DIXON, Calif. - The Dixon City Council received an informational update Sept. 15 on proposed amendments to General Plan 2040 that would establish a long-term framework for land use, transportation and infrastructure planning.

The update demonstrated how feedback collected through the Dixon Grown initiative has influenced the planning process. Residents said future planning should preserve Dixon’s small-town character, manage growth, protect farmland and address traffic, infrastructure and public services.

In response, the City reduced the proposed growth areas to roughly 3,003 acres, scaled back the area north of Interstate 80 and identified longer-term areas outside the Sphere of Influence as Areas of Interest, where no development or annexation is proposed.

PlaceWorks planner Mark Teague said the City’s 30-year model compares anticipated project phasing with “approximately a 3% annual increase in units.” Based on staff estimates, projected growth would average approximately 2.7% annually. “When you look at the Measure B rate of growth and what we’ve done, we’ve stayed true to that,” Mayor Steve Bird said. “I don’t want to grow bigger or faster than we’re able to.”

Community Development Director Raffi Boloyan noted that the City last expanded its Sphere of Influence in 1996. “Our belief is that the most prudent course of action is to plan our future, not react to our future,” Boloyan said. “The plan is to study potential growth areas so we can establish what we want to see there and make sure it is in line with our vision.”

Long-term planning will examine issues raised by residents, including growth boundaries, agricultural buffers, infrastructure, traffic and improvements to Pedrick Road, State Route 113 and I-80. The General Plan amendment is being prepared in conjunction with the City’s environmental review of the proposed Harvest at Dixon and Lombardo Ranch developments.

City Attorney Douglas White explained that state law requires the City to accept and process covered development applications. Processing an application, however, does not mean approving the project or agreeing to initiate annexation; the City Council retains its discretion throughout the review process, and applicants proceed knowing there is no guaranteed outcome.

“Nobody is rushing toward annexation,” White said. “This process started several years ago, and it still has at least a year, at best, before we’ll get to a vote.”

White also addressed requests to put annexation to a public vote, explaining that state housing law limits the ability of both the City Council and voters to add such requirements. He encouraged residents to stay involved regardless of their position on the proposals.

Council members emphasized that no decision has been made and that community input will continue to guide the process.

Councilmember Thom Bogue noted the amount of information that goes into each decision. “We can't make decisions in a vacuum,” Bogue said. "It doesn't matter how big or how small the project is. There's just so much information you have to have.”

“There is going to be growth. And we have to face that reality. But we have to do it together,” said Mayor Steve Bird. “It’s a community effort, folks. And we’re only going to do that by continuing to have these conversations and put our heads together to see what really works for all of us.”

The next anticipated steps include a Planning Commission update on Nov. 10 and the release of the Draft Environmental Impact Report and draft General Plan amendment for public review in early 2027.

To learn more and follow future opportunities to participate, visit DixonGrown.com.