Rebuttals to for-and-against ballot arguments are now available

Roberta Millstein

In an earlier article, I posted the for and against arguments for the Village Farms project. The rebuttals to each of these arguments are now available on the County’s website, and I have pasted them below. Village Farms is subject to a Measure J/R/D vote of all Davis citizens and has been assigned as Measure V.

Here is the rebuttal to the argument in favor of Village Farms that will appear on our ballots in June (the rebuttal to the argument against follows after that):

Village Farms cheapest market rate house would be $740,000, up to $1,300,000 which most local workers and families with young children CANNOT AFFORD. So, how would this help schools?

It would bring over 15,000 more car trips DAILY near Covell Blvd. and Pole Line Road causing gridlock and Level of Service “F.”         

The developer is not responsible for building the affordable housing, except potentially 100 units in the last phase of the project. Does this seem like a good plan?

Track record matters! This developer HAS NOT built his Nishi housing project after 7 years.

Village Farms is county land, NOT INFILL (City of Davis General Plan.)

Village Farms has TOXICS including carcinogenic PFAS “forever chemicals” leaking from adjacent unlined Old Davis Landfill and Sewage Treatment Plant, potentially contaminating Channel A, habitat and waterways to Sacramento River. Who wants to risk toxics exposure to their family or the environment? 

Why are Davis residents asked to vote on Village Farms without a verified flood control plan, potentially exposing Davis to FLOODING RISKS due to the 200-acre floodplain and rerouting Channel A? 

Village Farms was fast-tracked, prioritizing this developer’s desire for the June ballot, a project with serious impacts, unresolved problems, infrastructure costs, and potential liability to Davis long-term.

Davis has a certified Housing Element until 2030. There is no rush to approve Village Farms now. There are better alternatives like the “reduced footprint” alternative below Channel A, with significantly less impacts. Davis CANNOT AFFORD the liability of Village Farms flooding and toxics exposure risks. 

Vote No on Measure V!

NoOnMeasureV.org

/s/ Marjorie Longo
Professor of Chemical Engineering, Emeritus

/s/ Robert Marr
Former Yolo Land Trust Board Member

/s/ Nicholas Pinter
Professor of Geology

/s/ Dapo Okupe
Retired Cal Trans Senior Transportation Engineer

/s/ Michael Reynolds
Physician

Here is the rebuttal to the argument against Village Farms:

In Davis, a very small, vocal group of nearby residents will try anything to stop new families from moving into their backyard – throwing everything at the wall to see what sticks. None of it does.

Here are the facts from Village Farms Davis’ independently reviewed Environmental Impact Report, a 5,000+ page analysis that was fully vetted and unanimously certified:

Highest Standard of Flood Protection:

Village Farms Davis is engineered to California’s most rigorous 200-year flood protection standards, more flood-resilient than almost anywhere in Davis. FEMA-certified; no flood insurance required.

Largest Affordable Housing Contribution in Davis History:

16 acres plus $6,000,000 toward construction is by a wide margin the most generous affordable housing contribution in Davis history — 360 units serving very low to moderate income households far exceeds requirements. 

Additionally, over 70% of market-rate homes will be townhomes, half-plexes, and smaller homes, making homeownership possible for younger families with modest incomes.

Safe Living:

All organic contaminants identified decades ago are now completely gone. The Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board determined there is “no risk” to future residents.

Transportation Improvements:

Village Farms Davis is required to improve transportation and bicycle/pedestrian safety. Measure V provides millions for improvements citywide — including traffic signal coordination. 

Furthermore, housing for tens of thousands of daily commuters to UCD means fewer cars on roads.

Completes Davis Bike Loop:

Two bike/pedestrian crossings connecting Northstar Park to Wildhorse cannot be removed without another public vote.

Village Farms Davis is smart community planning — at the right time, in the best location, by trusted locals. 

Check the facts: VillageFarmsDavis.com/Myths&Facts

Vote Yes on Measure V

/s/ Hiram Jackson
DJUSD School Board President

/s/ Alan Pryor
Former City of Davis Natural Resources Commissioner

/s/ Heather Caswell
Small Business Owner

/s/ Patrick Huber
Conservation Scientist

/s/ Helen M. Thomson
Former California Assembly Member