The Future of Davis is Rooted in Community: Why I Support Village Farms

By Linda Deos

As a member of the Davis City Council, my primary responsibility is to look toward the horizon. I am constantly asking: How do we preserve the soul of the city we love while ensuring it remains a viable, vibrant home for the next generation? Since the initial planning application for Village Farms was submitted in April 2023, I have engaged deeply with the details, the data, and—most importantly—the residents.

Over the last three years, this project has undergone rigorous public scrutiny, environmental review, and repeated refinement. After witnessing this collaborative process and reviewing the robust commitments secured in the project’s Baseline Features, I am proud to support Measure V. Village Farms Davis is not just another housing development; it is a meticulously planned extension of our community values.

Infrastructure That Connects Us

One of the most compelling aspects of Village Farms is its commitment to connectivity. Davis has long been the “Bicycle Capital of America,” but maintaining that title requires more than just nostalgia; it requires bold investment. Village Farms delivers this through two transformative pieces of infrastructure: the F Street bike and pedestrian overcrossing and the Pole Line Road undercrossing.

These are not mere “amenities.” They are essential safety improvements that bridge the gap between neighborhoods. The F Street overcrossing will provide a dedicated, grade-separated path that allows families and commuters to bypass heavy traffic, making active transportation the easiest and safest choice. Similarly, the Pole Line undercrossing addresses a long-standing bottleneck, ensuring that as our city grows, our ability to move through it without a car remains a reality. These investments reflect a vision of Davis where the bicycle remains the primary vehicle for community connection.

A Meaningful Commitment to Affordability

We often talk about the “missing middle” and the struggle for young families, teachers, and service workers to find a home in Davis. Village Farms takes a decisive step toward solving this. The project’s generous Affordable Housing commitments go beyond the standard requirements. By integrating a diverse range of housing types—from deed-restricted affordable units to innovative small footprint market rate to create housing for all ages and income levels can afford—Village Farms ensures that Davis remains a multi-generational community.

This is about equity. It is about ensuring that the people who work in our shops, teach in our schools, and staff our local businesses can actually afford to live in the city they serve. Since the 2023 submittal, the developer has significantly strengthened these commitments, including a $6 million contribution to the city’s housing trust fund and 16 acres of dedicated land for 100% affordable projects. This proposal provides the variety and volume of housing necessary to fill the gap in our housing market.

Integrity Guaranteed by the Voters

A common concern with large-scale projects is the fear of “bait and switch”—that the promises made today might be negotiated away tomorrow. This is where the Baseline Features of Village Farms are revolutionary. These features are legally binding and, thanks to our local land-use ordinances (Measures J, R, and D), they cannot be altered without another vote of the people.

When we talk about the 47 acres of protected habitat, the carbon-neutral energy goals, or the specific traffic mitigation measures, we aren’t talking about suggestions. These are locked-in guarantees. This structure puts the power exactly where it belongs: in the hands of Davis voters. It ensures that the high bar we have set for this project remains high through every phase of construction.

Environmental Stewardship and Protected Space

Davis has always been a leader in environmental policy, and Village Farms honors that legacy. The inclusion of 47 acres of permanently protected habitat is a testament to the project’s “land-first” philosophy. This space isn’t just “leftover” land; it is a functional, managed ecosystem designed to support local biodiversity and provide a natural buffer.

Beyond the habitat, the project’s commitment to environmental sustainability is exhaustive. From all-electric building requirements to integrated water conservation systems and onsite agricultural components, Village Farms functions as a living laboratory for sustainable urban growth. It proves that we can add homes while simultaneously reducing our per-capita environmental footprint.

Addressing Traffic and Growth Responsibly

I have listened to many neighbors express their concerns about traffic. It is a valid concern, and one that has been addressed with unprecedented rigor during the environmental impact report process. The commitments to traffic improvements are robust, focusing on optimizing existing intersections and funding regional improvements that benefit more than just the new residents. By emphasizing internal “walkability” and providing the aforementioned bike crossings, Village Farms is designed to internalize trips, keeping cars off our main arterials whenever possible.

Growth is inevitable, but it must be managed with intention. Since 2023, we have had the time to hammer out the specifics, ensuring that this project doesn’t just “fit” in Davis, but improves it. We have a choice: we can allow Davis to become an exclusive enclave, or we can embrace a future that is inclusive, sustainable, and connected.

A Vote for Our Values

Over the last three years, I have seen the Village Farms team listen, adapt, and strengthen their proposal based on community and Council feedback. What started as a strong application in April 2023 has evolved into a project that truly reflects the unique spirit of Davis.

Village Farms Davis offers a path forward that protects our environment, builds the homes we desperately need, and invests in the infrastructure that defines us. It is a project rooted in the belief that Davis’s best days are ahead of us. I invite you to join me in supporting this vision. Let’s choose a future where our children can afford to live, where our commuters can bike safely, and where our natural habitats are preserved for generations to come.

Please join me in voting Yes on Measure V.

Linda Deos is a Councilmember for the City of Davis.