North Study Area
UPDATE: Although the City was scheduled to complete the North Study Area community visioning process in Fall 2023, the effort was placed on hold following receipt of a preliminary housing application filed on August 17, 2023. Draft analysis resulting from the visioning process (
Land Use Scenarios Report,
Fiscal Analysis,
Feasibility Analysis) is available for information.
About the Visioning Process
The North Study Area visioning project aims to solicit public input on potential future land use options for the North Study Area property. Community input, together with an economic analysis and evaluation of the property conditions, will be used to develop several mixed-use concepts for further public review. Once completed, the landowner may determine whether to move forward with initiating land use applications which must include a “Master Plan” (i.e., Specific Plan) as required by the Benicia General Plan and Zoning Ordinance.
The study area is a 527-acre undeveloped property in the northeast corner of the city. The property is within the City’s urban growth boundary and fronts on Lake Herman Road and East Second Street. Although a number of site development proposals have been considered over the years, most recently in 2016, none have come to fruition. The property is currently zoned Limited Industrial (IL) and General Commercial (CG).
The City wants to partner with the community to envision the future of this area, which is the last remaining large tract of privately-owned undeveloped land within Benicia.
There will be a variety of opportunities to learn more about this effort and to provide feedback over the coming year. The City will solicit public input through a series of community meetings, public events, and on-line engagement opportunities. To receive the latest updates, you can sign up for project email notifications
here. The City expects to complete the visioning process by late 2023.
The North Study Area Community-Led Visioning Process is divided into the following primary tasks:
- Existing Conditions Review: Review of background materials and existing conditions information relevant to the visioning process.
- Economic Analysis: Analysis of real estate market conditions, financial feasibility of land use alternatives, and net annual fiscal impacts of land use alternatives.
- Issues and Options: Evaluation of key issues and options associated with development options.
- Mixed-use Concepts: Consideration of alternative land use concepts for the property.
- Summary Report: Summary of public input received and areas of consensus that emerged from the visioning process.
