Dixon back on track to create Priority Development Area
“The second-time could be the charm in Dixon as the city revisits a partnership with the Solano Transportation Authority in a plan that could help revitalize its downtown and surrounding areas.
The pairing had been rejected last month but was approved on Tuesday, despite continued concerns regarding eminent domain and the city retaining its powers of authority.
The heated debate stemmed from the proposed development of a Priority Development Area (PDA) plan for downtown Dixon, which would allow the city to compete for a larger pool of transit funding than it is now eligible for. Some council members and residents had expressed concern that those living and doing business within the designated PDA could be subject to eminent domain.
They also worried that the contractual agreement between the city and the STA was still vague enough to possibly strip the City Council of its rights regarding the PDA and give it instead to outside agencies.
The matter was summarily voted down 3-1 in January, with Vice Mayor Thom Bogue, who led the charge, and councilmen Steve Bird and Jerry Castanon dissenting. Councilman Dane Besneatte was absent from those proceedings.
Bogue, at that meeting and in a previous interview with The Reporter, had addressed the eminent domain and city authority issues. But in a letter to The Reporter following the January meeting, he said his decision was only about not wanting to hand over all local control to the STA.”
Fu, Kimberly. The Reporter News 1 March 2014.