Harbison complex back to Planning Commission

A 160-unit apartment complex project at the corner of Harbison and Ulatis drives will return to the Vacaville Planning Commission at its Tuesday meeting.

The commission will consider reaffirming the environmental report and planned development requests in light of changes to the project since its last approval.

Back in March, the commission approved a request by Rich Alexander of Guardian Commercial Real Estate to construct a 168-unit senior- only apartment complex at the corner of Harbison and Ulatis, next to the Vacaville Transportation Center and across from the Ulatis Cultural Center and Bethany Lutheran School. However, a recent staff report indicated that Alexander decided not to restrict the project only to seniors after assessing market conditions and concluding that most seniors would

not be able to afford marketrate rent without subsidies.

Moreover, the development of the Strada 1200 Apa r tments mot ivat ed Alexander to change the plans for the Harbison project, particularly with Strada’s 1200 residents expressing interest in having a larger outdoor yard area.

“Based on this understanding and other contributing factors, the applicant decided to revise the project and submit the proposed townhome- style apartment project,” the report’s author wrote.

T he current plan includes 64 two- bedroom u n its and 96 th r e e - b e d r o om u n its in 21 three- stor y buildings, a 7,400- square foot clubhouse with a swimming pool and 356 covered and uncovered parking spaces. The complex would be primarily accessible through Harbison Drive, with secondary access adjoining Ulatis Drive to the south.

According to the report, the application also calls for variations to building setbacks and parking standards. These include decreasing the number of parking stalls from 373 to 356, reducing building setbacks on Ulatis Drive from 40 to 24 feet and reduc

ing the building setback on Harbison Drive from 4o to 33 feet.

“T he applicant is requesting these variations to primarily accommodate the new townhome- style buildings, which are closer to the street,” the report’s author wrote. “In addition, the building setback variation along Ulatis Drive is needed to accommodate the City’s request for additional right- of-way.”

The project is located on an 8.86-acre vacant parcel which was the site of an orchard from at least 1937 to 1993, per the report. Orchard trees remained on the property until last year, and the land is being graded in accordance with

the previously approved site plan.

In accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act, environmental review is not required for the project because it “is consistent with density, zoning and general plan policies for which an Environmental Impact Report ( EIR) was certified,” the report’s author wrote.

T he project was also found to be consistent with the previously approved environmental determination for the Harbison Senior Apartments.

Staff is recommending the commission approve the project.

In other business, the commission will receive

an update on the Downtown Specific Plan.

T he commission w ill meet at 6 p. m. Tuesday. The meeting can be v iewed on Channel 26 or on the city’s YouTube page at Yout ube. c om/ channel/ UCLC4Gd7Z 4rwlWOciZVhlJJw. Viewers who would like to participate in the meeting can join at Cov. zoom.us/j/958 36284733? pwd=Z1lQWm5 xRnAzMEZIR2pxUFpTNlhmdz09 using the password “67777 1” and the “Raise hand” function.

They may also join by phone at 87 7- 853 - 5257 or 888- 475- 4499. Participants may dial *67 to keep their number from appearing on the screen.