City Council holding virtual study session on Eastern Gateway Study

The Benicia City Council is having a Virtual Study Session on the Eastern Gateway Study on Tuesday at 7 p.m.

This is another opportunity to learn about the project and provide feedback.

The City of Benicia is proposing to create a new mixed-use district that allows by-right mixed use or multi-family housing development, subject to objective zoning and design standards that will be developed in conjunction with this district.

The proposed project area encompasses approximately 13.5 acres of an existing commercial corridor at the intersection of Military East and East Fifth Street.

The intention of the study is to establish zoning that will accommodate new multi-family housing in the area, which could serve a range of incomes and occupants as it is located within a one-half mile distance of the downtown core and has existing bus transit service.

The study area is conceptual and may be modified as Benicia collects community input and further evaluates the district. Both a primary and secondary study area are delineated to differentiate between the primary focus area, which is an existing commercial corridor, and neighboring parcels that are not commercial but may be studied for potential inclusion.

This new district would allow streamlined permitting for multi-family housing. The project will also include community outreach, an amendment to the General Plan, and environmental review required by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).

Instructions on how to participate in the workshop as well as meeting materials may be found in the meeting agenda, available at www.ci.benicia.ca.us/agendas under Upcoming Events.

Info on the Eastern Gateway Project is available at https://www.ci.benicia.ca.us/easterngateway.

If you have questions or comments, reach out to Associate Planner Danielle Crider at (707) 746-4324 or dcrider@ci.benicia.ca.us.