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Vacaville presents neighborhood-focused Markham Cowan plan process, outreach and next steps
Summary
Staff described community engagement and technical work under way for the Markham Cowan neighborhood plan, including outreach in English and Spanish, a technical advisory committee, and a timeline that projects a draft plan in September and council consideration late 2025 to early 2026.
Vacaville City staff and consultant Minter Harnish provided an informational brief on the Markham Cowan neighborhood plan, a community-driven project intended to identify a neighborhood vision, goals and recommended actions to improve housing, public facilities and economic opportunities in the area northeast of downtown.
Staff told the Planning Commission the city executed a professional services agreement with Minter Harnish in December and initiated work with the consultant in January 2025. The plan area includes a mix of single- and multifamily housing, Edwin Markham Elementary School, the Boys and Girls Club, Opportunity House, the Rocky Hill Trail and other community facilities. Staff said outreach has included pop-ups, stakeholder interviews, bilingual outreach, a neighborhood opinion survey and an existing-conditions workbook and an issues-and-opportunities report that organizes findings by community character, local services, transportation and other themes.
Commissioners pressed staff on safety, services and whether the plan will change zoning. Commissioner Beaumont summarized demographic findings and asked, “How is this gonna improve that?” Stephanie (senior planner) answered that the plan will consider a mix of strategies—neighborhood watch, police coordination, lighting and youth programs—and that the report will surface specific actions for further work. Commissioner Banta asked how this neighborhood plan differs from the larger Peabody Allison PDA project; staff replied that the Markham Cowan plan is a smaller, community-focused effort funded by about $100,000 of ARPA money and is intended as a grassroots roadmap to guide future city actions rather than a zoning or General Plan amendment.
Staff noted the technical advisory committee includes staff from the city manager’s office, economic development, housing and community services, police, fire, public works and parks and recreation. A draft plan is scheduled for public review and Planning Commission consideration in September, with potential City Council action in late 2025 or early 2026. Staff recommended the commission receive the informational presentation; no formal action was taken.
