Davis commission backs Willow Grove design changes, urges expanded native plantings and culvert removal

The Davis Open Space and Habitat Commission on its February agenda reviewed the Willow Grove development (the former Shriners site) and passed a series of recommendations asking the applicant and city staff to strengthen habitat protections, add native plantings and tree cover, limit long-term irrigation in open-space areas, and remove an on-site pump and culvert where doing so would not substantially delay permitting.

Eric Lee, the city’s senior planner, told commissioners the project has been under review for several years, a draft environmental impact report was open for public comment through January, and staff expects public hearings and reports in the coming months before summer. Staff framed the commission’s role as advisory on open-space, buffer and habitat components ahead of those hearings. Vanessa Eric Hardy, outreach lead for the applicant team, said the development would deliver parks, green belts, nearly 3 miles of trails, a 19.2-acre community park, more than 2,500 new trees and housing targeted to the “missing middle,” and that 43% of homes would be affordable in some form (20% deed-restricted plus 23% attainable product).

Why it matters: Commissioners and neighbors focused on the Wild Horse agricultural buffer and a linear watercourse called Channel A. The applicant team said it is providing a 50-foot avoidance buffer for Channel A, redesigned stormwater detention and bioretention basins to treat runoff before an engineered outfall to Channel A, and is pursuing state and federal permits. The applicant and their wetland scientist,…