Staff asks City Council to hold study sessions on two potential redevelopment proposals

Planning staff informed the Newark Planning Commission that the City Council is scheduled to hold study sessions on two project concepts that could involve changes to the general plan land-use map or zoning designations.

Mr. Turner (planning staff) told commissioners the study session format is intended to provide early, high-level feedback to property owners and developers so they can decide whether to file a formal application. He emphasized that study sessions do not constitute formal approvals and that environmental review and detailed development analysis would occur only after a formal application is filed.

Turner said one site is the Holbrook Lumber property on Cedar, a longtime family-owned business whose owners have indicated interest in selling. A developer associated with a Robson Homes concept has proposed townhome-style development that would mirror the nearby residential neighborhood and would include an offsite affordable-housing component as part of the overall concept.

The second site is at Gateway Boulevard and Jarvis, adjacent to an Aloft Hotel. Turner said that area includes two smaller office and medical buildings (one formerly occupied by DeVry University) that are largely vacant; the Jarvis developer is proposing a mix of townhomes plus a separate affordable-housing building on site. Turner noted the Jarvis site is zoned Business and Technology Park (BTP), while the Holbrook parcel sits in a light-industrial area.

Commissioners asked whether the Planning Commission would be included in such early briefings; Turner said the council is the decision-making body for legislative map changes but staff may adapt the process and consider greater early engagement with the commission in the future. Turner also reiterated staff has not performed environmental review or detailed site-standard analysis for either concept.

Commissioners recalled past joint meetings with council on large-area planning efforts and agreed to monitor the council study-session outcomes. Senior planner Carmelissa Lopez also announced that the commission’s next meeting (July 14) will include a presentation on proposed objective design standards.