At its regular meeting Tuesday, the Benicia City Council heard an annual report from the Planning Commission; a monthly water update from multiple city department representatives; a request for approval of a marketing contract for Industrial Park business development; a proposed ¼-cent sales tax initiative for the November, 2016 ballot; and a request for amendments […]
Planning Commission speaks on signage, zoning at Thursday’s meeting
At its regular meeting Thursday, the Planning Commission considered an appeal of staff’s decision to deny a First Street business sign permit, and a proposed zoning amendment pertaining to affordable housing density requirements, among other actions. Principal Planner Amy Million presented the staff report pertaining to the zoning amendment. The summary of the amendment states […]
Candidate Spotlight: Planning Commissioner Steve Young will make bid for City Council
Steve Young, a current member of Benicia’s Planning Commission, is looking to make the leap to the City Council. Young’s decision to run was partly influenced by the Council’s decision to delay Valero’s Crude-By-Rail Project rather than deny the refinery a permit to have its crude oil delivered by railroad rather than by boat. The […]
Planning panel learns to read DEIR
Benicia Planning Commission is the panel that will decide — at least initially — whether the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) on the Valero Crude-by-Rail Project should be certified. Meanwhile, a few other projects that have come across the Community Development Department’s desks also may require similar in-depth examination of their effects on the environment. That’s […]
Planning Commission prepares for release of oil-by-rail report
Several residents spoke out Thursday about the proposed Valero Benicia Refinery Crude-by-Rail project, which would add train track to the refinery’s own property so Union Pacific could deliver domestic crude oil, replacing some of the oil currently supplied to Valero by oceanic tanker ships. Residents speaking to the Planning Commission asked that the public get […]
Planning Commission backs new food truck ordinance
Panel OKs zoning exception for B&B Benicia Planning Commission has recommended the City Council change its zoning ordinance to allow food trucks by permit in the Benicia Industrial Park. But the panel also urged the Council to ask staff to find a way to protect food trucks that have operated for years in other parts […]