The Benicia City Council will discuss the Yuba demolition permit and update the mediation and the request for a rehearing on the issue.
In October 2016, Automobile import company Amports filed for an emergency demolition permit for the Foundry and Office buildings on East H Street. The buildings were constructed in the 1850s and, under the ownership of Yuba Industries, were the hub of industrial activity for more than a century. In recent decades, the buildings have been subject to vandalism, squatters and even fires. The Historic Preservation Review Commission brought the case to the Building Board of Appeals, who came to a split decision in February. It was later brought to the council in March, which voted 3-2 to uphold the appeal, have staff go through the process of enforcing the existing ordinance, have Amports secure the property and begin the process of identifying stabilization approaches and establishing affirmative maintenance.
The council last heard the update on the the Yuba demolition on July 19. There was confirmation by Council to keep the previous direction of continuing the meditation for 90 days and replace Councilmember Tom Campbell with Mayor Elizabeth Patterson on the mediation team. There was also a discussion by the council to have a smaller group and allow the mediation to progress more quickly. AMPORTS sent a letter declining to proceed with the mediation.
In a letter sent to the council by law firm DLA PIPER, Mark McKeen wrote, “Despite the Chief Building Offical’s conclusion that the buildings must be demolished, the city of Benicia has disregarded her detailed findings and thereby disregarded the significant risk to the public and the city’s first responders (e.g., fire fighters, police officers and emergency medical technicians) who will respond to the extent that there is an emergency event at the buildings, something the city’s retained experts believe is just a matter of time.”
Staff is recommending the council consider and grant Amports’ request and schedule the rehearing for Oct. 17.
Also on tonight’s agenda, the council will review the draft of the cannabis-related ordinance. On Sept. 5, the City Council asked staff to provide a draft of a cannabis ordinance. Staff gave the council several ordinances with two options being highlighted. The first ordinance deals with public safety, while the second relates to zoning and could set forth the zoning standards of cannabis in Benicia. The multiple ordinances will be presented to various boards, commissions and groups before being shown to the Planning Commission. The Planning Commission then will review the input from the various groups and make a recommendation to the City Council on Oct. 12. It has been recommended the council review the draft ordinance and provide any comments.
The council will meet at 6:30 p.m. tonight in a closed session to discuss legal matters. The regular meeting will start at 7 in the Council Chambers at City Hall, located at 250 East L St.

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