The Issues: What Would the Candidates Like to See Developed on the Seeno Property?

Candidates running for mayor and the Benicia City Council are unanimous in focusing on the need to use economic development to drive the city out of its budget problems. Benicia has one large undeveloped parcel in the Industrial Park, the 528–acre Seeno property.   

The discussion surrounding development of the property generally focuses on two areas: What should the development look like? And how should the city protect neighborhoods from the impacts of the development? This Q&A looks at the vision for the future question. 

In the next Q&A we publish, the candidates will tell us how they will work to make the Majestic Theatre a jewel in our downtown rather than an under-utilized asset.

Today’s question:

What type of development would you like to see on the Seeno property?

City Council candidates

I’d like to see a high tech business park in a more campus style setting that brings in upper income jobs. Then again who’s not going to say something alone these lines. The reality is we need to first concentrate on refilling the existing industrial park that has about a 20% vacancy rate. Then we need to play to Benicia’s strengths of being an hour away from Sacramento, San Jose, San Francisco, and the Central Valley with a deep-water port and railroad access. Benicia is a great distribution point with a highly educated work force and a great place to live.  We need to market this and see where it goes in developing the Seeno property if Seeno will ever play ball. Personally I’d like to see a biotech business park but we can’t foreclose any options until we’ve considered the pros and cons.

The Council and Seeno had developed a very good plan with open space and a campus office setting. I would like to see a task force of stakeholders formed to work with Seeno to use that plan as the framework for development and business attraction.  I believe with that collaboration we can develop a better plan for both Seeno and the City of Benicia.

I support the modified Hillside Preservation option that was documented in the project Environmental Impact Report and modified in a signed agreement with the developer that was approved by the current City Council. I think it will result in a tenant mix to provide jobs that fit the employment profile of Benicia residents.  The EIR also calls for a fire station to be built, and I would want that to be a combined police-fire public safety facility that can compensate for the shortcomings of our antiquated police station. I would also like to see a restaurant built with a view of the beautiful Suisun Marsh and eastern Carquinez Strait.

A campus style development using class a buildings.  A hotel or motel.  Offices.  Classrooms.  I don't think concrete tilt-up buildings are the best use.  I'm not convinced that the commercial development needs to be at the end of the project to attract the freeway business.  It could be placed elsewhere in the project possibly.  I like the idea of a Trader Joes, but big box stores should be avoided.  Smaller, locally owned and operated retail stores would be more sustainable.

Mayoral Candidates

If and when the property owner (Seeno or otherwise) feels development at the site becomes economically viable again and brings forth a project, I would like to see biotech, medical instrumentation, green tech and computer related businesses as examples of industries represented in the core of the light industrial zoned area of the business park. This could include research, manufacturing, final assembly and sales.  An educational/research facility would be a plus.  Flexibility should be built into the plan as the economics of the project might necessitate other types of businesses and styles and could include some warehouse activities.

The highway commercial frontage area should include office, hotel, restaurant and retail businesses (think Trader Joes).  A truck stop/gas station need not apply.

I have pledged to uphold the adopted city resolution that spells out what kind of development is suitable for the Seeno property.  See elizabethformayor.com

The General Plan is the “vision” for the city and is also the law for land use.  The 1999 General Plan sets forth policies for development and these shape and direct the nature and character of development.  There have been no less that 5 public workshops over the years (most of them facilitated by MIG’s Daniel Iacofano) and the vision has been consistent:  a business park that provides jobs for Benicians of various levels from professional, management, and services to light manufacturing; a walkable development with services within the project rather than oriented to the freeway with fast foods; a project that protects the hills and minimizes the grading; a project that does not add storm water to existing drainage and uses low impact development design including LEED standards.  And, of course, a project that avoids air pollution due to traffic.

 Nov. 8, 2011, City Council and Mayor Election Handbook: Candidate Q&As, Bios and Voter Guides

Disclosure: Patch editor JB Davis was the campaign manager for Dan Smith in his successful campaign for City Council in 2001.  He has no involvement in Smith’s 2011 campaign.