Flooding
Is the Village Farms Davis site in a FEMA floodplain?
What opponents claim: A portion of the Village Farms site is located within a FEMA 100-year floodplain, posing flood risk to future residents and potential liability to the City.
The facts: The site will be graded and engineered to meet 200-year flood protection standards before any construction is authorized. This exceeds FEMA requirements. FEMA will certify all lot elevations prior to building permits. No FEMA flood insurance will be required for any homes in the project. Over 400 acres of existing Davis housing currently remain within the FEMA 100-year floodplain.
Will Village Farms increase flood risk for the Wildhorse neighborhood?
What opponents claim: The project will increase stormwater runoff under Pole Line Road and into the Wildhorse neighborhood, raising flood risk for existing residents.
The facts: The project is engineered to maintain existing flow conditions by substantially increasing stormwater storage capacity within Channel A on the project site. The existing culvert under Pole Line Road, which physically limits the volume of water that can flow into the Wildhorse area, will remain in place and unchanged. The Wildhorse Golf Course was also designed to receive floodwaters as a protective measure for adjacent homes.
Soil and Groundwater Contamination
Is there groundwater contamination at the Village Farms Davis site from the Old Davis Landfill?
What opponents claim: Groundwater contamination from the adjacent Old Davis Landfill will pose health risks to future residents.
The facts: Continuous monitoring in six wells (three under the landfill, three under the project site) since the 1980s shows that all volatile organic compounds (VOCs) previously detected have fully dissipated and are no longer measurable. The project will rely exclusively on the City's municipal water system. All existing on-site wells will be permanently capped before construction. The Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board has confirmed in writing that no risk is posed to future residents under these conditions.
Will PFAS chemicals from Village Farms Davis contaminate the Yolo Bypass or Vic Fazio Wildlife Refuge?
What opponents claim: PFAS compounds detected in groundwater beneath the project will migrate into Channel A and ultimately into the Yolo Bypass, harming the Vic Fazio Wildlife Refuge.
The facts: The existing Channel A is unlined. The new channel will be lined with an impervious layer, preventing groundwater infiltration from the site into the channel. The project's EIR concludes there is no substantial evidence that project runoff would transport groundwater into the downstream system.
Is the soil at the Village Farms community park contaminated with toxaphene or lead?
What opponents claim: Toxaphene and lead in soils at the future community park location will expose children to health risks.
The facts: These contaminants were found in a limited number of discrete locations near a former on-site homestead. Prior to any construction, the California Department of Toxic Substances Control will oversee and certify complete removal and remediation of all affected soil to non-detectable levels.
Are arsenic levels dangerous at the Village Farms Davis site?
What opponents claim: Soil imported from the Agricultural Transition Area to the north contains dangerously high arsenic levels that will contaminate the entire project site.
The facts: Extensive soil testing (to a depth of 10 feet) in the Agricultural Transition Area shows naturally occurring arsenic averaging 7.0 mg/kg. This is slightly below the average of 7.1 mg/kg already present on the project site, and both figures are well below the regional average of 10.0 mg/kg. These levels do not present a health risk to future residents.
Traffic and Transportation
How will Village Farms Davis affect traffic on Covell Boulevard and Pole Line Road?
What opponents claim: The project will generate significant traffic increases on Pole Line Road and Covell Boulevard, creating dangerous conditions for drivers and cyclists.
The facts: The project's central location places it within walking or biking distance of 18 existing bus stops served by six Unitrans routes and two Yolo Bus routes, four K-12 schools within three-quarters of a mile, and shopping directly across the street. Required project improvements include two grade-separated crossings (one under Pole Line Road, one over F Street and the UPRR tracks), over 7 miles of new multi-use trails, new Class I bike paths along site frontages, and signal and intersection upgrades at multiple locations along the Covell corridor.
Does Village Farms Davis include grade-separated bike and pedestrian crossings?
What opponents claim: The project does not include grade-separated crossings of Pole Line Road or the railroad tracks at F Street.
The facts: The project is required to fully fund both a below-grade bicycle/pedestrian crossing under Pole Line Road near Nugget Fields and an above-grade crossing over F Street and the Union Pacific Railroad tracks, with a landing near Northstar Pond.
Habitat and Natural Resources
Will Village Farms Davis destroy wetlands and wildlife habitat?
What opponents claim: The project will destroy wetland habitat and endanger rare plants and wildlife.
The facts: The project will place approximately 47.1 acres of alkali playa and wetland habitat under permanent conservation easement, with a perpetual endowment for ongoing maintenance. This area includes associated watershed and a development buffer. The easement will be developed in coordination with qualified land trust organizations and per California Department of Fish and Wildlife guidelines.
How many trees will be removed for Village Farms Davis?
What opponents claim: The project will permanently remove approximately one thousand trees along Channel A, eliminating critical wildlife habitat.
The facts: The Final EIR identifies several hundred trees along the existing Channel A corridor for removal, of which 45 are native species. All removed trees will be replaced with drought-resistant species per City requirements. Approximately 4,000 additional drought-resistant trees will be planted throughout the project, resulting in a significant net increase in the overall tree canopy.
Housing Costs and Affordability
How much will homes cost at Village Farms Davis?
What opponents claim: The minimum price for a home at Village Farms will be $740,000, making the project accessible only to high-income buyers.
The facts: The $740,000 figure comes from a City-commissioned fiscal impact study (BAE Associates) that used it as an estimated average sales price for medium-density units based on current Davis market data. It was not a minimum or floor price. The project includes over 1,000 lots smaller than 5,000 sq ft, designed for townhouses and smaller single-family or half-plex homes. Using the same $425/sq ft assumption from the fiscal study, market-rate for-sale homes on these smaller lots are estimated to start in the $400,000s. That is less than half the current Davis median resale price.
Is the affordable housing at Village Farms Davis guaranteed to be built?
What opponents claim: The 360 dedicated affordable units are unlikely to be built because the developer has no binding obligation to construct them.
The facts: The affordable housing commitment is supported by an irrevocable dedication of 16 acres of land and an additional $6 million contribution that must be spent to construct the units. The plan represents 20% of total units, exceeds the City's Housing Ordinance, and was structured at the City's direction to maximize the likelihood of construction financing. This is the largest single affordable housing land and funding contribution made by any developer in Davis history.