The City/Kimley-Horn’s decision to solicit community input for one of Tracy’s largest potential developments – the Westside Specific Plan – during the summer break was a bad albeit strategic decision. Local governments are notorious for pushing through controversial projects during times that people are most occupied – July 4th, Thanksgiving, Christmas, etc. The summer is no different. The kids are out of school and people travel. And people are traveling even more this summer following a year of lockdown from Covid. With all this in mind, it isn’t surprising then that the City encouraged their consultants to solicit community input during this time.
The City is also moving expeditiously on this project given that City Manager Jenny Haruyama is heading out the door. Council Member Veronica Vargas and wealthy independent developer and major Westside property owner Mike Sandhu want to do as much as they can before Haruyama leaves for Beaverton, Oregon. (Read more about their relationship here.) Vargas has spearheaded moving through Sandhu’s development intentions for the former Tracy Gateway site with the help of Haruyama. The City Manager has the final authority to put items on the council’s agendas, so as long as she’s in office, the taxpayers are at her mercy.
Still time – but not much time - to have your voice heard!
The City is still accepting public feedback until August 4th. To submit your comments and to take the survey click here.
Per the community meeting, planning staff indicated that they intend to bring the recommended land use designation before the city on August 17th. The City Council is the deciding body on the future zoning and land use designation for the Westside Specific Plan.
· August 4th – Public Comment Period Closes
· August 17th – Target Date for City Council to Make Decision
Westside major property owner Mike Sandhu wants the land use to be industrial/warehouse zoning.
Mike Sandhu wants warehouses, Prologis or otherwise, developed on that site. He also wants dense housing. If he can’t have housing, then he wants warehouses. The amount of diesel truck and additional vehicle traffic warehouses will generate is not his concern. Safety is not his concern. He doesn’t care about the neighbors that live in the area. His main focus is revenue generation for Mike Sandhu. More background on this issue can be found here.
Tracy Gateway was not sold as industrial development.
The main reason a majority of residents were in support of Tracy Gateway was the objective to bring sustainable, well-paying jobs to Tracy. Tracy does not want to be a bedroom for the Bay Area. The city lacks high paying jobs that will allow residents an opportunity to live and work comfortably in the city the live. Warehouse jobs are not high-paying jobs. Warehouse jobs do not allow people to buy a new home in Tracy, a city which is short on affordable housing options.
The Westside Specific Plan area is a major gateway into Tracy. The last thing the city needs is for massive warehouses to welcome people into Tracy. Tracy needs sustainable jobs, growth opportunities, and additional retail options.