Seeno makes concessions to win another chance

Seeno makes concessions to win another chance
By Tony Burchyns/Times-Herald staff writer
Posted: 02/19/2009

BENICIA -- Planning for the controversial Seeno business park will move forward, but the Benicia Unified School District is still demanding answers to health and safety concerns regarding one elementary school.

Late Tuesday night, the City Council unanimously rescinded its November denial of the industrial mixed-use project. Last fall, a council majority had rejected the project in part due to public concerns over increased auto traffic and pollution.

When completed, the Seeno development is expected to cover more than 200 acres of Benicia's open space.

Tuesday night's vote was a major victory for developer Albert Seeno III, whose family owns the property in northeast Benicia. Project supporters hope it brings high-paying jobs and more green-tech industries to the area.

The victory also included a switch by Mayor Elizabeth Patterson, a longtime Seeno and project foe.

Patterson secured key developer concessions that she says will help protect Benicia's environmental and economic interests and involve the city in every step of the project.

"I am not happy, nor am I content," Patterson said. "But I am pleased with the resolution to establish what I consider the Holy Trinity of planning and development ... a specific plan, an environmental impact report ... and a development agreement to give certainty to how we are going to do all this."

Patterson went on to say, "I am pleased Mr. Seeno kept his word, that he was willing to take a risk (on a new city-led planning process), and was willing to respect the citizens."

Benicia school officials at the meeting, however, were not as satisfied. They said the school board was denied an opportunity to meet about the critical developer concessions before the council acted.

Environmental impacts on Robert Semple Elementary School have been a key concern for residents and district officials. The proposed development would be built less than a mile away, along East Second Street and Lake Herman Road, with a major roadway to the site passing by the school.

In response to public concerns, Seeno's Discovery Builders Inc. of Concord will be required to pay for more environmental, traffic and economic studies anda so-called specific plan to determine if, when and how any development can proceed.

A council-appointed oversight committee and a city-appointed project manager funded by Discovery Builders also will monitor the planning process.

One school district bone of contention is Seeno's reluctance to reimburse the district for 10 months of legal expenses, totaling abut $46,000. District officials say the money paid for expert advice on environmental risks to the school.

"I am really concerned about what (negotiating in) good faith really means with that company, and with him personally," school board president Rosie Switzer said of Seeno's Discovery Builders.

On Wednesday, Patterson expressed confidence that the developer will help the district offset its legal costs.

A new 18-month planning process could start in March, leading to initial construction in 2012. The likely would take more than 10 years to complete.

Contact staff writer Tony Burchyns at (707) 553-6831 or tburchyns@thnewsnet.com