Dixon asked to consider Flying J

Dixon asked to consider Flying J
By Melissa Murphy/ MMurphy@TheReporter.com
Posted: 07/20/2009

A rather large truck stop proposed to be built in Dixon has finally reached the Planning Commission for a decision.

City staff is suggesting that planning commissioners recommend to the City Council approval of the components with the Flying J Travel Plaza, including a draft development agreement.

City Manager Nancy Huston said that if everything goes according to plan, the proposal will be before the City Council on July 28 for a final decision.

The Flying J project consists of a 27-acre travel plaza that includes two pump islands, a combination convenience market, truckers' lounge and restaurant, and parking for trucks, passenger vehicles and recreational vehicles.

The project, according to a staff report, also would be responsible for construction of significant infrastructure improvements for water, sewer, storm drainage and traffic circulation. It also includes building a retention/detention basin located on the east side of Pedrick Road.

Initially, the application for Flying J was filed in 2004. Subsequently the applicant, Terrance Bride, on behalf of CFJ Properties and Flying J, applied in 2008 for two variances and three conditional use permits.

CFJ Properties is a partnership between Conoco Phillips Oil Company and The Flying J Corporation.

A staff report notes that Conoco Phillips, according to Fortune Magazine, is the fifth largest company in terms of revenue in the United States, while Flying J is currently under Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

Last year, at a meeting to discuss the responses to comments in the final Environmental Impact Report, commissioners decided that it would be best if the applicant paid for a report to determine how much revenue the project might generate for the city's general fund.

It is estimated, according to a staff report, that Flying J would generate $470,000 in combined new revenue, which includes, among other things, property tax, net new sales and public safety sales tax.

The Planning Commission also held a follow-up meeting in April.

Several residents have shared their concerns about traffic along Pedrick Road, which also feeds large tomato trucks into the Campbell Soup Supply Co.

Community Development Director Dave Dowswell explained in a staff report that the draft environmental impact report included an extensive and comprehensive transportation and traffic section that analyzed impacts under many scenarios and project conditions at the site.

The report identified possible safety risks on Professional Drive resulting from large trucks entering and exiting the site at the western most driveway while passenger vehicles exit at the eastern most driveway. Another possible risk involved increased truck volumes leading to deterioration in roadway pavement in the vicinity of the project.

At this time, city staff is not requiring the applicant to install the traffic signals at the two intersections concurrent with the project's development. Instead, the applicant will be required to contribute their fair share towards the cost of the signals if Caltrans, who has jurisdiction over Interstate 80 and the offramps, deems the signals necessary.

The Dixon Planning Commission meets at 7 p.m. in the City Council Chamber, 600 E. A St.