Why is the proposed growth concentrated in the southeast corner of Dixon? Does that hurt downtown businesses?

The proposed growth areas are typically identified based on a mix of factors like available land, infrastructure capacity and where services such as roads, water and sewer can be extended most efficiently. In Dixon, the City’s wastewater plan is located over a mile south of the current city limits. It is also important to recognize that development is largely driven by private property decisions. The City does not control where developers purchase land or where property owners decide to sell, but it can guide how growth happens once proposals are brought forward.

Growth in one part of the city does not automatically take away from downtown. In fact, planning efforts often aim to strengthen connections between new neighborhoods and the existing downtown so businesses continue to serve as a central hub for shopping, dining and community activity. The City encourages development proposals that connect to existing amenities through features like trails, sidewalks and roadway connections. For example, projects such as Harvest include walking and biking connections into areas like Hall Park, helping residents more easily access downtown and other parts of the community.

In Dixon, the goal is to support both areas at the same time. New neighborhoods can increase the overall customer base while investments in roads, connectivity and design standards help maintain a small-town feel and keep downtown accessible and active.