Work session on Bonanza Park small area plan and five-acre site RFP; no votes
June 27, 2024, 3:00 p.m. · City Council Chambers, 445 Marsac Avenue
On June 27, 2024 the council held a work session on the Bonanza Park small area plan, where presenters reviewed six goals and projected most streets would fail by 2032, and a public hearing was opened and closed. The council also discussed what to include in the five-acre site RFP: previously agreed items were no City Hall on the site, underground parking, a mix of market-rate and affordable housing, local-focused retail and a standalone one-acre Kimball Art Center building; members favored about 20 percent market-rate housing, 20 percent retail and one acre of open space. The small area plan item was continued to July 11. No motions or votes were recorded.
From the approved minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
Agenda, item by item
Item II.A · General plan
Bonanza Park small area plan discussion
Continued
Goals: mixed use, keeping the area local, user-friendly streets, inclusion and affordable housing, green space, and culture and public art. Parigian asked how community benefits would be ranked to justify a density bonus; Ciraco worried a point system would invite gaming and asked to define the Frontage Protection Zone better; Rubell said density would worsen traffic but wanted the area connected and vibrant. Dickey asked for a section-by-section discussion on July 11. Continued to July 11. No vote.
Item II.B · Public hearing
Public hearing on the Bonanza Park small area plan
Discussed
Four speakers, including former Planning Commissioners, said the proposal would be too intense or that height limits were the main barrier to development; one argued step-back buildings are inefficient for housing; one asked for code provisions for existing businesses facing parking requirements. Opened and closed; no vote.
Item II.C · Development
Bonanza Park five-acre site project discussion: RFP contents
Discussed
Rubell preferred a 50,000 square foot retail and non-housing scenario and about 20 percent market-rate housing; Parigian agreed; Dickey wanted a target of 60 percent of area median income with a varied mix; Toly noted federal funding prioritizes three- and four-bedroom units; Ciraco wanted no ground-floor residential and four stories allowed. Consensus: some support for phasing, a spectrum of affordable housing, 20 percent retail, underground parking and one acre of open space in small areas. Consultants will bring back a couple of scenarios. No vote.
What residents said
Building intensity in Bonanza ParkFrontage Protection Zone
Public hearing speakers on the small area plan are summarized above.