City of Benicia, CA Lower Arsenal Mixed-Use Specific Plan and Code (Opticos Design)

City of Benicia, CA - Arsenal Mixed-Use Specific Plan

Existing development includes a wide range of uses, such as light industrial, lodging and events center, housing, and artists’ studios.

A consultant team that included Opticos Design, Inc. and Lisa Wise Consulting, Inc. was hired to create an Arsenal Mixed-Use Specific Plan. The team crafted the plan with extensive public input from community members, stakeholders, and City staff through a series of meetings, interviews, workshops, and charrettes. The goal of this outreach effort was to gain an understanding of local concerns and their priorities and to create a vision for the Arsenal area that reflected community consensus.

The consultant team found that residents want new development to protect historic structures, be compatible with existing businesses, enhance the area as a visitor attraction, and create interconnected open spaces.

To implement the City’s vision and address the community’s concerns, the Specific Plan contains a comprehensive set of goals, policies, programs, and development standards that preserve and promote the Arsenal Historic District as an economic resource and that describe future development which is harmonious with the historic character.

Completed in collaboration with Opticos Design, Inc.

In addition to the Lower Arsenal Mixed-Use Specific Plan and Code, LWC was retained to complete the City's 2007-2014 Housing Element.