Politics & Government

Dixon City Council to Decide on the Fate of a Dixon Family's Dream Home, Tribute to Deceased Son

The Dixon City Council will decide tonight to uphold a decision that allows the Guerrero Family to build a dream home in honor of their deceased son, Samuel

The next chapter in a Dixon family’s saga to build a 3,898-square-foot home along South First Street in honor of their deceased son will be written at tonight’s meeting of the

Tonight, the council is expected to vote on whether or not to uphold the , husband-and-wife Victor and Hortencia, to build the home.

Dixon residents Karl Spangler and his daughter, Ginger Emerson, filed the appeal with the city along with the support of a group of South First Street-area neighbors calling themselves The Old Town Neighbors Neighborhood Association.

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Spangler and Emerson stated in their appeal that the design of the home is against city zoning ordinances, but a staff report said that the only part of the home that may be against the ordinances is the home’s setback, at 74 feet, six inches. At the same time, the staff report said that there are homes in the area with similar setbacks. 

The appeal centers on the design of the home and states that it's not in line with other homes in the area. Emerson also raised several concerns including parking and traffic issues that may arise if the home opens up its garden to the public.

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But during the meeting in which the Planning Commission denied the appeal, in late April, Hortencia Guerrero told the commission that the garden will not be open to the public, but will serve as a private sanctuary that will allow the family to heal from the loss of their son.

In March Community Development Director David Dowswell approved Victor and Hortencia Guerrero’s design plans for the home they intend to build in a vacant lot on 220 South First Street. The home will be built in honor of the Guerrero’s son, Samuel, who died after being exposed to E.Coli bacteria in December 2008.

Emerson also raised privacy concerns, saying that the second-story window that’s in the design of the home will compromise the privacy of neighbors. But the Planning Commission disagreed with Emerson and after hearing Hortencia speak about the purpose of the garden, unanimously voted against Emerson and her father’s appeal.

But just because the commission denied the appeal, didn’t end the issue. After the Planning Commission meeting, Emerson vowed to bring the appeal in front of the Dixon City Council, who will be hearing the matter and deciding upon it tonight.

The council is also expected to decide on a resolution that will allow the to remain at the Transportation Center at 220 North Jefferson St.

The lease agreement would allow the Chamber to stay in the building for the next five years. The Dixon City Council will meet at 7 p.m., at its chambers located on 600 East A Street. Anyone who can’t make it to the meeting will have the option to view it online at the city’s web site located here.


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