Woodland’s City Council is being asked to accept a “petition” from Clark Pacific and Bayer Research and Development that would expand the Urban Limit Line.

If approved Tuesday night, the petition could ultimately face voters in 2026 and would, in essence, make city services available to both businesses.

For now, the council could approve a resolution that would prepare a General Plan amendment requiring city staff to undertake evaluations and provide recommendations.

The resolution would affect the city’s General Plan Policy pertaining to the Urban Limit Line; and allow the “placement of a proposed amendment to the Woodland Urban Limit Line Initiative (Measure A) on the November 2026 ballot.” It would also authorize the city manager to execute an Agreement for Fund Advancement with the project applicants, outlining specific payment terms for processing of this application; and approving a contract agreement for $119,000 to prepare an environmental review.

There wouldn’t be any immediate effect on the city’s general fund with all project costs covered by Clark Pacific and Bayer.

“As part of the project evaluation, any potential service, facility and/or maintenance costs associated with the proposed public utility extensions will be identified,” according to a city staff report. “Upon conclusion of project evaluation, staff will bring forward with its General Plan Amendment recommendation any necessary Services Agreements to address those costs. All service connections will be subject to city connection fees as will be outlined in the Services Agreements.”

Both companies are outside the 2006 voter-approved Urban Limit Line, beyond which the city can’t develop property or expand. Clark Pacific is located at 40600 County Road 18C, just beyond the northern portion of the Urban Limit Line while Bayer is at 37437 County Road 16, about a half-mile west of the Urban Limit Line.

If voters were to approve “Measure A,” the city would be able to extend water, recycled water, and sewer services to their facilities.

“Staff recommends initiating this process by accepting the applicants’ petition for a General Plan amendment and directing staff to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the proposed service extension against the intent of the ULL, including impacts on agricultural land, city infrastructure capacity, environmental considerations, and necessary service agreements to cover potential future service, facility, and maintenance costs associated with the utility extensions,” according to a city report.

Bayer and Clark Pacific made their requests in February.

Both companies rely on well water for potable and industrial purposes and septic systems for wastewater, according to the city. Bayer also operates a retention pond for specific wastewater streams. Bayer’s well water contains high levels of nitrates and boron, requiring treatment to meet EPA standards and buffering to safeguard sensitive equipment.

“With their septic system and retention pond at maximum capacity and expansion being economically impractical, Bayer’s growth is constrained,” the report noted.

Clark Pacific faces similar challenges. “The growing demand for their prefabricated building systems is straining their existing water and septic infrastructure, impeding the potential for future company and product Expansion,” the report continued.

High levels of nitrates and boron in well water were reasons the city of Woodland switched to using Sacramento River water, initially forming the Woodland-Davis Joint Powers Authority and later building a $325 million facility that allows for treatment of river water, recycling used water and also pumping excess water back into the aquifer.

The city stated both Bayer and Clark Pacific employ more than 150 Woodland residents.