Home Care In American Canyon, CA

The American Canyon City Council voted 4-1 Tuesday night to approve Measure K.

Council member Mariam Aboudamous cast the only "no" vote, preferring instead to place the measure on the November ballot. The council had the option of approving Measure K or letting voters decide.

Measure K establishes a streamlined permitting process for new warehouses that comply with stringent environmental and renewable-energy standards. One such requirement is constructing the warehouse so all its annual electrical needs are met by solar panels.

American Canyon has a city code mandating that a new project is a qualified warehouse facility project that satisfies requirements for a sustainable environmentally efficient development project (SEEDP). The comprehensive declaration for such a sustainable project is issued by the city's planning director.

To qualify for Measure K’s nondiscretionary, or ministerial, process, projects also must be consistent with the city's general plan but are exempt from California Environmental Quality Act review and examination.

The ballot effort resulted from a three-and-a-half-year controversy over the Giovannoni Logistics Center, a proposed Buzz Oates project to build 2.4 million square feet of warehouses on 207 acres of industrial-zoned vacant land bounded by Green Island Road, the railroad tracks and Devlin Road. The City Council last year approved the estimated $400 million project.

Opponents to the measure, such as the Center for Biological Diversity, warned that it would be dangerous, would undo existing city codes and environmental policy progress American Canyon has already made. In a letter to city and county residents in late January, the Center for Biological Diversity said it was “deeply concerned” about the proposed ballot initiative because it “would eliminate local oversight and force approval of warehouse development without environmental review.”

Others encouraged the city to move ahead with a study of potential impacts.

Council member Mark Joseph said, "We gathered all the information surrounding this measure and the main project involved before coming to this decision point. We factored in everything we could think of and weighed the variables. Projects like this help us and our business partners improve the quality of life here. Some cities don't have enough revenue to pay for services."

He said the land involved for development has been zoned industrial longer than American Canyon has been in existence.

The project has been stalled by lawsuits from groups such as the Center for Biological Diversity and the Golden State Environmental Justice Center, along with a similar legal action by the city of Vallejo.

The City Council vote came after nearly three hours of public comment and discussion of the pros and cons. Mayor Leon Garcia, Vice Mayor David Oro and council members Mark Joseph and Pierre Washington voted to adopt the measure.

The ruling comes with a five-year stay, through Jan. 1, 2029, against amending or replacing Measure K, except by the initiative process.

The meeting included a fiscal analysis report on the potential impacts of the measure on city revenue, housing availability, agricultural land and open space that was ordered at the council meeting Feb. 6.

No significant negative or adverse outcomes were reported by the staff and City Council based on the 30-day study.

Valerie Zizak-Morais, president and CEO of the American Canyon Chamber of Commerce, said, "We have to get this project going and can't let environmentalists and cities around us tell us how to develop our land. We need more jobs, and developers want to do the right thing."

She noted that during the same time that the Giovannoni project has been held up, 23 other projects have been completed.

Garcia said he was “impressed and satisfied” with the project.

“Enough protections are built in to protect the environment,“ Garcia said. ”The next step is how to incorporate the things we have learned from this project as we move forward. It is a precedent-setting event, and at the same time a trial with an expiration date.“

He observed that in early 2000 the lack of housing was a big issue.

“Now we are building housing by the block. When it comes to protecting our land and its resources, our city is doing a wonderful job,“ Garcia said.

(KRON) — A new franchise of Guy Fieri’s fast food chicken chain is coming to the North Bay. Chicken Guy by Guy Fieri will be opening a location in American Canyon, according to the restaurant chain’s website.

According to Chandi Hospitality, the hospitality group behind the restaurant, there are plans to develop, own and operate Chicken Guys locations in nine Northern California counties. A Chicken Guy location has already been opened at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, however that location is only open during stadium events.

“Chicken Guy! features one-of-a-kind all-natural chicken tenders paired with a wide selection of delicious sauces,” read the Chicken Guy website. The restaurant was launched by Fieri, a renowned celebrity chef who grew up in Northern California, in partnership with restaurateur, Robert Earl, who is also the founder of Planet Hollywood.

Ground was broken on the project on March 8, according to the Chandi Hospitality Group. The group, which also operates 17 Mountain Mike’s Pizza restaurants locally, said an ambitious 90-day timeframe has been set to complete construction.

The group said the Chicken Guy location could be open as early as July. Chandi Hospitality Group told KRON4 it hopes to open a minimum of 10 other Chicken Guy locations throughout various North Bay counties in the coming years.

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Santa Rosa-based Chandi Hospitality Group held a groundbreaking March 8 at Northern California's inaugural Chicken Guy location. (Photos)

Patch Staff

|Updated Wed, Mar 20, 2024 at 7:48 pm PT

AMERICAN CANYON, CA — A Santa Rosa-based hospitality group has broken ground on Northern California's first Guy Fieri-backed Chicken Guy! drive-thru restaurant.

And the group has planned an ambitious 90-day goal to complete construction.

Chandi Hospitality Group has held an exclusive agreement to develop, own and operate Chicken Guy! sites in nine Northern California counties, plus Sacramento and parts of San Francisco, since 2019. But, like most things, it was put on hold during the COVID-19 pandemic.

So, it was a momentous occasion when the Chandi family gathered March 8 to mark the start of construction.

"We know this territory well because of our various Mountain Mike’s Pizza restaurants and are engaged in the community in all levels," said Bhupinder "Sonu" Singh Chandi, the group’s founder and president.

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Chicken Guy! is a franchise restaurant created by celebrity chef Guy Fieri, a Sonoma County resident, and Robert Earl, a renowned restaurateur and CEO of Planet Hollywood.

The eatery offers unique, all-natural chicken tenders, marinated in fresh lemon juice, pickle brine, buttermilk and herbs, boasting exceptional flavor and texture.

Healthier alternatives, such as grilled chicken or a salad, are also available — but the franchise’s "secret sauce" is a large variety of sauces crafted by Guy Fieri that complement the tenders and sides.

Although there is an existing Chicken Guy! at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara it does not have a full kitchen nor a drive-thru, so it is not considered a full restaurant. The first real location is under construction at 200 American Canyon Road.

The 2,818-square-foot restaurant is on a 1.03-acre site next to Walgreens.

According to Brent Cooper, community development director for the city of American Canyon, the Planning Commission approved a change related to the site's utilities on Feb. 22, and the project received construction permits March 7.

"A groundbreaking ceremony happened on March 8 and the project has started construction," Cooper told Patch.

Chandi Hospitality Group got its start when at 16 years old, Sonu Chandi hustled on a kitchen line during bustling Friday night dinners. Three years later, the Chandi brothers — Sonu and Jatinder "Joti" Chandi — helped their father, Gurcharan Chandi, launch his restaurant, Saroor Indian Cuisine, in the Bay Area.

Saroor was their training ground and where they honed their skills in lease negotiations, vendor management, team building and cultivating the enthusiasm that solidified their ambition to establish a hospitality empire of their own.

In 2007, the Chandi group embarked on its journey into the restaurant industry by acquiring its inaugural eatery — a Mountain Mike's Pizza restaurant in Rohnert Park.

While balancing college educations, the group dove headfirst into franchising, grappling with the intricacies of scheduling, management, and all other facets of franchise ownership. Over time, the group became Mountain Mike's North Bay development agent.

Today, the group owns 17 Mountain Mike's Pizzas and several businesses in Santa Rosa.

"We’ve always focused our business on real-estate development behind the scenes," Chandi said.

In 2019, the Chandi Hospitality Group started looking into the Chicken Guy! concept.

In addition to its familiarity with the territory and successful franchising, he believes the Chandi Hospitality Group was chosen as a partner for Chicken Guy! because of its background in development.

"Things picked back up in late 2021 when the American Canyon site was brought to our attention by our broker as something ready to go," Chandi said.

The group soon learned the site had lost its entitlement because the property sat too long without proceeding with a submission for building plans.

This led to an 18-month setback.

"We are trying to make up time and get our first site, the first Chicken Guy! drive-thru in Northern California, completed in 90 days, which is a very ambitious goal," Chandi said. "We are working with several subcontractors to achieve that."

Under the aggressive timeline, the first Chicken Guy! could be open as soon as early July.

After that, Chandi Hospitality Group plans to develop a minimum of 10 other Chicken Guy! locations throughout the North Bay in the next five years.

Chandi attributes the group's initial interest in the Chicken Guy! restaurant to the growth of Fieri's brand.

"He's become a big national celebrity, but he does a lot of local work," Chandi said. "We also wanted to partner with someone with experience in multiple concepts, which Planet Hollywood does."

Chicken Guy! by Guy Fieri is excited to have partnered with Chandi Hospitality to launch the FIRST Chicken Guy! restaurant in Northern California, said Ed Yancey, chief franchise officer.

"The Chandis are seasoned operators in Northern California and are an ideal group to launch our first location in this market," Yancey said. "This premiere location is slated to open September 2024 in American Canyon at the intersection of 200 American Canyon Road & Broadway Lincoln Highway."

According to Yancey, Chicken Guy! by Guy Fieri leverages the creative and culinary expertise of Guy Fieri in the creation of its unique one-of-a-kind chicken tender that is brined, hand-pounded, and seasoned in a selection of spices that give it a unique crispness and taste profile, which differentiates the brand from other concepts.

"Guy’s unique spin on chicken sandwiches provides some of the most crave-able flavor combinations that consumers will find, anywhere," Yancey said. "Top all sandwiches and chicken strips with some of Guy’s extraordinary sauces, from the 'Boss of Sauce,' and make your way to Flavortown!"

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AMERICAN CANYON, CA — U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson has secured $850,000 in federal grant funds for the Napa River Ecology Center — Eco Center— in American Canyon, the city of American Canyon announced Monday.

The federal grant check, which will be presented to the American Canyon Community and Parks Foundation during a ceremony Tuesday, represents another significant milestone in funding the center's construction, city officials said.

The check presentation will take place at American Canyon’s current Corporation Yard at 205 Wetlands Edge Road — the site of the future Eco Center. Once established, the 2.5-acre Eco Center will highlight the Napa River Wetlands in American Canyon through hands-on educational areas, community courtyards, an environmental artist workshop and more.

The planning process started in Spring 2020 and the Foundation is actively taking steps to begin construction by early 2026.

"Through the Eco Center, we seek to create an environmental and community legacy in American Canyon and the entire Napa Valley," said Parks Foundation Executive Director Janelle Sellick. "Thanks to Congressman Thompson’s support, we are one step closer to seeing our vision come to life. We are truly grateful for the Congressman’s commitment to the community and the environment."

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In late February, it was announced that the American Canyon City Council allocated $1 million toward the creation of the Eco Center.

"In American Canyon, we’re passionate about stirring community members to build environmental curiosity, understanding and respect for the natural world," said Mayor Leon Garcia. "We are confident the Eco Center will help everyone do just that."

Located along the Napa River Wetlands and adjacent to the San Francisco Bay and Bay Water Trails, the Eco Center will provide a unique opportunity for conservation programs and environmental education.

The Eco Center will offer nature-based classes and programs, new wetlands paths and ways to connect with nature through art.

The American Canyon Community and Parks Foundation is a nonprofit organization that brings nature and community together through year-round environmental and outdoor programs. The Foundation was established in 2015 and serves over 3,000 people annually while empowering future environmental leaders and protecting the environment.

District: District 3 - Marysville Amarjeet S. Benipal, District Director

Phone: (530) 701-5209 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Auburn – Caltrans is alerting motorists that Borland Avenue is scheduled to close along State Route 49 (SR-49) as Phase 2 begins on the $9.9 million American Canyon Roundabout Project in Auburn.

The Borland Avenue intersection with SR-49 is scheduled to close starting Wednesday, November 1 and is expected to remain closed for four weeks.

Businesses on the other side of the closure will be accessible with a detour. Signs will be in place to lead motorists northbound on SR-49 and exit left at Lincoln Way. From there, motorists will take Cherry Avenue to Brook Road and turn back onto Borland Avenue.

While closed, crews will begin work on Borland Avenue in preparation for construction of the roundabout. A temporary traffic signal will also be installed to control the flow of traffic for motorists traveling in and out of the canyon on SR-49 or turning onto Lincoln Way.

The project is the second of three recent Auburn-area projects to improve safety on the SR-49 corridor in Placer County. The project will realign two reversing curves to improve sight distance and safety by reducing the sharpness of each curve. Additionally, the existing traffic signal at the Lincoln Way/Borland Avenue intersection will be replaced with a roundabout to improve safety and traffic flow.

Lamon Construction Co., Inc. of Yuba City is the prime contractor for the American Canyon Roundabout Project, which is expected to be completed by spring 2024.

Caltrans District 3 is responsible for maintaining and operating 4,385 lane miles in 11 Sacramento Valley and Northern Sierra counties. Caltrans reminds motorists to “Be Work Zone Alert” and slow in construction zones for the safety of travelers and crews performing these improvements.

The department will issue construction updates on @CaltransDist3 and on Facebook at CaltransDistrict3. For real-time traffic, click on Caltrans’ QuickMap or download the QuickMap app from the App Store or Google Play.