Published
4 weeks agoon
A proposed apartment complex that was denied in March received new life from the Clovis City Council.
The city council denied a 12-unit market-rate apartment complex on Alluvial Avenue, east of Sunnyside Avenue on March 6. During the vote, the city council asked city staff and the builders to come back with fixes to make it more palpable to neighbors.
With some changes to the aesthetics and height of the project, the city council voted 5-0 to move forward on Monday night. The vote was in three parts — to reverse the 3-1 vote against the project in March, and two votes to rezone the property to allow for apartments.
City Councilwoman Lynne Ashbeck voted no in March, concerned about the project’s design matching the neighborhood. She said such projects can work next to single-family homes and churches, citing her neighborhood as an example.
“People were up in arms around apartments next to single-family homes, and they really do blend in. So you have a church, multiple family, and your neighborhood. It does work over time,” Ashbeck said.
At the March meeting, Ashbeck presented concerns about the project clashing with the neighborhood. Developer Stallion Development and Construction went back to the drawing board.
The apartment designers changed the look, from a flat roof to a cross-gabled roof. Also, the colors changed to creamy white stucco and stone veneer.
The design also shaved about five feet from the height of the top floor. Windows were removed from the east-facing side that is adjacent to an existing neighborhood.
“I want to acknowledge your work on the elevations. I am certainly not an architect, so I spoke harshly about that. But I do feel like this at least looks like Clovis. I think it will make the visual image down Alluvial nicer,” Ashbeck said.
Neighbors speaking at the meeting still had reservations about balconies overlooking their backyards.
Dan Zack, representing the developer, said they increased the space between the building and the fences. They also plan on using landscaping to protect privacy.
The city also took another look at how much traffic the apartment complex would generate. An analysis concluded that it would only generate two more trips than for what the land is currently zoned, and a full study was not needed. Also, city staff recommended restriping Alluvial Avenue to a center turn lane to alleviate safety concerns.
Even with the rezone changes, there is still more work before final approval, including a site plan review, and a building permit.
Curiosity drives David Taub. The award-winning journalist might be shy, but feels mighty with a recorder in his hand. He doesn't see it his job to "hold public officials accountable," but does see it to provide readers (and voters) the information needed to make intelligent choices. Taub has been honored with several writing awards from the California News Publishers Association. He's just happy to have his stories read. Joining GV Wire in 2016, Taub covers politics, government and elections, mainly in the Fresno/Clovis area. He also writes columns about local eateries (Appetite for Fresno), pro wrestling (Off the Bottom Rope), and media (Media Man). Prior to joining the online news source, Taub worked as a radio producer for KMJ and PowerTalk 96.7 in Fresno. He also worked as an assignment editor for KCOY-TV in Santa Maria, California, and KSEE-TV in Fresno. He has also worked behind the scenes for several sports broadcasts, including the NCAA basketball tournament, and the Super Bowl. When not spending time with his family, Taub loves to officially score Fresno Grizzlies games. Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, Taub is a die-hard Giants and 49ers fan. He graduated from the University of Michigan with dual degrees in communications and political science. Go Blue! You can contact David at 559-492-4037 or at Send an Email
Opposition Mounting to Newsom’s Plan for Streamlining Big California Projects
Biden, GOP Reach Tentative Deal to Raise Debt Ceiling, Avoid Default
Karbassi Responds to Fresno’s Zero-Emissions Vehicle Proposal
Blast Waves Causing Brain Injuries That Can Lead to PTSD, Suicide
More Bitwise Problems? Reports of Payroll Issues Surface.
Will Newsom CEQA Reform Package Be Among CA’s Next New Laws?