FRESNO, Calif. (FOX26) \u2014 A proposed truck parking facility in northwest Fresno is once again drawing opposition from nearby residents, as the City of Fresno begins reviewing a new environmental document for the project.<\/p>\n
The proposal would transform nearly 19 acres of vacant land at the northeast corner of West Barstow and North Contessa avenues, near Highway 99, into a truck parking facility.<\/p>\n
Neighbors who live near the site say they have opposed the project since it was first proposed about five years ago. They worry the development would bring increased truck traffic, pollution and noise to a neighborhood surrounded by homes and located across from Island Waterpark.<\/p>\n
“It’s not good for the health of the neighborhood,” said Alex Becerra who lives in Fresno.<\/p>\n
“This is not a business area,” another neighbor said. “There’s gonna be pollution and traffic… and I live not that far from there.”<\/p>\n
Several residents also expressed concerns about safety.<\/p>\n
“Instead of making it a safer place to live, play, shop and eat, the truck yard would just bring crime,” said Harman Singh who lives in Fresno.<\/p>\n
The project has changed significantly since it was first introduced.<\/p>\n
The original proposal called for 374 truck parking stalls. The latest application scales that back to 150 truck parking stalls, along with a 20,440-square-foot truck wash and repair facility and a 453-unit self-storage facility.<\/p>\n
One nearby resident said the number of trucks remains a concern.<\/p>\n
“I do have neighbors that have children,” said Becerra. “That is a safety concern. They could cross the street with semi-trucks.”<\/p>\n
Despite those concerns, the City of Fresno’s draft environmental review concludes the project’s impacts can be reduced to less than significant through required mitigation measures.<\/p>\n
As a result, the city is recommending a Mitigated Negative Declaration, meaning it determined the project would not require a full Environmental Impact Report if those mitigation measures are implemented.<\/p>\n
According to the environmental review, the project would be required to comply with several mitigation measures, including limiting construction noise and work hours, installing shielded lighting to reduce impacts on nearby homes, adding additional electric vehicle charging infrastructure to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and using a recycled water system that would limit potable water use to less than 10,000 gallons per month.<\/p>\n
Some residents say they have already spoken directly with the developer but remain opposed to the project.<\/p>\n
“I’ve spoken to the developer. I’ve had a one-on-one conversation, the developer knows we don’t want this here,” said Singh.<\/p>\n
If approved, the truck parking facility would operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week. According to the more than 500-page environmental<\/a> document, the project is expected to create 13 permanent jobs.<\/p>\n The City of Fresno is currently accepting public comments on the draft environmental review before city leaders decide whether to approve the project.<\/p>\n