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A map of the proposed Southeast Development Area. (GV Wire Composite)\nPlan Needs Protections for Rural Land: Magsig<\/p>\n
If the Fresno City Council approves its plan to further develop southeast Fresno, it could cost $100,000 dollars if and when city services arrive for the rural residents now living in the area.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019d be responsible for the cost of hooking up to water and lines \u2026 which would be estimated at a minimum of $50,000 for water, $50,000 for sewer, depending on how far back our property is.\u201d \u2014 Southeast Fresno resident Helen Ramming<\/p>\n
To turn the 9,000 acres of the Southeast Development Area into Fresno\u2019s newest segment of town, the city will have to bring in the water and sewer necessary for the homes, offices, and businesses that would be built there.<\/p>\n
When those services arrive, however, the plan compels the homeowners and farmers in the area \u2014 many who\u2019ve lived there for decades \u2014 to hook up to city sewer and water lines. Residents there say they\u2019ve been told the cost could be up to $100,000 per parcel.<\/p>\n
The Fresno Planning Commission hosted a meeting Wednesday on SEDA that examined the zoning plan and the environmental assessment required to pass it.<\/p>\n
Planning commissioners recommended sending the plan to the city council with alternatives that protect farmland and creates a consolidated business plan for the southern SEDA area.<\/p>\n
The earliest the plan could before council is December.<\/p>\n
The vote was 4-3\u00a0with commissioners DJ Criner, Gurdeep Shergill, and chair Peter Vang opposed.<\/p>\n
Property owner Helen Ramming told planning commission members at the Wednesday meeting that she met with planning staff who told her about the changes. Residents may also have to pay to fill in wells and get assessed for school bonds, Ramming said.<\/p>\n
City staff told meeting attendees that residents would have to pay for hookups within five years of services being available. She added that the city would make financing options available.<\/p>\n
Further questions posed to the city by GV Wire were not returned.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019d be responsible for the cost of hooking up to water and lines \u2026 which would be estimated at a minimum of $50,000 for water, $50,000 for sewer, depending on how far back our property is,\u201d Ramming said at the meeting.<\/p>\n
A map of the proposed Southeast Development Area. (GV Wire Composite)
\nPlan Needs Protections for Rural Land: Magsig<\/p>\n
Fresno City officials have long said that development and annexation would not occur unless a property owner decides to sell and a plan is in place. City officials said development would not occur at all at once.<\/p>\n
\u201cA lot of residents I represent have significant concerns about SEDA and being able to enjoy the rural lifestyle that many of them moved out there for.\u201d \u2014 Fresno County Supervisor Nathan Magsig<\/p>\n
Many residents during the meeting said they would not be able to afford the cost to hook up to city services.<\/p>\n
Fresno County Supervisor Nathan Magsig told GV Wire on Friday that when he was on Clovis City Council and they discussed development for Harlan Ranch, the city let residents stay on wells and septic systems until they chose to develop.<\/p>\n
While he said that balancing growth with the needs of residents can be difficult, he said that the rural lifestyles need to be protected.<\/p>\n
\u201cA lot of residents I represent have significant concerns about SEDA and being able to enjoy the rural lifestyle that many of them moved out there for,\u201d Magsig said.<\/p>\n
Property Owner Brett Thompson said at the meeting the city ordinance doesn\u2019t match up with what utility companies told them.<\/p>\n
\u201cDetailed or transparent answers from planning staff are not being given to you, commissioners, or to the residents,\u201d Thompson said. \u201cAt neighborhood meetings, public utilities representatives told residents when a water line comes through it is your choice whether to connect to it or not.\u201d<\/p>\n
Can SEDA Pay for Itself?<\/p>\n
At the meeting, city staff attempted to address the issues raised by the dozens of commenters \u2014 almost all of whom oppose SEDA.<\/p>\n
Two residents in the SEDA area at the meeting did support the plan.<\/p>\n
One, Danny Vartan, said farming has become difficult and \u201cmost farmers are break even at best.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThis 9,000 acres that are proposed here, there\u2019s 1.8 million acres of farmland in Fresno County,\u201d Vartan said. \u201cIt\u2019s just really not going to have much of an impact on the agricultural nature of our region, but it could be a really excellent place to live.\u201d<\/p>\n
City staff said of the 9,000 acres, 2,475 are considered \u201cprime farmland,\u201d 1,352 are \u201cfarmland of statewide importance,\u201d and 1,075 are considered \u201cunique farmland.\u201d<\/p>\n
Opponents to the plan brought up concerns about population forecasts, pollution, and the loss of rural lifestyle. One of the recurring objections from residents throughout the city is the project\u2019s estimated $4.3 billion price tag at buildout.<\/p>\n
They also say that outward growth will take away from the city\u2019s interior.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not just another plan, it\u2019s an enormous infrastructure bill,\u201d said April Henry a west Fresno resident and executive director of the Highway City Community Development nonprofit.<\/p>\n