Council OKS Porter’s Crossing
Not requiring block wall to be built during construction
The Porterville City Council removed the only obstacle standing in the way of bringing new business to the Henderson Avenue corridor.
The council approved Tuesday an amendment to the city’s development ordinance not requiring a six-foot block wall to be built during construction of the Porter’s Crossing Commercial Center. The commercial project is being proposed for the northeast corner of Henderson Avenue and Prospect Street.
The move goes against the city’s development ordinance requiring a six-foot block wall be constructed along the interior lot line to separate a non-residential use from a residential district.
“As it sits today, that block wall would be separating commercial from vacant land in essence,” said Nick Frechou, of Retail California — a real estate agency in Fresno.
Instead, the council agreed to a condition that the private property owners to the north and south of the project provide a recorded mutual agreement acknowledging responsibility of the construction of the wall if the northerly property were to develop as residential.
Frechou, who represents both property owners, said that shouldn’t be a problem.
“Someone will be responsible for building the wall in the event residential units are built in the future, and as long as that is perfectly outlined and is in agreement with the parties, should be a solid solution,” Frechou said.
Jenni Byers, the city’s community development director, said the timing of the condition would be prior to the issuance of the project’s building permit.
Frechou, who serves as the agent of the project, said he is confident
that both property owners can come to some harmony in an agreement before a building permit is issued.
Vice Mayor Brian Ward noted that if the northern development goes commercial then there is no need for a block wall.
If there ends up being no block wall when it is all said and done, Councilmember Monte Reyes said he would like to see parking on the unimproved portion be highly restricted, highly discouraged and highly enforced.
“Just because if there is overflow or necessity for that, it doesn’t just become a place where people are able to park,” Reyes said.
Other than the block wall, the other major concern among the council, specifically Councilmember Cameron Hamilton, was making sure the project’s landscape is well maintained.
The city’s development
ordinance requires all new projects to maintain their landscape, but Hamilton didn’t think the ordinance was enough.
“There is not a whole lot of strength,” Hamilton said, adding that he would like to see an added condition that ensures the Porter’s Crossing Commercial Center’s landscape is preserved.
City Attorney Julia Lew said if the landscape is not kept up that it is a violation of the city’s code, which would translate to a potential code enforcement action.
Ward said he believes, from a business standpoint, that it is an incentive for the business to make sure its landscape looks as good as possible.
“I would think that a business as nice a retail venue as this is going to be, and with the kind of clientele they are looking for, there’s an incentive to keep it looking nice,” Ward said. Reyes agreed. “I think that there is a great responsibility
in setting the tone for what’s going to happen, especially if there is going to be future development in the area,” Reyes said, adding, “I think that in itself is kind of a built-in encouragement to keep it looking good.”
Lew added that there is also a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) that requires projects to comply with all laws and regulations.
“It effectively is included in the CUP as well so you have the extra hammer of being able to say not only can we have a code enforcement action, we can potentially suspend, revoke or revise your CUP because you aren’t adhering to the requirements,” Lew said.
Hamilton said, “If we have that hammer then I am OK.”
In addition to the amendment to the city’s development ordinance, the council also adopted a draft resolution approving a negative declaration of environmental impact, adopted a draft resolution
approving a General Plan amendment to change land use designation from high density residential to retail center, approved a draft ordinance approving a zone change from high density residential zone to retail center zone, waived further reading of the draft ordinance, and ordered the approved zone change to print.
Additionally, the council adopted a draft resolution containing findings and conditions in support of approval of a CUP for two Type 41 and one Type 47 onsale
alcohol licenses.
Now that the project is moving further along, Byers said she can’t wait for it to be completed.
“I am a little bit excited about this project,” Byers said.
Ward said it is a beautiful project.
“Thank you and welcome to Porterville,” he said.
Stephanie Cortez, the CEO of the Porterville Chamber of Commerce, said the Chamber is definitely in favor of the project.
“Our organization is, and has been, a strong
advocate for economic growth as long as it is smart growth that supports and strengthens the current economic structure,” Cortez said at the council meeting.
She added that the project will create new, local jobs for the community and will supply the city with sales tax revenue.
“This revenue will help improve the city’s infrastructure and public services, and when it comes down to it, that is what the city is all about, delivering services to its residents,” Cortez said.