Escalon planning commission recommends denial of Jackson Avenue mixed‑use rezoning after public safety and traffic concerns

The Escalon City Planning Commission voted 2‑1 on March 11 to recommend denial of a request to rezone a 0.89‑acre parcel at 2304 Jackson Avenue from C‑2 commercial to a planned development to allow a two‑story, mixed‑use project with 17 apartments and 1,800 square feet of commercial space.

The vote followed more than an hour of public testimony and a staff presentation explaining the proposal and the conditions of review. Commission members who voted against the project cited concerns about emergency vehicle access, pedestrian and neighborhood traffic, and onsite parking. The commission’s negative recommendation will be forwarded to the City Council for final action.

The project applicant, identified in the packet as Germat Lyons with developer PJ Kinda, proposes two two‑story buildings containing 17 one‑, two‑ and three‑bedroom apartments, 1,800 square feet of commercial retail space divided into two pads, a common area with a play structure, and 42 parking spaces (34 for residential units and 8 for commercial uses) — the number required under the city code for the proposed uses. The site plan shows two vehicle access points: one onto Elizabeth Avenue and one onto State Route 120 (Jackson Avenue). The developer’s architect described design changes made during agency review and said partner agencies had provided conditions to allow the project to move forward.

Several residents who live on nearby California Street, Elizabeth Avenue and Jonathan Court…