Council continues Henderson commercial project hearings after noticing, staff to return with responses to EIR comments

The Porterville City Council opened public hearings on related land‑use actions for the Henderson Commercial Development and an amendment to the RM‑3 density standard, then continued both matters to the next regular meeting while staff reviews noticing and responses to comments.

Staff described two linked items: an amendment to the city’s 2030 General Plan and Development Code to increase the maximum density in the RM‑3 high‑density residential zone from 30 to 30.5 units per acre (an incremental change the staff said would add an estimated 90 potential units citywide) and the Henderson Commercial Development project (PRC‑2018‑24‑C), a proposed 10.54‑acre commercial center at the northwest corner of State Route 65 and West Henderson Avenue.

The proposed commercial project would consist of roughly 92,000 square feet of commercial space including major in‑line retail (about 78,000 sq. ft.), three quick‑serve drive‑through buildings (about 14,000 sq. ft. combined), a grocery store with alcohol sales and a 24‑hour drugstore, site circulation improvements (including an eastbound left turn lane), monument and pylon signage, parking, lighting and landscaping. The project review committee recommended the entitlements but staff reported the final environmental impact report (EIR) identifies transportation impacts that remain significant and unavoidable after mitigation. As a result, the council must consider findings and a statement of overriding considerations if it later approves the project.

The city described the CEQA process: notices of preparation and a recirculated NOP in summer 2023, a draft EIR public review period (Dec. 24, 2024–Feb. 9/10, 2025), and a final EIR that includes responses to comments and a mitigation monitoring and reporting program. Staff said four comment letters were received and responses are included in the final EIR. Because of a potential noticing technicality for interested parties, staff recommended opening the hearings and continuing them to the next regular meeting so the record is clear and all interested parties can receive required notice; council approved the continuances 3–0.

Staff noted that the conditional use permit would allow a commercial establishment over 50,000 square feet and support a Type 21 off‑sale general ABC license; the project site is in a census tract the Alcoholic Beverage Control has designated as over‑concentrated for alcohol licenses, so the mayor would send a letter of public convenience/necessity if the council moves forward with the ABC request.

Council did not take final action and directed staff to return with corrected noticing documentation and any additional responses to EIR comments before further consideration.