Modesto Council approves Founders Point East annexation, park renovation contract and a package of routine measures

The Modesto City Council on June 24 approved multiple development and budget items, including a 220‑acre annexation and specific plan called Founders Point East, a construction contract for the Martin Luther King Jr. Park renovation, several landscape assessment levies, and the city's five‑year consolidated plan required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Key votes at a glance: - Founders Point East (annexation and specific plan): council voted unanimously to approve the specific plan, prezone to the specific plan zone, the general plan amendment for 70 acres to residential, and to file an application to LAFCO to annex roughly 220 acres (70 acres proposed residential; 150 acres business park). Jessica Hill, Community & Economic Development director, told council the project proposes approximately 420 single‑family homes in the southern 70‑acre subarea and business‑park uses north of that area. - Martin Luther King Jr. Park renovation: council awarded a construction contract to Harris Builders, Inc. of Hilmar, Calif., for $10,996,103 and authorized an 8% contingency, bringing the contract total not to exceed $11,875,792. The council also approved construction management and inspection services with TRC Engineering, Inc. for up to $1,042,319, and a $20,000 amendment to Calendar Associates for construction‑phase design support. - Cannabis retail permit renewals: council approved renewal of eight commercial cannabis retail permits for two‑year terms ending June 30, 2027. Five renewals were approved together; McHenry Comic Management LLC was approved 6‑0 with Council member Wright recused for a property‑related interest; two resolutions (Pheno's Collective and Paradise West) were approved 6‑0 with Vice Mayor Bavaro recused due to a campaign contribution disclosure. - Landscape Maintenance Assessment Districts and lighting: council ordered levies for three districts. Landscape Maintenance District 1 (Dry Creek Meadows Units 1–6) was set at $26 per parcel (749 parcels). District 2 levy was set at $50.16 for 590 residential parcels (and applicable rates for commercial parcels). Shackleford Lighting & Landscape District levy was set at $36.53 per parcel (487 parcels) to cover street‑lighting maintenance. - Consolidated Plan and HUD funds: council approved the 2025–2030 consolidated plan and the program year 2025–26 annual action plan. HUD allocations cited in staff materials include an anticipated $1.8 million in CDBG, $800,000 in HOME funds and about $157,000 in ESG funds for the coming year. - Consent item: council approved a purchase and sale agreement with the Central California Conference Association of Seventh‑day Adventists to acquire roughly 11,005 square feet of property and related temporary construction easement plus severance damages (including removal of a 1,370 sq. ft. residence) for $260,000 for the Hetch Hetchy and Claritina Avenue structural crossing project.

Why it matters: the Founders Point East approvals open roughly 220 acres for development that the city said will help meet housing needs and provide business park land; annexation requires a LAFCO approval process. The MLK Park award accelerates a long‑planned renovation in West Modesto that city staff said includes a new gym/multipurpose building, splash pad and upgraded fields. The consolidated plan vote clears the city to draw federal HUD funds for housing, homelessness and infrastructure programs.

Voting details and recusals: most roll calls were unanimous. The McHenry Comic Management cannabis permit renewal passed 6‑0 with Council member Wright recused for a property interest; the Pheno's Collective and Paradise West renewals passed 6‑0 with Vice Mayor Bavaro recused because of a campaign contribution disclosure. All other recorded votes on the specific plan, park contract and assessment levies were carried unanimously by roll call.

Next steps and timelines: the developer must file an application with the Stanislaus County Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) to complete annexation; staff told council LAFCO processing typically takes three to six months. Construction on the MLK Park project is expected to start in September 2025 and last about 15–18 months. HUD approvals are needed before the city can draw down program year funds; staff said HUD response typically arrives within 16–90 days after plan submission.

Taper: council members and staff said they would continue community outreach on major projects, coordinate construction impacts with neighborhood organizations, and return to council with any further contract or budget reallocations required by final bid results.