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Residents tell planning commission Fortia South is too narrow; staff says developer must add curb, gutter and sidewalk
Summary
Multiple residents urged action on Fortia South during a public hearing tied to a zoning/general‑plan amendment, citing speeding, semis and lack of sidewalks; staff said new commercial development would require frontage improvements and may trigger a traffic study, but the city has no immediate funding to widen the entire street.
During the public hearing on proposed general‑plan and zoning map amendments, several residents raised safety and traffic concerns about Fortia South, a narrow local street that abuts the parcels under consideration.
Residents described narrow lanes, frequent 18‑wheelers, absent sidewalks and high vehicle speeds. One resident said, "Right now, it's narrow. There's no sidewalks down either side of it...people drive way too fast going down it." Another resident said semis block the road and posed a danger to motorists and pedestrians.
Staff response: Mike Florence, community development staff, told the commission the street is planned as a local street with a 50‑foot right of way and that private development would be required to install curb, gutter and sidewalk where it fronts a new commercial parcel. "They would be required to put curb, gutter, sidewalk on the new commercial property," Florence said. He added that the remainder of improvements would likely be a city‑initiated project at some point and that a traffic study could be required when a commercial application is submitted.
What the city can do now: Florence said the city does not currently have dedicated funding to widen Fortia South and that full street improvements would probably be several years away. Staff suggested enforcement and targeted engineering measures (for example, traffic calming or stop signs) could be considered in the nearer term. Staff also noted that when the Wooten property and the commercial parcel develop, each development would be expected to construct the frontage improvements adjacent to their property.
Community concerns beyond sidewalks: Speakers also noted parked cars blocking sight lines near bus stops and a nearby fruit stand that attracts parked customers; residents urged the city to consider enforcement around parking and street use when development occurs.
Ending: Commission members and staff told residents they would note the comments and that any future commercial site plan would be re‑noticed and accompanied by engineering review and, if necessary, a traffic study.
