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Residents urge planning commission to protect Riverbank floodplain and farmland during Riverwalk discussions
Summary
During the June 17, 2025 public-comment period, two Riverbank residents urged the Planning Commission to oppose or reconsider the Riverwalk housing project, citing flood risk, agricultural value, infrastructure strain, and wildlife/levee concerns.
Two Riverbank residents used the public-comment period at the June 17, 2025 Planning Commission meeting to urge commissioners and staff to reconsider or oppose the Riverwalk project and to protect river-bottom farmland and the levee.
Fred Walton, who said he lives in northern Modesto on Hoag Road, told the commission he has followed the Riverwalk proposal for years and urged commissioners to “go down to the river bottom, walk around, look around, see what’s best for that river bottom.” Walton said river bottoms “aren't best to be built on due to all the flooding” and recommended conserving the river-bottom floor for farming, parks, soccer fields and greenbelt uses; he suggested that higher ground north of the bottom might be a more suitable location for homes.
Karen Conrado, who said she lives on Hoag Road, called the site “prime world class agricultural land, highly productive” and added the area is on a flood plain. She raised concerns about infrastructure such as water, sewer and traffic and questioned the long-term stability of a homemade levee she said currently helps protect the area. Conrado asked the commission to “consider opposing this project very carefully,” saying “There’s been many complaints and errors in the plan.”
Staff did not take action on Riverwalk during the public comment period; commissioners and staff noted that state law limits discussion of matters raised during public comment and that such items would be considered only if placed on a future agenda.
