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Residents urge more outreach on housing element, raise concerns about Riverwalk DEIR
Summary
During public comment at the Aug. 20 Planning Commission meeting, two speakers urged a second housing‑element workshop, better advance notice and Zoom access; one speaker urged the Commission not to support the Riverwalk project as proposed and said the DEIR has significant gaps.
Two public commenters told the Planning Commission on Aug. 20 that the city should expand outreach on the housing‑element update and revisit the Riverwalk draft environmental impact report.
Gary Pearson, a Riverbank resident, said he attended the July 31 housing‑element workshop and found it lightly attended and insufficiently publicized. He asked that the city hold another workshop so the public can review the inventory of available lots and provide more input. Pearson also urged explicit inclusion in the housing element for households with special needs, including seniors, people with disabilities, large families and farm workers.
Jamie Eggers, a nearby resident who lives in Modesto but within the proposed sphere of influence for Riverwalk, said more than 100 comments were submitted on the draft EIR and urged commissioners to review the technical submissions (he cited a PhD wildlife biologist and Modesto’s comments). Eggers said the July 31 workshop was not available on Zoom and was not video recorded, which limited public access.
Pearson also said he strongly discouraged the Commission from supporting the Riverwalk project as proposed because it would remove prime agricultural land. Both commenters asked for better notice and more accessible public meetings as the city advances its housing‑element work.
City staff told the Commission the draft housing element will appear on the Sept. 17 agenda for review before being forwarded to the City Council.
