Modesto council selects expanded general-plan footprint for environmental review amid heated public hearing

Modesto City Council on April 28 selected a preferred land-use alternative to carry forward into the environmental review process for the city's comprehensive general plan update through 2050, voting 5-1 to amend the staff map to include four additional parcels south of Beckwith for study.

Jessica Hill, the city's director of community and economic development, told the council staff recommended starting with the largest study area so the city could pare back land later rather than add it mid-review. She said the preferred alternative would allow the city to analyze infrastructure needs and mitigation measures for growth that could produce an estimated 56,570 housing units and about 71.4 million square feet of retail, office and industrial space if fully built out.

"The selection of the proposed project is a starting point for an environmental impact report and does not bind the city to approve the proposed project," Hill said during the staff presentation, noting the selection launches a roughly 15-month SQA/EIR process.

The public hearing that followed drew more than two dozen speakers and lasted more than two hours. Residents of Wood Colony and adjacent Salida repeatedly urged the council to protect prime farmland, groundwater recharge areas and local heritage. "We live in this neighborhood because of where it is on the outskirts of the city. We love the orchards around us, the sunsets, the almond blossoms," said Teresa Gamboa, chairwoman of Woodland West community, opposing westward expansion.

Opponents argued that expanding the sphere of influence into the agricultural lands west of Highway 99 and near Beckwith would increase traffic, worsen air quality, imperil groundwater recharge, and erode a distinct community identity. "This map is crazy," said Lisa Dviki Braden, a Beckwith resident. "We should be able to vote what happens on our properties."

Landowners and business groups countered that Modesto has lagged neighboring cities in new development and that planning acreage now will preserve options for jobs and housing. "This plan provides a realistic path forward to the future," said James Majetti, who said his family has farmed inside the plan area and supports annexation opportunities.

Council members debated map boundaries after public comment. Council Member Bavaro moved to adopt the staff-preferred alternative with a narrowly targeted amendment to include four star-marked parcels immediately south of Beckwith so they would be analyzed in the SQA/EIR; Council Member Alvarez seconded. The amended motion passed on a 5-1 roll call — Council Member Ricky voted no — after clerks recorded the votes.

By approving the amended preferred alternative, the council instructed staff and consultants to proceed with environmental review, including detailed studies of water, sewer and transportation impacts and potential mitigation. Hill and staff emphasized that any annexation or development of land would require separate actions by property owners, the city and LAFCO and was not automatic.

What happens next: staff and the consultant team will prepare the SQA/EIR, conduct technical studies and public scoping, and return draft documents and proposed mitigation measures for council review. Any subsequent rezoning, annexation or approvals would require additional hearings and separate city decisions.

Provenance: The General Plan presentation begins with the staff report for Item 15 and associated maps and fiscal analysis; the council's motion and roll-call vote amending the preferred alternative and directing the SQA/EIR are recorded at the meeting's conclusion.