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Hanford council approves reduced annexation area for Copper Ridge development; residents raise water and density concerns
Summary
After a public hearing, the council approved a reduced annexation (Annexation 165) and introduced an ordinance to align pre‑zoning with the smaller boundary. Residents at the hearing urged caution on water supply, lot sizes and potential contamination near a former dump site.
The Hanford City Council on Aug. 4 voted to initiate proceedings for Amended Annexation 165 — narrowing the previously approved annexation area — and introduced an ordinance amending the pre‑zone to match the reduced boundary for the Copper Ridge residential project.
Community Development staff summarized the project history: an original annexation and related tentative subdivision and planned unit development (PUD) were previously approved by the council earlier this year; staff said reducing the annexation area produced 100% landowner consent for the amended scope and recommended the council adopt Resolution 26‑54R to initiate the annexation and introduce Ordinance 2,604 for the amended pre‑zone.
During public comment several residents voiced concerns about density, water quality, and potential hazards on or near the site. One resident, Andrea, said she was “concerned about the water” in her neighborhood and asked whether infrastructure and water quality would support 650 additional units. Longtime resident Jim Lugman and others recalled an old dump near the corridor and asked whether environmental studies had examined legacy contamination. A representative for the applicant said the project includes a mix of single‑ and two‑story units and that the previously certified environmental review (a mitigated negative declaration) covered the project area. Staff reiterated the council was not reconsidering the earlier subdivision map, PUD or environmental determination; the evening’s action applied only to the amended annexation boundary.
Councilmember [Paden] moved to approve the amended annexation and the ordinance introduction; the motion carried. (The council recorded the related procedural steps and directed staff to file the application with Kings County LAFCO.)
