CLOVIS, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – People in northeast Clovis are pushing back against the proposed Vista Ranch community.
The plan would allow a developer to build nearly 3,000 homes on just under a thousand acres of land.
Neighbor Kati Thomson said the already busy stretch of road on Fowler Avenue between Perrin and Behymer is only going to get busier if the project gets approved.
“Our hope is that they’re going to look at the needs of the people that are already here before they add thousands and thousands and thousands of more people,” she said.
Thomson is currently hoping the project does not get approved, at least not in its current form. She said the proposal would bring too many homes to just 952 acres of land.
Thomson says the rural roads aren’t built for that many cars, adding that many young people have already lost their lives in car crashes nearby. She worries more homes in the area would bring too many drivers to this part of town.
She said she and many others are also worried the construction will change how she and her neighbors get their water, if they go from a rural community to being surrounded by a packed suburban neighborhood.
“We all have our own wells, and there have been other developments just across the road that caused all of these rural residences to lose their water supply, and they were forced into a settlement with the city to provide that, and we don’t want that,” she said.
She is also worried about how suburban sprawl will change the feel of the Clovis countryside.
“We’re talking about high-density housing butting up against existing rural residences. It’s a complete loss of lifestyle for all of these property owners,” Thomson said.
The area east of Sunnyside Avenue and north of Shepard Avenue that is being considered is currently not inside Clovis city limits. The city would look to include this land in its “sphere of influence.”
Clovis City Planner McKencie Perez said they are actively asking for community input on the proposal. She said the projects been in the works for a few years.
“Traffic, school impacts, everything. We do that through the environmental review process. That’s why the feedback is very important that we receive to make sure that we’re addressing the concerns,” she said.
Planning documents say the homes would be developed by Wilson Premiere Homes.
Perez says there will be another community meeting from the applicant before going to city council for consideration, which would most likely take place in the Spring of 2027.
Until then, Thomson says she’ll work to make her voice heard and is hoping the city will consider a lower density option with fewer homes being built.
“No matter what kind of mitigation they provide, there is no way to make this road a safe road for that many people, for children and for families,” she said.
Thomson says if you live nearby and want to weigh in on the project, you should make your voice heard to the city by Monday, August 31.
You can learn more by reaching out to the city by emailing [email protected] and clicking here.