GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) - Three parcels, currently shrub covered fields, were the topic of discussion at Monday’s Gridley City Council Meeting, as they are set to be developed. The 4.7 total acre properties located on northeast corner of Peach Street and eastern side of West-Biggs Gridley Road would be the home of 21 parcels – 20 designated for single family residents and 1 designed as a storm water retention basin.

The properties in question have been approved for development in the past, first in 1993 and again in 2005, but the subdivision maps expired. The new applicant, Hilbers New Home Communities out of Yuba City, has submitted a similar proposal to the previous past two developments. The potential Hilbers Homes development meets the General Plan land use and Housing Element of the City of Gridley and supports its goal notated in the Housing Element Policy – “The City will encourage infill development in meeting the housing needs required by expanding populations.” Larger properties within the city limits or sphere of influence between existing homes are being eyed for developments similar to this one.

The subdivision would consist of 17 homes between the ranges of 3,501-5,999 sq. feet and 3 homes in the range of 6,000-7,499 on roughly 50’ lots, totaling 20 homes. The 21^st lot would act as a storm water detention basin. Of course, improvements to the area would need to be made, especially along the east side of West-Biggs Gridley Road. Those would include the construction of curbs, gutters and landscaping, etc. The Engineer for the project, Genesis Engineering, estimated that the cost of those improvements would run around $357,420. Hilbers has asked the City Council to allow the deferment of those improvements, distributing the cost to each of the twenty parcels, adding approximately $17,871 to the cost of the new homes.

Additionally, Idaho Street would be extended north through Peach Street and become the project’s main artery, with a future extension street to Bridgeford Avenue added to the north end of the development. Glenn Drive would serve as the entrance to the development off of West-Biggs Gridley Road.

Local resident Patrick Coghlan, who lives on nearby Idaho Street, attended the meeting circulating a letter outlining his concerns about the tentative parcel map for the development. Most of Coghlan’s concerns focused on traffic flow, pedestrian safety and the need for the city to ensure the proper development of surrounding streets likely to be impacted by the increase in both motor and pedestrian traffic. Coghlan wrote, “To keep this section of the road safe, I ask that the Gridley Planning Commission require road improvements that keep the same standards used for the construction of Heron Landing and Eagle Meadows and that they be completed to prior to residential occupancy.”

The term “future street improvements” had been tossed around by both applicant, engineer and the city, as property between the Hilbers development and Heron Landing remains an island unincorporated in the development of the area. The hope is that improvements along the eastern side of West Liberty Rd. between the two housing developments will be possible in the future, bridging the gap between the two communities. That is yet to be seen. At this time there is no plan in the engineering schematics to widen West Biggs-Gridley Rd and add a right- hand turning lane into the Hilbers development, like with Heron Landing and Eagle Meadows. Streets to the south of the development, Peach, Idaho and parts of Spruce, are not equipped to handle pedestrian traffic.

Gridley City Council tabled the decision to proceed with the approval of the tentative subdivision map until the next city council meeting in order to further review items of concern.