Welcome to STOP the River Walk, a community-led coalition committed to protecting the land, environment, and quality of life in and around the city of Riverbank.
Our mission
We seek to preserve the integrity of the region’s agricultural resources, safeguard riparian habitats along the Stanislaus River, and champion responsible growth by opposing the proposed “River Walk” expansion — the annexation and rezoning of roughly 1,500 acres bounded by Patterson Road, McHenry Avenue and the Stanislaus River.
Why we act:
- The proposed development would remove Agricultural Resource Conservation protections in the project footprint, significantly shifting longstanding General Plan policies.
- The plan would add pressure to local infrastructure systems — for example, increased sewer and water burdens and maintenance costs ultimately borne by taxpayers.
- More development means more traffic congestion and air pollution, especially given constrained public transit options in the area.
- Expansion into the Stanislaus River corridor threatens irreplaceable riparian habitat and biodiversity at a time when such ecosystems are of national and global importance.
What we stand for:
- Protecting farmland, green space and the scenery that define our community’s character.
- Ensuring growth that is equitable, sustainable and aligned with existing plans and infrastructure capacity.
- Empowering local voices: we believe that residents—especially those in Riverbank’s city limits—should have meaningful say through democratic processes about where and how the city grows to protect your quality of life an utility rates.
- Transparently monitoring proposed changes, holding decision‑makers accountable, and enabling informed community engagement.
How you can join us:
- If you live within the city limits of Riverbank and are a registered voter, you can help us by voting YES on the initiative that will be on the November 2026 ballot.
- Attend Council meetings to make sure your voice is heard. There is a “Public Comments” agenda section at every meeting.
- You can also get a yard sign and help spread the word.
Meet our team
For questions or to get involved, please contact:
Jami Aggers
(209) 450‑5110
aggersja@aol.com
John Harrison
jalbertharrison@gmail.com
FAQs
What is the River Walk project?
The River Walk project is a proposed master-planned development west of the current City of Riverbank. It would expand the city’s sphere of influence by about 1,500+ acres and annex roughly 1,000 acres for development that includes low-, medium-, and high-density housing, mixed-use areas, and parks.
Where is the proposed River Walk area located?
The project area lies in unincorporated Stanislaus County, directly west of Riverbank. It is generally bounded by Patterson Road/State Route 108 on the south, McHenry Avenue on the west, and the Stanislaus River on the north.
How many homes and what types of uses are being considered?
Current plans call for approximately 2,200–2,400 homes on about 1,000 acres, along with businesses and parks. The plan also includes a “flexible design” provision that could increase the total number of homes by at least 500, potentially bringing the total closer to 3,000.
Why are some residents concerned about farmland?
Much of the project area is designated as prime agricultural land by the State of California and is currently used to grow crops such as cherries and watermelons. Opponents argue that converting this land to urban uses would permanently remove productive farmland and an important groundwater-recharge area.
How does the project relate to Stanislaus County LAFCO policies?
Stanislaus County’s Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) policies recommend guiding urban development away from agricultural and prime agricultural land. Critics argue that the River Walk proposal conflicts with this policy because it focuses large-scale urban development on prime farmland in the county.
Why is the Stanislaus River corridor part of the discussion?
The proposed development borders the Stanislaus River and includes land within a designated floodplain and riparian habitat area. Residents concerned about the project emphasize the importance of this corridor for wildlife, biodiversity, flood safety, and groundwater recharge, and question whether urban development so close to the river is appropriate.
What is the Urban Growth Boundary Initiative?
The Urban Growth Boundary Initiative is a local ballot measure that would require majority voter approval before the City of Riverbank could authorize urban development on agricultural or open-space lands west of the current city limits. It is intended to give voters a direct say on large development proposals in that area.
Does the initiative stop all development west of Riverbank?
No. The measure includes exceptions, such as situations where the City must meet state-mandated fair-share housing requirements (as certified by the California Department of Housing and Community Development), ancillary agricultural uses like farmworker housing, projects with vested development rights, and certain wastewater treatment facilities.
Where can I read official documents about the River Walk project?
Key documents include:
- The Urban Growth Boundary Initiative text and the Notice of Preparation (NOP), which are posted on the “Documents” page of the Stop the River Walk site.
- The Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) and River Walk Specific Plan materials available on the City of Riverbank website under Planning → River Walk Project.
How can I stay informed about meetings and timelines?
The Stop the River Walk site maintains an Updates section with recent news, key dates, and links to council agendas and public comment deadlines. The City of Riverbank also posts meeting agendas and project documents on its official website.
Who runs the Stop the River Walk website?
Stop the River Walk is a community-run effort organized by local residents who are critical of the River Walk proposal and support giving voters a direct say on large west-of-city development decisions. Contact names and email addresses for organizers are listed on the “What You Can Do” and “Updates” pages of the site.
Contact Us
- Join our cause.
- Get updates.
- Stay connected.