OPPOSITION
The River Walk proposal is counter to the recommended policies of Stanislaus County’s LAFCO (Local Agency Formation Commission). This policy states that development should be guided away from agricultural and prime agricultural land.
The River Walk proposal would remove the current Agricultural Resource Conservation designation in the proposed project area and represents a significant shift in General Plan policies and guidelines.
The River Walk proposal is an example of leap-frog development and sprawl. It will likely cause the following:
Major Congestion and Air Pollution:
Traffic will already be increasing as the Crossroads Project continues to be built with new stores such as Costco also coming into the area. Oakdale Road, Coffee Road and McHenry Ave. will be seeing much more traffic. With the construction of a new expressway where Claribel Rd. is now, more non-local people will be coming to shop and eat in the area. The city’s bus system is inadequate to provide much, if any, traffic alleviation. With more vehicles and traffic delays will come an increase in air pollution.
Loss of Prime Farmland:
We are living in a time of climate change. Farmable land is disappearing all over the world. Looking only five or ten years ahead to judge the impact of our decisions no longer makes sense. Our prime farmland may, in the not so distant future, be crucial to help feed ourselves and local communities. Paving over such valuable land in this time of climate change seems very unwise.
Higher Sewer Rates:
In December 2022, Riverbank approved a significant sewer rate increase to take place over 5 years beginning in January 2023 as follows: 18%,18%,18%,18%, and 15%. It was stated in public meetings repeatedly that this was needed “for current and future growth.” However, in 2016, when Riverbank sought approval to add the 1,500 acres for Crossroads West, they publicly stated that they had adequate existing services to cover the growth associated with this new development. If so, why are they raising sewer taxes by 87% over the next 5 years? If the large River Walk development project goes through will there be additional similar hikes in sewer rates no matter what city officials tell us?
Developers pay for expansions to a city’s sewer and water system, but are not responsible for their maintenance afterwards. Riverbank recently raised its sewer rates. It was said that this was to comply with new state mandates. This is true. There are new environmental mandates. It is also true, however, that citizens are rarely informed as to all the reasons for rate hikes - including the upkeep of sewer expansions due to newer development.
Richard O’Brien, our current mayor, recently said that in future development projects,(including River Walk) only those who buy a home or business within the future project will bear the additional cost for expanded sewer services. This is something that remains to be seen.
Loss of Riparian Habitat:
There is more being written these days about the need for maintaining bio- diversity for our well-being and the health of the planet. We can support bio- diversity in our area by stopping more build out near the Stanislaus River when there are other areas available.