New Henderson Ave. subdivision proposed

Developer wants to build up to 31 parcels, east of Mathew

A preliminary subdivision map of up to 31 parcels located on the north of Henderson Avenue, east of Mathew Street was proposed Wednesday at Porterville’s Project Review Committee Meeting.

The city’s PRC provides developers and applicants with a prelimi- nary meeting to evaluate proposed projects. The PRC consists of the zoning administrator, city planner, city engineer, chief building official and fire chief or their designees.

If the project goes through, the parcels would be located in the RS-2, Low Density Residential Zone District.

Elena Barragan with the City of Porterville’s planning division, said if the proposed project includes second stories, an architectural articulation will be required.

Being unable to identify the proposed location of pads on the preliminary subdivision map, Barragan said there is a potential for reverse corner lots.

She also noted that because the proposed project is adjacent to churches, a six-foot high block wall will be required.

Jim Winton, the agent for the proposed project, noted that the sixfoot wall is normally a church requirement, but added that since the church was there first and predated the current city code, they are exempt.

Winton noted, however, that there could be an issue if a church asks the Porterville City Council to waive the wall requirement.

“Every church that I’ve ever done anything for usually comes and asks for the wall to be

taken off the requirements,” Winton said. “It’s pretty common.”

Furthermore, Barragan said Winton and project applicant Brian Ennis would need to install cable, television, electrical telephone connections and other utilities underground.

As far as existing utilities, City Public Works Director Mike Reed said it is the developer’s choice to have them underground or not.

“There is nothing in our code that mandates existing utilities to be underground,” Reed said. “Everything internally in the subdivision has to be underground,

but anything that is existing is a developer’s choice.”

For the sewer connection, Javier Sanchez with the city’s public works department, said the first option would be to have everything flow down to Bel Aire.

“Only thing needed would be to check if there is sufficient cover,” Sanchez said, adding, “If that doesn’t work, the second alternative would be to just go down and tie into Henderson.”

In terms of building, Reed said the preferred option is to go down Bel Aire into Mathew and build something down Mathew rather than dig-

ging up Henderson Avenue.

Porterville Fire Battalion Chief Mitch Sandoval said any fire hydrants will be required to meet the 500-foot interval for residential developments.

Because there are alternate maps for the project, Reed said staff will need to figure out whatever suffices for fire in both instances.

Winton said he and Ennis have plenty of time to meet all of the city’s requirements as they are still in the beginning phases of the project.

“We are not that far along, but we will get there,” Winton said.