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Traffic issue backs up subdivision plans
| Thursday, May 18 2006 11:10 PM
Last Updated: Thursday, May 18 2006 11:14 PM
Concerns over traffic are hindering the approval of a planned subdivision at Gosford Road and Ming Avenue.
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In other business, the Bakersfield planning commission voted Thursday in favor of zoning changes for the McAllister Ranch project and a senior citizen condominium development.
Commission members voted 4-0 to postpone their decision on McIntosh & Associates' proposed 217-lot development at Gosford Road and Ming Avenue to June 1.
Commissioner Ted McGinnis said speeding is a problem along Gosford Road. He would like to see police reports on the number of accidents at the corner of Gosford Road and Ming Avenue, he said.
"A traffic study may be in order on Gosford Road," McGinnis said. "It could alleviate some doubts I personally have about the project."
Roger McIntosh, an engineer representing property owner Castle & Cooke, said a traffic light had been requested for the subdivision's entrance on Gosford Avenue in the original plan. McIntosh said he had been told by traffic engineer Steve Walker that the signal would be denied because it would be in conflict with the synchronicity of the rest of the traffic signals along Gosford Road.
Walker wasn't at the meeting.
The signal would make entering and leaving the subdivision safer, McGinnis said. He told McIntosh he would not support the project until he gets more information about traffic problems in that area.
"I want to hear why we can't do a traffic signal," he said.
Vice Chairman Ted Blockley recused himself from voting.
While McIntosh has to wait for an answer, the 2,080-acre McAllister Ranch project received unanimous approval in changing its zoning from agricultural to a variety of other uses, including residential and commercial.
The zoning change qualifies the 3.25-square-mile master-planned community for annexation to the city. The Local Agency Formation Commission will eventually make the annexation decision.
McAllister Ranch is bounded by the Sunset Pacific rail line to the north, Panama Lane to the south, and between South Allen Road to the east and Nord Avenue to the west.
Also unanimously approved was a zoning change for a senior citizen community from one-family dwelling to planned unit development.
The development, at the northeast corner of Stine and Berkshire roads, had at least one neighbor unhappy with the decision.
"The commission should protect the privacy of residents in the area," said Terry Russell, who contends that balconies in the condos will allow seniors to look into nearby homes and yards.
But the commissioners said the developer did plenty to address privacy concerns. Changes made to the proposal included increasing the building setback along the east property line from 15 feet to 30 feet and planting 72-inch box California pepper trees to screen balcony overlooks not already screened by existing eucalyptus trees.
Benjamin T. Lingo, a representative of Lynx Realty & Management, said they did their best in taking neighbors' concerns into consideration while changing the plan.
The commissioners agreed.
"I'm sorry Mr. Russell doesn't like where the road is, but he can't get it all," McGinnis said.
Chairwoman Barbara Lomas was impressed with the concessions the plan made to neighboring homeowners.
"You've done more than most developers do in mitigating impact to the community," Lomas said.
Commissioners Murray Tragish and Jeff Tkac were not at the meeting.