Previously Rejected Clovis Apartment Project Gets a Reprieve

A proposed apartment complex that was denied in March received new life from the Clovis City Council.

The city council denied a 12-unit market-rate apartment complex on Alluvial Avenue, east of Sunnyside Avenue on March 6. During the vote, the city council asked city staff and the builders to come back with fixes to make it more palpable to neighbors.

With some changes to the aesthetics and height of the project, the city council voted 5-0 to move forward on Monday night. The vote was in three parts — to reverse the 3-1 vote against the project in March, and two votes to rezone the property to allow for apartments.

City Councilwoman Lynne Ashbeck voted no in March, concerned about the project’s design matching the neighborhood. She said such projects can work next to single-family homes and churches, citing her neighborhood as an example.

“People were up in arms around apartments next to single-family homes, and they really do blend in. So you have a church, multiple family, and your neighborhood. It does work over time,” Ashbeck said.

A before and after rendering for an Alluvial Avenue apartment complex. (City of Clovis)

Developer’s Changes

At the March meeting, Ashbeck presented concerns about the project clashing with the neighborhood. Developer Stallion Development and Construction went back to the drawing board.

The apartment designers changed the look, from a flat roof to a cross-gabled roof. Also, the colors changed to creamy white stucco and stone veneer.

The design also shaved about five feet from the height of the top floor. Windows were removed from the east-facing side that is adjacent to an existing neighborhood.

“I want to acknowledge your work on the elevations. I am certainly not an architect, so I spoke harshly about that. But I do feel like this at least looks like Clovis. I think it will make the visual image down Alluvial nicer,” Ashbeck said.

Neighbors speaking at the meeting still had reservations about balconies overlooking their backyards.

Dan Zack, representing the developer, said they increased the space between the building and the fences. They also plan on using landscaping to protect privacy.

The city also took another look at how much traffic the apartment complex would generate. An analysis concluded that it would only generate two more trips than for what the land is currently zoned, and a full study was not needed. Also, city staff recommended restriping Alluvial Avenue to a center turn lane to alleviate safety concerns.

Even with the rezone changes, there is still more work before final approval, including a site plan review, and a building permit.