Clovis is a step closer growing to the north.

The city council Monday night gave partial approval to a new home development that will eventually add more than 600 moderate-to-above-moderate rate homes — some in a gated community — developed by Wilson Homes. The project was first proposed in 2016.

In a five-hour meeting, with an agenda nearly 4,000 pages, the city council agreed to three of nine elements. The remainder were tabled until May 6. However, the council approved perhaps the most significant elements — to accept the environmental report, expand the city’s sphere of influence, and annex 155 acres into the city.

Other land use items, such as amending the general plan and rezones, will be heard later.

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The land is north of Shepherd Avenue, between Sunnyside and Fowler, and east of another major home project — Heritage Grove.

The homes are expected to help increase the city’s inventory. The city will need more than 8,000 new homes as part of its housing element.

“(The Wilson Homes project) definitely does provide a benefit to our RHNA (Reginal Housing Needs Assessment) inventory,” said Renee Mathis, Clovis planning and development services director.

Mathis said the project is one of the biggest in recent times.

Neighbors Weigh In

The project would widen Shepherd Avenue from two to four lanes, and create parks and trails. The city will retire wells on the property, and provide water.

Neighboring residents did speak against the project at Monday’s meeting, concerned about traffic, water quality, and the project’s density.

Wilson Homes plans three different developments, with the more densely developed area (approximately 9 units per acre), just north of Shepherd Avenue. A less dense development (about 5 units per acre) will be north of that.

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Other speakers supported the project, with several local business owners talking about the need for employee housing.

The council said it wanted to wait until fully approving the project to address resident concerns.

“I really support this project. I really want this to work. I just don’t think we are there,” Mayor Lynne Ashbeck said. “We can do better. We are so close.”

Traffic along Sunnyside Avenue was of particular concern. The city will meet with county officials because part of the road is in unincorporated areas.