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River Walk project session draws concerned residents
RW holmer
One of the many members of the public commenting on the presentation of the proposed River Walk annexation to northwestern Riverbank was former City Manager Rich Holmer. Like many of the others who spoke against the project, Holmer mentioned the proposed three new wells to serve the development, along with the two-million gallon storage tank that would probably negatively impact wells already serving Riverbank residents. He also spoke about irreparable damage to the Stanislaus River, along with problems adding to the load of the wastewater treatment plant, among other issues. Ric McGinnis/The News

In a large, standing room-only special meeting, the combined Riverbank City Council and the City Planning Commission gathered to hear from the developers of a prospective project called River Walk.

The meeting was held at the Riverbank Community Center because there was a large turnout expected from interested members of the public, and they were there.

The meeting was broadcast on the city’s YouTube channel, as usual, and included a lengthy presentation by developers describing details of the extensive plan. However, Zoom-based comments were not allowed and written comments were included in the record, but not read aloud.

Only live comments were presented, and limited to three minutes per person, as at a regular council meeting.

Even so, after the approximately one-hour informational presentation was completed, public comments continued for almost another three hours, making for a very long meeting.

And the joint council-planning commission session was informational only, with no action being taken by either body. They weren’t even allowed to discuss issues with the public, but just hear, and record, the comments and concerns presented.

It’s all part of the lengthy ongoing process that will eventually bring the issue before the Planning Commission for possible approval before then moving to the City Council for consideration.

The project is designed for the unincorporated area of Stanislaus County to the north of Riverbank’s city limits – the land would have to be annexed by the city – and west, to McHenry Avenue.

Nearly every one of the speakers offering comments spoke against the project, citing issues from the number of residential units proposed, to the need for additional wells that will be required for so many new homes and businesses, to hooking up so many to the wastewater treatment plant. There were also comments about the effect on the riparian habitat along the river, with so many endangered species in the area, and impacts on the river itself as well as the potential loss of farmland.

Of all the people speaking against the project, only one spoke in favor – former Riverbank Mayor Richard D. O’Brien.

He noted that the development is being presented as a project primarily for those 55 and older, who he pointed out will therefore have less impact on resources needed to run the operation.

Some opponents to the project have banded together to bring the matter to a vote of the people, but worry that the next regular election won’t be until 2026.