-January 17,2022-
Developer opposes Planned Parenthood location
Developer Dave Panyter who owns the Sequoia Mall including the Marshall’s store and Bed Bath and Beyond is opposing a plan by an adjacent shopping center developer, The Orosco Group, to host a new medical clinic in part because he fears they may use his center’s parking places.
Paynter is appealing the Planning Commission approval of the clinic to the City Council this week. Paynter says visitors to the clinic could impact his retailers business. In addition, Paynter says he also opposes the project because it is a Planned Parenthood clinic that could draw protests. Planned Parenthood already has a clinic on Stevenson in Visalia.
CalWater plans one million gallon tank in Downtown Visalia
CalWater District Manager Stephen Johnson says the water company plans a one million gallon water tank along Acequia, east of Downton, that would eventually replace the elevated water tower at Redwood High School. The water tower holds about 340,000 gallons, barely a third of what the proposed new ground tank.”We will replace the elevated tower but not for awhile” he says. The new tank will help bolster water pressure in Downtown.
Big Apartment complex breaks ground
Local builder BJ Perch has broken ground on one of the largest apartment complexes in years in Visalia being built by Gilder Development.The company has received a permit to construct a 219 unit complex at Akers at Sedona on 15 acres, north of Riggin. The city permitted only much smaller complexes that add up to just 204 units total for all last year, only 6 units in 2020 and a total 671 for the past ten years. There are expected to be more multi-family complexes in the pipeline this year.
Tulare County plans industrial bookends at Kern /Fresno county lines
Tulare County is promoting industrial growth at the county’s bookends, rezoning mostly ag land in Tulare County just inside the Kern and Fresno county lines. The county’s economic development manager Mike Washam says the strategy is based on the uptick in industrial demand here.”The secret is to offer lands where infrastructure like water and sewer is available” says Washam. Agreements in place or pending would allow the county to tap into Kingsburg’s municipal infrastructure on 260 acres along both sides of Highway 99 as well as adjacent Delano where there is a plan to rezone 155 acres at County Line Rd. ”We also have an agreement in Goshen where a new industry can use the Visalia municipal sewer system.” Washam says he expects new industrial development could rise at the county’s borders and in Goshen, west of 99, in the next two years. Washam adds in the case of Delano and Kingsburg, Tulare County is planning a tax sharing agreement.The County is using the Visalia sewer for its Sequoia Gateway project. Visalia may ask for a development agreement if the expansion of that big project goes forward.
Pictured: More than half the area in this photo would become industrial just south of Kingsburg
Kaweah Health opens Cardiothoracic Surgery in downtown Visalia
Kaweah Health is opening its Cardiothoracic Surgery Clinic in downtown Visalia. At 505 West Main the t Kaweah Health clinic replaces a private practice cardiac clinic that is now closed.
The 3000sf clinic, open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 505 W. Main St., will be home to Kaweah Health’s cardiothoracic surgery team led by Dr. Frederick Mayer. The clinic will offer patients surgical procedures to treat diseases and conditions of the heart and chest performed at Kaweah Health Medical Center.
“We are happy to welcome back Dr. Frederick Mayer, who led our inaugural cardiothoracic program,” said Gary Herbst, Chief Executive Officer of Kaweah Health, whose program is one of Healthgrades’ America’s 50 Best Hospitals for Cardiac Surgery. “It has been great to see him return to Kaweah Health and be welcomed with such open arms by our physicians and staff.”
Tulare groundwater sinks
In December 2020, Tulare’s average standing water level depth was 196 feet. In December 2021, the average standing water level depth was 204 feet, representing an 8-foot drop from a year ago the city utility board heard.