Battle is brewing between the City of Visalia and the County with the Board of Supervisors poised to approve the processing of a general plan amendment for a 900,000 sf highway commercial and retail center a the SE corner of Caldwell and Hwy 99.The board will take up the proposal filed by landowner William Travis next Tuesday. In a sharply worded letter penned by City Manager Mike Olmos he wrote that the 126 acre Sequoia Crossing Commerce and Business Center “will discourage investment“within the city boundaries. “The City is very concerned that the proposed development as currently proposed would have a serious effect on the economic well-being of the Mooney Boulevard commercial corridor and Downtown Visalia.” In addition, the letter points to the lack of urban improvements near the interchange,limited sewer nearby and airport conflicts.The December 5 letter says the plan is “premature” given the county’s general plan, already being litigated.
The county staff report points out the big project would be phased with only a highway commercial center moving forward for now with gas stations,hotels and restaurants and little retail. “The project has the potential to capture substantial highway commercial business” says the staff report with this phase being 337,000 sf.
