-June 29,2020-
The US Navy pulled out all their guns earlier in June sinking plans for a 362 home subdivision planned by Lennar Homes just east of West Hills College.The Navy even buzzed the Lemoore City Council meeting just when they were discussing the agenda item with the roar of FA-18 Hornets reverberating in council chambers for 45 minutes according to accounts of the June 16 meeting.
Only two weeks earlier (June 2) the council had approved the first reading of a proposed ordinance that had passed the planning commission in May, that would have allowed the big housing project. But after the Navy’s persuasive tactical maneuvers, council decided not to vote on the second reading- essentially torpedoing the project.
Navy spokesperson Christ Fisher remarked” Naval Air Station Lemoore is concerned that the actions (homes) will lead to encroachment of mission, incompatible development, subject individuals to high aircraft noise, and expose our aircrews and future Lemoore residents to unnecessary health and safety risks.” said Fisher.
“Encroachment occurs over time, and ultimately it ends in open hostilities between the military installation and the community. I predict by allowing incompatible development, the city council tipped the domino that will set in motion events that ultimately lead to conflict between NAS Lemoore and the city of Lemoore.”
The Lemoore Leader newspaper describes Lemoore City Manager Nate Olson’s response to the Navy opposition to a development- not on the west side of the college but to the east of it.
“Lemoore City Manager Nathan Olson said a lot of time and money was put into the proposed housing tract and reminded the council and navy officials that future development ends at the college.
“We had a deal that we would not grow past the college,” said Olson. “You’re currently flying over houses that were built decades ago. I feel like the city has kept up our end of the agreement. We are still six miles away. That is far from encroachment, and we don’t control any of that land to the west of us.”
“It’s not fair to stop and unwind all the work we’ve done,” said the Lemoore city manager. “We have spent a lot of time, effort, and money in making this happen.”
He added that economic development is essential to the city’s growth and stability. “We have a great developer that wants to invest in our city, and we’re sitting here doing this? This has been decades in the making. I’m frustrated. I know where you’re coming from, but West Hills College is not going to kill NAS Lemoore. It just isn’t.”
But Navy authorities were adamant noting that the base provides over $1 billion in economic impact to the local economy and repeating that “ the encroachment could have a catastrophic impact on NAS Lemoore’s mission.” They point to the fact that low level flights will occur over the 362 homes with future residents subject to sound levels ranging from 89 to 101 decibels.
They add that they are pouring money into the navy airfield with planned and on-going expenditures of almost $1 billion.
Standing withe the Navy
In the end, the majority on the council appeared to be convinced they would just not vote on the agenda item, slamming the brakes on the project Lennar, one of the nation’s top builders, had been working with the city on the big project project for almost a year.
The Lemoore Leader describes the discussions this way.
Olson simplified the argument by telling council members that the Navy’s solution is to not build houses, and the city wants to build new homes and grow. If the Navy succeeds in its argument, “nobody’s going to want to come to Lemoore and build houses. This is not good for the city.”
Mayor pro tem John Plourde wondered out loud whether it was in the best interest of the city of Lemoore to have homes, a lot of them, at that location while the Navy sits just 7.3 miles away. “There’s been a lot of planning. I was kind of swayed both ways.”
Mayor Eddie Neal chimed in: “When it comes to the safety of my community, I’m going to stand with the Navy. That’s where I’m at,” he said as councilmembers failed to make a motion and vote.