ATWATER -- The Planning Commission on Wednesday approved a 600-acre
annexation that could bring as many as 6,000 people to the city in
coming years.
The decision cleared one hurdle for the Atwater Ranch subdivision,
a 2,000-home community planned for an area off of Applegate Road south
of the city.
Florsheim Homes of Stockton, the project's developer, has
already created detailed plans for the subdivision even though the
company likely won't break ground for at least a year.
Robert Florsheim, the developer, said the project would be the
largest that his company has undertaken. He said he wanted to build a
complete community with parks and an elementary school.
Steven Herum, Florsheim's attorney, said the subdivision could
set a new precedent for development in the city.
"This is a different project that you have not seen in Atwater," he said.
The subdivision would sit on about 400 acres south of Atwater Jordan
Road. The company needed the other 200 acres to make the annexation
plan work, but that land is not slated for development.
Atwater Ranch would include housing at various densities, including
condominiums, single family homes and some larger-lot mansion-style
homes. It also would have two central parks and bike lanes throughout
the subdivision.
Planning Commissioner Hans Marsen said he was impressed by
Florsheim's project.
"I need to pinch myself. I think I'm seeing things I've never seen
in Merced County," he said.
The commission approved the annexation unanimously. The City Council
still has to sign off on it, as does Merced County's Local Agency
Formation Commission.
No one spoke against the project at the commission meeting.
Florsheim said he wanted to gain final approval this summer, and break
ground before the end of the year.
Florsheim already has a contract from two landowners to develop the
property, which is now used as an orchard.
