430 homes planned for open land

The City Council Tuesday night approved a two-year deadline extension for CJ Development’s plan for two land tracts near the area of Fresno Avenue, Beech Avenue and East Tulare Avenue.

A preliminary plan offered by owner Dennis Handel calls for a 430-home development on the land, creating the largest residential subdivision in the city aside from Gossame Grove.

Members Chad Givens and Pete Espinoza recused themselves from the discussion, since they own property within 1,000 feet of the affected tracts. A third member, Mayor Cathy Prout, remained in the discussion despite owning property near the tracts because she drew the high card from a deck – necessary to keep a quorum of the council and allowing the vote.

The proposed development, of which half was owned by Sage Shafter until a recent sale, includes plans for a public park and leaves an oil well owned by Texaco in place.

--Jamie Stewart