Vote on annexation may affect nursery

A local nursery says a proposed annexation would restrict its rights to do business and grow in the future.

The annexation, if approved tonight, would turn the area into an office area, putting the business out of conformance to the land use.

But city officials say a city ordinance does allow the nursery to stay in business and even grow on a limited scale -- with special permits and some additional cost.

These offers aren't good enough for Hofmans Nursery.

The 46-year-old business at Lacey Boulevard and 12-1/2 Avenue still wants a commercial zoning, as opposed to an office zoning for the area requested by a developer.

The controversial 200-acre annexation proposal for the area behind Target would again head the agenda for tonight's Hanford City Council meeting.

The decision has been postponed since June 19 because of this rare yet awkward zoning conflict involving the small local business.

Southern California developer Daniel Bailey wants to build out the area west of Target and Wal-Mart with houses, apartments and offices and seeks land designations for residential and office uses.

Local environmental advocates are opposing the project for a different reason.

Robin Mattos of the Hanford Environmental Awareness Team asks the city to protect what she says is a remnant of Mussel Slough, a waterway that used to connect Kings River and Tulare Lake.

Its name has a historical significance because of the bloody conflict in 1880 between settlers and the railroad that led to the birth of California's law allowing the governor's recall by voters.

In other business, the city council will introduce an amendment to an ordinance to prohibit parking on Ninth Avenue for the Monday flea market.

A study session has been canceled for this week.

The Hanford City Council meets at 7:30 p.m. every first and third Tuesday in Council Chambers, Civic Auditorium, 400 N. Douty St.

The reporter can be reached at 582-0471, ext. 3059.

(July 17, 2007)