Appeal on Lowe’s set for Tuesday

Natural landscape advocates will try again to persuade city leaders to preserve what they claim is a Mussel Slough remnant in the property earmarked for the Lowe's shopping center.

On Tuesday, the Hanford City Council will revisit the planning commission's earlier decision to approve the strip mall project behind Target.

The commission in August gave Southern California developer David Paynter an OK to build a 20-acre shopping center just northwest of Target near 12th Avenue and Lacey Boulevard, despite persistent opposition from local groups.

A petition to appeal the decision was filed last week by Richard Harriman, an environmental attorney representing Valley Advocates and the Hanford Environmental Awareness Team.

A lawsuit against the city by the groups is already pending over the project.

Paynter has been arguing -- with the backing of city officials -- that the slough remnant has not existed on his property since at least 1965.

Nevertheless, Harriman, as well as members of advocacy groups, insist Paynter's project contains a remnant of Mussel Slough, an ancient water channel. They say the site has historic and ecological values that are to be protected under the city's own land-use policy.

In other business, the council is scheduled to approve a ground lease between the city and the Kings County Area Public Transit Agency for the old depot structure on Seventh Street.

The Hanford City Council meets for a study session at 4 p.m. and reconvenes for a regular session 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.

(Oct. 1, 2007)