The debate over the McKinley Avenue Expressway in South Manteca that’s riled virtually everyone living within a half mile of the possible alignment may simply turn out to be an academic exercise.
That’s because without a new dry levee further to the south it won’t be built as the area lacks state-mandated 200-year flood protection.
Manteca’s historic method of building major roads is to have development build them in bits and pieces as growth occurs. But large scale development won’t be able to get within a mile of the alignment in most places as building homes can’t take place on land within a 200-year flood plan unless a levee is put in place or homes are built on earthen berms or stilts.
And the potential cross or dry levee location could prove equally contentious as the proposed McKinley Avenue alignment as it is envisioned to follow a ridge line that cuts swaths across numerous properties.
The Manteca Planning Commission after hearing 25 speakers speak out Tuesday against the alignment, voted to delay making a recommendation to the City Council to allow them time to explore issues.
Flooding was clearly a big concern with the commission.
Chairman Eric Hayes – who lives near the 120 Bypass and was forced to evacuate during the 1997 floods – noted that “people have short memories.”
A number of speakers pointed out back in 1997 - and a number of other times since 1929 - that two to three feet of water has flooded parts of areas where the expressway is proposed.
That’s because without a new dry levee further to the south it won’t be built as the area lacks state-mandated 200-year flood protection.
Manteca’s historic method of building major roads is to have development build them in bits and pieces as growth occurs. But large scale development won’t be able to get within a mile of the alignment in most places as building homes can’t take place on land within a 200-year flood plan unless a levee is put in place or homes are built on earthen berms or stilts.
And the potential cross or dry levee location could prove equally contentious as the proposed McKinley Avenue alignment as it is envisioned to follow a ridge line that cuts swaths across numerous properties.
The Manteca Planning Commission after hearing 25 speakers speak out Tuesday against the alignment, voted to delay making a recommendation to the City Council to allow them time to explore issues.
Flooding was clearly a big concern with the commission.
Chairman Eric Hayes – who lives near the 120 Bypass and was forced to evacuate during the 1997 floods – noted that “people have short memories.”
A number of speakers pointed out back in 1997 - and a number of other times since 1929 - that two to three feet of water has flooded parts of areas where the expressway is proposed.
