Judge Hears Arguments in Friant Development Suits

By Jobin Panicker, KSEE24 News

September 21, 2012 Updated Sep 21, 2012 at 8:02 PM PDT

Plans to build a retirement community in Friant could face hurdles in court. The developer plans to build 2,500 homes along the San Joaquin River.

A superior court judge heard a suit brought by the City of Fresno and two other groups. Critics say the developer failed to see the overall impact this community would bring.

"We feel the people who will be living here, the 6,000 to 8,000, should pay their part of the impact to the park," said Coke Hallowell of the San Joaquin River Parkway & Conservation Trust.

Supervisor Henry Perea says the critics have suspect motives saying quote, "Bottom line it's about money. If a developer handed over a check all these problems would go away."

The judge ended deliberations for the day on Friday and no decision was made.

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