A major development project in southwest Fresno faces a new hurdle toward completion just weeks after gaining approval from the Fresno City Council.
A southern California environmental group has filed a lawsuit against the city over the project being developed by international real estate firm Scannell Properties.
The backstory: Scannell Properties plans to develop 48 acres located at the northeast corner of N. Marks and W. Nielsen Avenues, totaling a $100 million warehouse project.
- Last month the city council rejected an appeal of the project, allowing it to move forward.
- The property would be developed to have four offices and warehouse buildings that would be configured for heavy industrial uses, totalling over 900,000 square feet.
The big picture: Golden State Environmental Justice Alliance, based out of Corona, has filed a lawsuit against the city and Scannell Properties alleging that the project would result in damaging emissions to a region already burdened by pollution.
- Golden State Environmental Justice had already appealed the decision along with Arias to the council.
- The environmental justice group filed the lawsuit in the Fresno County Superior Court on March 1, claiming the project’s environmental review violates state law.
What they’re saying: The lawsuit came as no surprise to Scannell Properties.
- Nick Audino, the project’s broker, told GV Wire that the company plans to move forward with construction.
- “I think we knew that there were going to be some additional challenges that came after our city council approval,” Audino told the publication. “But the city council approval was a major step in the process for Scannell and whatever remains before we’re able to get vertical with new construction is simply what’s next.”
