Hughson ready to pop with new homes – Turlock Journal

Growth is a touchy subject in Hughson, but the small city of about 7,500 residents is about to see a big jump in population numbers.

Five model homes have been completed and the sales office is open at 1713 Apiary Way for KB Homes’ 56-acre Homes Orchards at Parkwood development. Once the project is fully built out within four to five years, Hughson will have 299 additional homes and an estimated 900 to 1,000 new residents.

The new homes are being constructed south of Hatch Road and just over the sound wall from the rumble of trains along the Santa Fe Railroad tracks.

Kaufman & Broad bought the subdivision map for development from the original proponents who saw the project through the approval stage.

Carla Jauregui, Community Development Director for the City of Hughson, said the project was approved by the Hughson City Council in November 2021 despite opposition from residents who fear Hughson will lose its cozy, small town atmosphere.

Hughson has doubled in population since 2000 and today has 7,518 residents.

As the city looks to update its General Plan and consider future growth, some are pushing against ripping out more orchards to build homes in an expansion of city boundaries.

“It is quite a touchy subject,” said Jauregui. “Growth is kind of not something that the residents are very eager to embrace, but it is something we’re looking at.”

When asked which direction Hughson may expand its city limits, Jauregui replied “we’re not there yet.” But that discussion is expected to take place this year.

Jauregui said Hughson will see some impacts from Parkwood like increased traffic but doesn’t believe they will be major. The city’s wastewater treatment plant on Leedom Road has more than enough capacity for additional growth and the developer is paying fees to offset the impacts to the school system and fire department. Hughson schools are well positioned to take on additional students since the student population has shrunk like other districts have seen as families leave California where cost of living is less.

The lots will range in size from 5,005 to 13,280 square feet. The subdivision also includes 6.14 acres of park/storm retention basin.

The company’s website indicates that homes start at $449,900 plus the costs of solar panels mandated by the state of California and home site premiums that may apply.

KB is offering four floor plans:

• The smallest is a 3-bedroom, two bath home of 1,592 square feet at $449,990.

• The 1,697 square foot home starts at $470,990.

• The four-bedroom, 2 ½ bath  at 1,950 square feet starts at $489,990.

• The largest KB home is 2,161 square feet and starts at $510,990.

The sales office may be reached at 209-448-3010.

Since the building industry has been unable to keep up with demand for new housing, Jauregui believes homes will sell quickly. KB is pulling building permits as they sell and Jauregui said 10-15 are ready for construction.

Efforts to reach KB Homes for comment were unsuccessful.

Infrastructure work for the project has been slow in coming because of a miscalculation of grading elevation for gravity sewer line flows, she said.

Parkwood is the third building project for KB Homes in recent years. The Hughson City Council approved 69 homes in 2006 for Euclid South Development, later renamed Fieldstone subdivision. Building was abruptly interrupted by the 2008 mortgage crash but rejuvenated with the final map approval on March 9, 2020.

The other residential development, named Euclid North, was approved in 2007 and amended in 2017.