Documenter: Heather Halsey Martinez
Here’s what you need to know
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The Fresno Planning Commission met in council chambers for the first time since prior to the pandemic. The commission has adopted a hybrid model, which still allows commissioners and members of the public to join via Zoom, but that may change in August.
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New commissioner Robert Fuentes joined the meeting for the first time since being appointed by Mayor Jerry Dyer in May. He replaces Debra McKenzie, whose term expired June 30.
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The commission approved a gated, 90-lot single family residential development by Granville Homes on the northwest corner of East Clinton and North Armstrong Avenues.
The meeting (in full)
The Scene
The Fresno Planning Commission meeting took place on Wednesday, July 21, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. For the first time since prior to the pandemic, some of the commissioners met in the council chambers, while others joined via Zoom. The agenda states that public comments can still be submitted electronically or via Zoom. Meetings also continue to be viewable on CMAC and the City of Fresno’s YouTube channel, although this meeting wasn’t available to watch live on YouTube.
Names of officials:
Kathy Bray, Chairperson (also owner of Denham Resources)
Brad Hardie, Vice Chair (also President of Regency Property Management)
David Criner, Commissioner (also pastor at Saint Rest Baptist Church)
Peter Vang, Commissioner (also Associate at Thiesen Dueker Financial Consulting Group)
Monica Diaz, Commissioner
Haley Wagner, Commissioner (also insurance agent for the Arthur J. Gallagher brokerage)
Robert Fuentes, Commissioner (also a staff attorney for the U.S. District Court in Fresno)
New commissioner, Robert Fuentes, joined the meeting for the first time since being appointed by Mayor Jerry Dyer in May. He replaces the seat previously filled by Debra McKenzie, whose term expired June 30.
Wagner was in council chambers and led the commission in the Pledge of Allegiance. During roll call, some technical issues arose with the audio and feedback so Bray called a five-minute recess to address them.
When the meeting was back in session, roll was called. Criner, Fuentes and Vang joined via Zoom with their videos on, while Bray, Hardie, Diaz and Wagner were in chambers.
Actions
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Approved unanimously the agenda.
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Approved unanimously a tentative tract map, planned development application and related environmental assessment for 17.92 acres on the northwest corner of East Clinton and North Armstrong Avenues.
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Chris Lang of the Planning and Development Department presented the item.
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The development is proposed as a gated 90-lot single family residential neighborhood with reduced front and side yard setbacks.
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Sidewalks are proposed on at least one side of the streets, as well as a, “pocket park.”
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Fuentes asked what are the standard setback requirements and what are the proposed modifications. He also asked how common the reductions are.
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Lang said 13 feet to ten feet, side yards three feet on each side and they require eight feet total so they are reduced by two feet. He said it is not uncommon and they’ve allowed it before.
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The applicant, Gary Giannetta for Granville Homes, was in chambers and said they are in agreement with staff.
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Wagner asked him why they wanted the reduction in setbacks.
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He answered that they are minimums so the majority of the lots will have much bigger setbacks when they plan the development.
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All commissioners voted yes.
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Director of Planning and Development Jennifer Clark welcomed new commissioner Fuentes and the commissioners back to council chambers. She said meetings will be available to participate in online and in-person through August. But they will be evaluating the hybrid model to determine whether online participation will be available going forward.
Bray then opened the meeting for public comments and no comments were made.
The meeting adjourned at 6:32 p.m. Future meetings are scheduled for August 4 and 18 and usually occur on the first and third Wednesdays of the month.
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