Here’s what you need to know:
- The Fresno Planning Commission approved a 26-lot, gated Granville Homes subdivision on North Chestnut Ave., north of East Teague Ave. in District 6. Chestnut Ave. will be widened in that area as a condition of approval.
- The commissioners also received an overview of the State of California Senate Bill (SB) 330, commonly referred to as the Housing Crisis Act of 2019. It will require the city to look at what land was zoned for in 2018 rather than today, if ever considering a reduction in density, height or floor area ratio.
- For the fifth time, a decision on a development agreement between the city of Fresno and Parc West Development, Inc. was further continued to May 4. The project pertains to approximately 160 acres located on the west side of Grantland Avenue between West Ashlan and West Gettysburg Avenues.
The meeting (in full)
The Scene
The Fresno Planning Commission meeting took place on Wednesday, April 6, 2022 at 6:00 p.m. The agenda states that public comments can still be submitted electronically or via Zoom or call in. Meetings also continue to be viewable on CMAC.
The commission currently has two open seats after former Chair Kathy Bray resigned in November 2021, reportedly with the intention to run for the Fresno Unified School Board, and Robert Fuentes resigned in January 2022 to move back to his hometown of Porterville.
Names of officials:
Peter Vang, Chairperson (also Associate at Thiesen Dueker Financial Consulting Group)
Brad Hardie, Vice Chair (also President of Regency Property Management)
David Criner, Commissioner (also pastor at Saint Rest Baptist Church)
Monica Diaz, Commissioner
Haley Wagner, Commissioner (also insurance agent for the Arthur J. Gallagher brokerage)
Vang, Wagner and Diaz are in council chambers. Hardie was present by audio and Criner was absent.
Director of Planning & Development Jennifer Clark was also in council chambers.
Actions
- Approved the minutes of the July 21, 2021 and March 2, 2022 meetings.
- As noted in the agenda prior to the meeting, a hearing to consider a Parc West development agreement has been further continued to May 4. The project pertains to approximately 160 acres located on the west side of Grantland Avenue between West Ashlan and West Gettysburg Avenues.
- Approved vesting tentative tract map and Planned Development Permit (PDP) application and environmental assessment for approximately 4.41 acres of property located on the west side of North Chestnut Ave., north of East Teague Ave. in District 6.
- Presented by Rob Holt of the Planning & Development Department.
- Approve modifying the zone to allow for a reduction in lot size, front, interior side, street side and rear yard setbacks, an increase in lot coverage and gated private streets.
- Gated 26-lot single family residential subdivision by Granville Homes.
- Submitted by Gary Giannetta of Giannetta Engineering.
- Drew Phelps, entitlement manager for Granville Homes, is in council chambers.
- He said this is an opportunity for in-fill development and to take advantage of the small site.
- 1,630 to 2,675 square feet homes will be available in the subdivision.
- He said they did run the numbers on what a block wall would run versus a wood fence and said it would be about $100,000. So they would request a wood fence as required.
- Wagner asked if they would be single or two story homes.
- He said it would be both.
- She asked about how it would impact the views of other homes.
- He said they try to not put balconies next to each other. But it’s too early to know what models will be on what lots.
- Vang asked if any other neighbors had reached out.
- Phelps said no, some concerns about parking, but that shouldn’t be an issue with this neighborhood.
- Adrian Parignon lives in the neighboring Marquis Collection development.
- He said he has a list of concerns and asked if there is consideration of widening Chestnut Ave. because it goes to a one lane road there.
- Phelps said they would be widening Chestnut Ave. and it is a condition of the project.
Workshop
- The commissioners received an overview of the State of California Senate Bill (SB) 330, commonly referred to as the Housing Crisis Act of 2019:
- Will Tackett with the Planning & Development Department presented the workshop.
- He said projects do have to be in line with zoning ordinance or general plan land use designation.
- He said for reductions in density, height or floor area ratio they have to consider what land was zoned for in 2018 versus what it is zoned for today.
- The city can not enact a moratorium unless necessary to protect public health and safety.
- Permit streamlining act was originally enacted in 1977 to expedite the processing of permits for development projects.
- SB 8 extended the operation of the Act until Jan. 1, 2030.
- Wagner asked about ADUs and next-gen homes.
- Tackett said ADUs are allowed through other bills and aren’t counted in the density for or against.
- Tackett said that staff is looking at the existing SDU ordinance to be consistent with the state provisions.
- He said some units may be eligible for impact fee waivers, setback requirements, fire sprinkler requirements, parking reductions.
- Wagner asked about existing condemned buildings.
- Tackett said he believes it pertains to occupied units.
- Vang asked about items being on their fifth hearing.
- Tackett said they would have to work with the staff attorney on that and whether it results in automatic approval or automatic denial.
- He asked him if he read the entire bill himself and he said that he did pretty much, but doesn’t know the legal ins and outs.
- Will Tackett with the Planning & Development Department presented the workshop.
In closing, Clark thanked Tackett for the presentation.
The meeting adjourned at 6:53 p.m. The next meeting is scheduled for April 20. They usually occur on the first and third Wednesdays of the month.
If you believe anything in these notes is inaccurate, please email us at Documenters-admin@fresnoland.org with “Correction Request” in the subject line.