Documented by Josef Sibala
Here’s what you need to know:
- The City of Fresno Planning Commission recommended adoption to the city council of a municipal code text amendment related to the zone districts where razor wire fencing is permitted. The city council initiated the measure to provide additional security measures for businesses where security fencing is permitted.
- The commission approved a tract map for a 66-lot Granville Homes residential subdivision near Ashlan and Grantland avenues. A 11.79-acre property will be developed to include open spaces, in addition to a two-acre neighborhood park, according to Drew Phelps of Granville Homes.
Follow-up questions:
- How will the text amendment on razor wire fencing affect businesses?
- How will residents benefit from the Vesting Tentative Tract Map?
The Scene
The City of Fresno Planning Commission meeting took place on Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. The commission meets on the first and third Wednesdays of the month (unless otherwise noted) at 6:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers located at 2600 Fresno Street, 2nd floor.
They make decisions and recommendations on city planning issues and review proposals for compliance with the General Plan to make recommendations to the City Council.
Commission Members:
- Chairperson Peter Vang
- Vice Chair Brad Hardie
- Commissioner Haley M Wagner
- Commissioner Kathy Bray
- Commissioner Monica Diaz
- Commissioner Jacqueline Lyday
Commissioner not present:
- Commissioner David Criner
Others present:
- Director of Planning and Development Jennifer Clark
- Chris Lang from the Planning and Development Department
- Planner Adrienne Asadoorian
- Planning Manager Israel Trejo
- City Attorney Kristi Costa
- Andrew Phelps from Granville Homes
Discussions/Actions
VIII-A Consideration of Text Amendment Application No. P23-01018 and related Environmental Finding for Environmental Assessment No. P23-01018, amending Section 15-2009 of the Fresno Municipal Code, relating to Zone Districts where razor wire fencing is permitted.
1. The commission (6-0) recommended the adoption (to the City Council) of a finding outlined in Environmental Assessment No. P23- 01018, that Text Amendment Application No. P23-01018 is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) under Section 15303/Class 3.
2. The commission (6-0) recommended the adoption (to the City Council) of Text Amendment Application No. P23-01018, to amend Section 15-2009 of the Fresno Municipal Code, relating to the Zone Districts where razor wire fencing is permitted.
Planner Adrienne Asadoorian said that Resolution No. 2019-248 will amend Section 15-2009 of the Fresno Municipal Code to allow razor wire in certain circumstances.
The City Council initiated the measure to provide additional security measures for businesses where security fencing is permitted.
Section 15-2009 on security fencing will allow razor wire, upon application of a permit with the City of Fresno, in the following situations:
- Where required by law
- Where used to contain livestock
- Commercial Districts were not visible from any street, highway, public open space, recreation area, or Residential District.
- Industrial Districts, unless it abuts a Residential District or is located within 100 feet of a park or other public open space
- Construction Sites as a temporary fence
She said City staff met with district committees on the following dates.
- District 1: September 14, 2023
- District 2: April 10, 2023
- District 3: April 11, 2023
- District 4: This committee is currently inactive.
- District 5: September 11, 2023
- District 6: April 17, 2023
- Tower District Design Review Committee: May 2, 2023
She mentioned that city staff have consulted with staff from Fresno Council of Government, who oversee the airport land use commission, and determined that additional review was unnecessary due to the limited scope of the text amendment.
VIII-B Consideration of Vesting Tentative Tract Map No. 6388/UGM and the related Environmental Assessment No. T-6388.
The property is located on the north side of the West Ashlan Avenue alignment between North Grantland Avenue and the North Garfield Avenue alignment.
1). The commission (6-0) adopted Environmental Assessment No. T-6388, dated October 18, 2023, an addendum to the Final Environmental Impact Report (EIR) State Clearinghouse (SCH) No. 2020039061 for the proposed project under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
2. The commission (6-0) approved Vesting Tentative Tract Map No. 6388/UGM proposing to subdivide the approximate 11.79-acre property into a 66-lot single-family residential development subject to compliance with the Conditions of Approval dated November 1, 2023, and the related environmental assessment.
Chris Lang from the Planning and Development Department said the subject is approximately 11.79 acres of property located on the north side of the West Ashlan Avenue Alignment between the North Garfield Avenue Alignment and North Grantland Avenue.
An Environmental Impact Report (EIR) was prepared for the Parc West development on June 30, 2020, and was adopted by the City Council on January 28, 2021.
The EIR analyzed impacts for the future development of 844 single-family residential units.
At the time of EIR approval, the design of T-6388 was yet to be discovered.
A supplement to EIR SCH No. 2020039061 was prepared on October 18, 2023, which identifies technical changes to the project and does not result in new or more severe impacts.
The map proposes to subdivide the approximate 11.79-acre property into a 66-lot single-family residential development at an overall density of approximately 5.6 dwelling units per acre (du/ac)
Planned land use of Medium Density Residential (5-12 du/ac).
Drew Phelps from Granville Homes said the map is the last tentative map from the Park West development, particularly for single families.
He added that the proposed map will provide open spaces in addition to the two-acre neighborhood park in the overall master plan development area. He shared that the traffic signal mitigation impact should be examined.
.
The meeting adjourned at 7.00 p.m. The Fresno Planning Commission is scheduled to meet again Nov. 15.
If you believe anything in these notes is inaccurate, please email us at Fresnodocs@thefresnoland.com with “Correction Request” in the subject line.