Planning Commission
TL;DR
The Fresno Planning Commission elected new leadership, with Kathy Bray becoming Vice Chair and Peter Vang becoming Chair. The commission approved a significant residential development project near West Herndon Avenue, which will add 396 housing units and some commercial space to the city.
Key Decisions
- Election of New Planning Commission Leadership Passed
- Approval of 396-Unit Residential and Commercial Development Approved as Amended
Agenda
- THE PLANNING COMMISSION WELCOMES YOU TO COUNCIL CHAMBERS, LOCATED AT CITY HALL, 2600 FRESNO STREET, FRESNO, CALIFORNIA 93721. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION – Any interested person may appear at the public hearing and present written testimony or speak in favor or against the matters scheduled on the agenda. Public participation during Fresno City Planning Commission meetings is always encouraged and can occur by attending a meeting in the Council Chambers, City Hall, 2nd Floor, 2600 Fresno Street, Fresno, CA 93721. When called to speak during a meeting, you may approach the speaker podium upon the Chair’s call for public comment. All public speakers will have up to 3 minutes to address the Commission pursuant to Rule No. 13 of the Planning Commission Bylaws of the City of Fresno (available in the City Clerk’s Office). SUBMIT DOCUMENTS / WRITTEN COMMENTS – 1. E-mail – Agenda related documents and comments can be e-mailed to the Planning & Development Department. Unless otherwise required by law to be accepted by the City at or prior to a Commission meeting or hearing, no documents shall be accepted for Commission review unless they are submitted to the Planning and Development Department at least 24 hours prior to the commencement of the Commission meeting at which the associated agenda item is to be heard. All comments received at least 24 hours prior will be distributed to the Planning Commission prior and during the meeting and will be a part of the official record, pursuant to Article 4 (3). a. Email comments to PublicCommentsPlanning@fresno.gov. b. Emails should include the agenda date and item number you wish to speak on in the subject line of your email. Include your name and address for the record, at the top of the body of your email. VIEWING PLANNING MEETINGS (non-participatory) – For your convenience, there are ways to view Planning Commission meetings live: 1. Community Media Access Collaborative website: https://cmac.tv/ 2. Cable Television: Comcast Channel 96 and AT&T Channel 99 3. Participate Remotely via Zoom: https://fresno.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_JRC95sI1SW6vrTmNwLLrPw a. The above link will allow you to register in advance for remote participation in the meeting via the Zoom platform. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing additional details about joining the meeting. Should any of these viewing methods listed above experience technical difficulties, the Commission meeting will continue uninterrupted. Commission meetings will only be paused to address verifiable technical difficulties for all users participating via Zoom or in the Chambers. The City of Fresno’s goal is to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Anyone requiring reasonable ADA accommodations, including sign language interpreters, or other reasonable accommodations such as language translation, should contact the office of the City Clerk at (559) 621-7650 or clerk@fresno.gov. To help ensure availability of these services, you are advised to make your request a minimum of 48 hours prior to the scheduled meeting.
- PAGE BREAK
- ROLL CALL
- PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
- PROCEDURES
- For each matter considered by the Commission, there will first be a staff presentation, followed by a presentation from the project applicant. Testimony from supporters of the project will then be taken, followed by testimony from those in opposition. The applicant will have the right to a final rebuttal presentation prior to closing the public hearing. In accordance with section 13 of Article 2 of the Planning Commission Rules and Regulations governing length of public debate, all public testimony from those in support and in opposition of the project will be limited to three minutes per person. The three lights on the podium next to the microphone will indicate the amount of time remaining for the speaker. The green light will be turned on when the speaker begins. The yellow light will come on with a soft bell ring when one minute is remaining. The speaker should be completing the testimony by the time the red light comes on with a final bell indicating time has expired. All public testimony must be presented to the Commission at the podium. Any testimony that references race, religion, ethnicity, economic status, national origin, or any other classification protected under state or federal law in a derogatory manner shall be deemed irrelevant and will not be considered by the Commission in making its land use determinations. If you challenge these land use matters in court, you may be limited to raising only those issues you or someone else raised in oral or written testimony or before the close of the hearing.
- IV. AGENDA APPROVALAction: APPROVED Passed
On motion of Commissioner Diaz, seconded by Commissioner Calandra, the AGENDA was APPROVED. The motion carried by the following vote:
- CONSENT CALENDAR
- REPORTS BY COMMISSIONERS
- CONTINUED MATTERS
- NEW MATTERS
- VIII-A Election of Chair and Vice ChairAction ItemAction: APPROVED Passed
On motion of Vice Chair Bray, seconded by Commissioner Diaz, to elect Peter Vang as Chair. The motion carried by the following vote:
- VIII-B Consideration of an appeal regarding Development Permit Application No. P23-03993, Planned Development Permit Application No. P23-03990, and Conditional Use Permit Application No. P23-03982 for property bounded by West Herndon Avenue to the north, North Hayes Avenue to the west, and North Veterans Boulevard to the east (Council District 2) - Planning and Development Department. 1. DENY the appeal and UPHOLD the action of the Planning and Development Department Director approving Development Permit Application No. P23-03993, Planned Development Permit Application No. P23-03990, and Conditional Use Permit Application No. P23-03982, authorizing the construction of a 396-unit residential and commercial development encompassing approximately 22,666 square feet of gross floor area for future commercial and office uses with one drive-through lane, subject to the following: a. Development shall take place in accordance with the Conditions of Approval for Development Permit Application No. P23-03993, Planned Development Permit Application No. P23-03990, and Conditional Use Permit Application No. P23-03982 dated July 3, 2025.Action ItemAction: APPROVED AS AMENDED Passed
On motion of Commissioner Calandra, seconded by Commissioner Diaz, that the above Action Item be as follows: DENY the appeal and UPHOLD the action of the Planning Department Director, as AMENDED. The motion carried by the following vote:
- REPORT BY SECRETARY
- SCHEDULED ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
- UNSCHEDULED ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
- You may address the Planning Commission at the conclusion of the Commission meeting regarding matters of public interest that are not listed on the agenda and that are within the Commission's jurisdiction. Please be present at the conclusion of the meeting if you wish to be heard. Anyone wishing to be placed on the Planning Commission Agenda should contact the Planning and Development Department (telephone: 559-621-8277) at least 10 days before the desired appearance date.
- ADJOURNMENT
- ID 25-1101 Election of Chair and Vice ChairAction ItemAction: APPROVED Passed
On motion of Commissioner Shergill, seconded by Commissioner Calandra, to elect Kathy Bray as Vice Chair. The motion carried by the following vote: