REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: JENNIFER K. CLARK, AICP, Director
Planning and Development Department
BY: ASHLEY ATKINSON, AICP, Assistant Director
Planning and Development Department
SUBJECT
Title
RESOLUTION - Amending Resolution No. 2025-281 Designating the Property Located at 1844 S Cherry Avenue to the Local Register of Historic Resources (Council District 3)
Body
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that City Council adopt the attached amended Resolution designating the property located at 1844 S Cherry Avenue to the Local Register of Historic Resources pursuant to Fresno Municipal Code SEC.12-1607 and 12-1609.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The property located at 1844 S Cherry Ave., containing the former Rosenberg Brothers and Company fruit packing warehouse, was evaluated, found eligible and recommended for designation as a local Historic Resource under Fresno Municipal Code Sec. 12-1607 Criteria a(1)(i), and a(1)(iii), and approved by City Council as a designated Historic Resource on October 16, 2025. The property owner was opposed to the designation, but the resolution adopted by City Council erroneously reflected the property owner’s support. This proposed revision, which was requested by the property owner, corrects the resolution to reflect the property owner’s opposition.
BACKGROUND
In 1918 Rosenberg Brothers and Company constructed a state-of-the-art 3-story packing and processing facility, and adjacent boiler house and machine shop, at 1844 S. Cherry Avenue in South Fresno. The new complex was the largest raisin packing operation in the world in the 1920s. Both the former warehouse/packing house and adjacent boiler room/machine shop building currently serve as self-storage facilities.
In 2025, the current owner proposed interior and exterior renovations to the warehouse building under building permit application B25-03423. As part of this application, the property was evaluated and found eligible for designation to the local register of Historic Resources under Fresno Municipal Code Sec. 12-1607 Criteria a(1)(i) and a(1)(iii). The Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) held a noticed public hearing on June 23, 2025, and recommended listing the property on the Local Register of Historic Resources. The recommendation for designation was heard, and Resolution No. 2025-281 was approved by City Council on October 16, 2025.
The representative of the property owner, Wells Stanwick, for PSC Fresno, LLC submitted a letter of opposition to the designation. This position was indicated in the City Council staff report; however, Resolution No. 2025-281 was not revised to reflect receipt of the letter. The property owner has since requested that the resolution be revised to accurately state their position.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
This revision is not a project for the purposes of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), as the action will not result in a direct or indirect change in the environment.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
N/A
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact related to this action.
CONCLUSION
Staff recommend that the City Council adopt the attached revised Resolution designating the property located at 1844 S Cherry Avenue to the Local Register of Historic Resources pursuant to Fresno Municipal Code SEC.12-1607 and 12-1609.
Attachment:
Amended Resolution