REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: JENNIFER CLARK, Director
Planning & Development Department
SOPHIA PAGOULATOS, Planning Manager
Planning & Development Department
BY: CASEY LAUDERDALE, Supervising Planner
Planning & Development Department
SUBJECT
Title
Approve the Fifth Amendment to the Consultant Services Agreement with De Novo Planning Group for environmental analysis services for the West Area Neighborhoods Specific Plan Environmental Impact Report, extending the contract performance period to December 31, 2025, for no additional cost.
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends approval of the Fifth Amendment to the Consultant Services Agreement with De Novo Planning Group for environmental analysis services related to the West Area Neighborhoods Specific Plan Environmental Impact Report for no additional cost.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Planning and Development Department recommends approval of a Fifth Amendment to the existing Consultant Services Agreement between the City of Fresno and De Novo Planning Group. This amendment would extend the contract performance period to December 31, 2025, with no additional funding required. The extension is to provide sufficient time for final reviews and procedural requirements needed to complete the West Area Neighborhoods Specific Plan Recirculated Environmental Impact Report (REIR).
BACKGROUND
On March 5, 2019, the City entered into an agreement with De Novo Planning Group for professional environmental consulting services related to the West Area Neighborhoods Specific Plan (Plan) Environmental Impact Report (EIR). The project area is generally located west of Highway 99, north of Clinton Avenue and east of Garfield Avenue. The Plan is intended to guide compatible and consistent land development in this growing area of the City and reflect the community’s needs and priorities.
Prior to the Plan being considered for adoption by the City Council on October 13, 2022, staff was directed to make adjustments to the planned land use map to accommodate a revised housing capacity analysis as required by SB 330, and to modify the farmland mitigation language in the EIR. Staff has solicited feedback from the community on an updated planned land use map, hosting two community workshops and responding to email and phone inquiries. This resulted in the re-initiated planned land use map that then served as a basis for an updated environmental analysis.
The Recirculated Draft EIR was released for a public comment period between March 12 and April 28, 2025, during which staff received eight comment letters. Staff and consultants are working to complete the Final EIR, and estimate bringing the final items to Planning Commission and City Council in August and September 2025. Because this timeframe extends past the expiration of the current contract with De Novo Planning Group, and because additional time is needed following Council action to close out the project, an extension is requested to December 31, 2025.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
Approval of this amendment is not a project for the purposes of CEQA.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference does not apply to this action because this is an amendment to an existing Consultant Services Agreement.
FISCAL IMPACT
No additional funding is being requested.
Attachments:
Fifth Amendment
Original Agreement