City of Fresno  
City Hall Council Chambers  
2600 Fresno Street  
Meeting Minutes - Final  
Wednesday, February 19, 2025  
6:00 PM  
Regular Meeting  
City Hall Council Chambers  
2600 Fresno Street  
Planning Commission  
Chairperson – Peter Vang  
Vice Chair - Kathy Bray  
Commissioner – David Criner  
Commissioner – Monica Diaz  
Commissioner – Jacqueline Lyday  
Commissioner - Linda M Calandra  
Commissioner – Gurdeep Singh Shergill  
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:  
2. Cable Television: Comcast Channel 96 and AT&T Channel 99  
3. Participate Remotely via Zoom:  
https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_I18M0bh8TbSGAo27i5ze1Q  
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.  
I. ROLL CALL  
Chair Vang called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.  
Commissioner Shergill arrived at 6:01 p.m.  
Also present were Ashley Atkinson, Phillip Siegrist, Robert Holt, Kari  
Camino, Andrew Janz (CAO), Heather Thomas (CAO), Dejan Pavic (DPU),  
and Jairo Mata (DPW).  
Present 5 -  
Chairperson Peter Vang, Commissioner Kathy Bray,  
Commissioner Jacqueline G. Lyday, Commissioner Linda  
Calandra, and Commissioner Gurdeep Singh Shergill  
Absent 2 -  
Commissioner David Criner , and Commissioner Monica  
Diaz  
II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE  
6:00 p.m.  
III. PROCEDURES  
6:01 p.m.  
Commissioner Shergill arrived at 6:01 p.m.  
Chair Vang read the procedures aloud.  
IV. AGENDA APPROVAL  
6:02 p.m.  
Siegrist reported no changes to the agenda.  
On motion of Vice Chair Bray, seconded by Commissioner Calandra,  
the AGENDA was APPROVED. The motion carried by the following  
vote:  
Aye: 5 -  
Chairperson Vang, Commissioner Bray, Commissioner  
Lyday, Commissioner Calandra, and Commissioner Shergill  
Absent: 2 - Commissioner Criner , and Commissioner Diaz  
V. CONSENT CALENDAR  
6:03 p.m.  
On motion of Commissioner Lyday, seconded by Chair Vang, the  
CONSENT CALENDAR was APPROVED. The motion carried by the  
following vote:  
Aye: 5 -  
Chairperson Vang, Commissioner Bray, Commissioner  
Lyday, Commissioner Calandra, and Commissioner Shergill  
Absent: 2 - Commissioner Criner , and Commissioner Diaz  
January 15, 2025 Planning Commission Regular Meeting Minutes  
V-A  
VI. REPORTS BY COMMISSIONERS  
6:03 p.m.  
Chair Vang made an announcement that Item VIII-C (ID 25-162) and Item  
VIII-D (ID 25-82) have been continued to March 5, 2025.  
VII. CONTINUED MATTERS  
N/A  
VIII. NEW MATTERS  
Consideration of Vesting Tentative Tract Map No. 6312, Planned  
Development Permit Application No. P24-04002, and related  
VIII-A  
Environmental Assessment for approximately 9.23 acres of property  
located on the west side of North Portofino Drive, north of East Copper  
Avenue (Council District 6) - Planning and Development Department.  
1. ADOPT Environmental Assessment No. T-6312/P24-04002 dated  
February 19, 2025, an Addendum to the Final Subsequent  
Environmental Impact Report State Clearinghouse No. 2000021003  
(SEIR) for the proposed project, pursuant to Section 15164 of the  
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines.  
2. APPROVE Vesting Tentative Tract Map No. 6312 proposing to  
subdivide approximately 9.23 acres of property into  
a
22-lot  
single-family residential development, subject to compliance with  
the Conditions of Approval dated February 19, 2025.  
3. APPROVE Planned Development Permit Application No. P24-  
04002 proposing to modify the RS-3 (Single-Family Residential,  
Low Density) zone district development standards to allow for  
private streets, a reduction in setbacks and lot width, and an  
increase in building height and lot coverage, subject to compliance  
with the Conditions of Approval dated February 19, 2025.  
6:04 p.m.  
Holt made a presentation on the project including the general location, land  
use, zoning, proposed tract map, planned development, open space  
requirements, and Staff recommendations.  
Gary McDonald (Applicant) provided a brief background on the project and  
thanked Staff. Commissioners asked questions about Senior housing, and  
price ranges of the development. In response, McDonald stated no Senior  
housing was planned, and pricing has not been set. He was available for  
any additional questions.  
Public Comment:  
No public comment was provided.  
On motion of Commissioner Calandra, seconded by Commissioner  
Shergill, that the above Action Item be APPROVED. The motion  
carried by the following vote:  
Aye: 5 -  
Chairperson Vang, Commissioner Bray, Commissioner  
Lyday, Commissioner Calandra, and Commissioner Shergill  
Absent: 2 - Commissioner Criner , and Commissioner Diaz  
Consideration of Text Amendment Application No. P23-03410 and related  
Environmental Finding for Environmental Assessment No. P23-03410,  
amending Sections 15-2761 and 15-6802 of the Citywide Development  
Code, relating to Tobacco and Vapor Sales, Smoke Shops, and  
Definitions.  
VIII-B  
1. RECOMMEND ADOPTION (to the City Council), of a finding set  
forth in Environmental Assessment No. P23-03410 dated January  
15, 2025, that Text Amendment Application No. P23-03410 is  
exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)  
pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines.  
2. RECOMMEND APPROVAL (to the City Council) of Text  
Amendment Application No. P23-03410, to amend Sections 15-  
2761 and 15-6802 of the Citywide Development Code, relating to  
Tobacco and Vapor Sales, Smoke Shops, and Definitions.  
6:10 p.m.  
Siegrist made a presentation to amend Sections 15-2761 and 15-6802 of the  
Citywide Development Code, relating to Tobacco and Vapor Sales, Smoke  
Shops, and Definitions. The purpose of the Amendment is to require new  
Smoke Shops to obtain a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) and Business Tax  
License, establish regulations and operational requirements, annual  
inspections, fines, as well as amortize existing Smoke Shops, and only  
allow up to 7 establishments per City Council District. It would also provide  
public notice of available permits, and implement location restrictions near  
sensitive areas.  
Public Comment:  
3 members of the public spoke in favor of the Text Amendment encouraging  
businesses operating illegally to be closed immediately, new restrictions  
should apply to all Tobacco retailers, and creating a Tobacco Retailer  
License with training.  
14 spoke in opposition of the Text Amendment voicing concerns of the  
Amortization of existing Smoke Shops, irregularities in enforcement of rules  
by Code Enforcement, signed lease agreements for existing shops in  
sensitive areas, and unobtainable rules to follow.  
Chair Vang moved to: Recommend increasing the number of Smoke Shops  
permitted within each City Council District from 7 to 10; Recommend  
increasing the time for the Amortization period from 18 months to 24  
months; and Recommend grandfathering in existing Smoke Shops such that  
they would not be subject to the sensitive use location restrictions under the  
Text Amendment.  
Vice Chair moved to: Recommend applying this legislation to all Tobacco  
Retailers, rather than just Smoke Shops; and Recommend creating a  
Tobacco Retailer License.  
Commissioner Lyday moved to: Recommend that the City provide a Code  
Enforcement Workshop where business owners can meet with Code  
Enforcement, and everyone can be on the same page regarding this  
legislation; Recommend removing the lottery system from the Text  
Amendment, and making the application system entirely merit-based, which  
would include: The Smoke Shop Operator's business plan, their community  
impact, their experience, and history of compliance. She also recommends  
including immediate closure of Smoke Shops which are engaged in  
gambling or sales of cannabis.  
Commissioner Shergill moved to: Recommend creation of a City-based tool  
for business owners to gather information they need, and to report their  
concerns.  
Commissioner Calandra requested to remove the CUP requirement for  
existing businesses, however, that request was not adopted.  
Roll Call Vote was taken.  
On motion of Chair Vang, seconded by Vice Chair Bray, that the above  
Action Item be RECOMMENDED FOR APPROVAL AS AMENDED. The  
motion carried by the following vote:  
Aye: 4 -  
Chairperson Vang, Commissioner Bray, Commissioner  
Lyday, and Commissioner Shergill  
No: 1 - Commissioner Calandra  
Absent: 2 - Commissioner Criner , and Commissioner Diaz  
CONTINUED TO MARCH 5, 2025  
VIII-C  
Consideration of Text Amendment Application No. P23-03472 and related  
Environmental determination, amending Section 15-6703 and Article 68 of  
the Citywide Development Code, relating to Hospitals and Sub-Acute Care  
Facilities and Terms and Definitions.  
1.  
RECOMMEND  
ADOPTION  
(to  
No.  
the  
City  
Council),  
that  
for  
Environmental  
Assessment  
P23-03472,  
Text  
Amendment Application No. P23-03472 is exempt from the  
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section  
15061(b)(3) of the State CEQA Guidelines.  
2.  
RECOMMEND APPROVAL (to the City Council), of Text  
Amendment Application No. P23-03472, to amend Section 15-  
6703 and Article 68 of the Citywide Development Code to  
define Sub-Acute Care Facility and to include Sub-Acute Care  
Facilities in the description for Hospitals.  
Item VIII-C (ID 25-162) is being continued as noted during agenda approval.  
CONTINUED TO MARCH 5, 2025  
VIII-D  
Consideration of Text Amendment Application No. P24-00794 and related  
Environmental Finding for Environmental Assessment No. P24-00794,  
repealing Section 15-1106 of the Fresno Municipal Code, amending  
Sections 15-1302, 15-4907, 15-5102, 15-6702, 15-6802 of the Fresno  
Municipal Code, and establishing Section 15-2742.5 of the Fresno  
Municipal Code, to permit ministerial approval of housing projects.  
1.  
RECOMMEND ADOPTION (to the City Council), of Mitigated  
Negative Declaration Sch No. 2024110662 for Text Amendment  
Application No. P24-00794.  
2.  
RECOMMEND ADOPTION (to the City Council), of Text  
Amendment Application No. P24-00794, repeal Section 15-  
1106 of the Fresno Municipal Code, amend Sections 15-1302,  
15-4907, 15-5102, 15-6702, 15-6802 of the Fresno Municipal  
Code, and establish Section 15-2742.5 of the Fresno Municipal  
Code, to permit ministerial approval of housing projects in the  
following instances as noted below:  
a.  
Ministerial  
conversions in the Office zone district; and  
Ministerial approval of multi-unit  
approval  
of  
office  
to  
dwelling  
b.  
residential  
development in the RM-1, RM-2, and RM-3 zone  
districts on parcels within one-half mile of an existing  
bus stop; and  
c.  
d.  
Ministerial approval of multi-unit residential uses in  
the NMX, CMX, RMX, CMS and CR zone districts  
on parcels within the City’s Infill Priority Area; and  
Ministerial approval of new multi-unit residential  
development in the Office zone district.  
Item VIII-D (ID 25-82) is being continued as noted during agenda approval.  
IX. REPORT BY SECRETARY  
7:38 p.m.  
Atkinson informed the Commissioners that the next meeting would be a  
lengthy one, due to the two items that were continued.  
X. SCHEDULED ORAL COMMUNICATIONS  
N/A  
XI. UNSCHEDULED ORAL COMMUNICATIONS  
7:39 p.m.  
None  
XII. ADJOURNMENT  
Chair Vang adjourned the meeting at 7:39 p.m.