City of Fresno  
City Hall Council Chambers  
2600 Fresno Street  
Meeting Minutes - Final  
Wednesday, July 3, 2024  
6:00 PM  
Regular Meeting  
In Person and/or Electronic  
City Hall Council Chambers  
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 in one of the two  
following ways:  
1. Participate In Person: Council Chambers, City Hall, 2nd Floor, 2600 Fresno  
Street, Fresno, CA 93721  
a. To speak during a Commission meeting in person: You may approach  
the speaker podium upon the Chair’s call for public comment.  
2. 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.  
b. To speak during a Commission meeting while attending remotely in the  
Zoom application, click on the icon labeled “Participants” at the bottom  
of  
the screen. Then select “Raise Hand” at the bottom of the Participants  
window. Your digital hand will now be raised. You will be asked to  
“unmute” when your name is called to speak. You will not be visible via  
video and there will be no opportunity to share your screen.  
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  
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 meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.  
Also present were Jennifer Clark, Ashley Atkinson, Israel Trejo, Phillip  
Siegrist, Chris Lang, John George, Janice Monroe, Kari Camino, Heather  
Thomas (CAO), Harmanjit Dhaliwal (DPW), and Dejan Pavic (DPU).  
Present 6 - Chairperson Peter Vang, Commissioner David Criner ,  
Commissioner Kathy Bray, Commissioner Jacqueline G.  
Lyday, Commissioner Linda Calandra, and Commissioner  
Gurdeep Singh Shergill  
Absent 1 - Commissioner Monica Diaz  
II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE  
6:00 p.m.  
III. PROCEDURES - PROCEDIMIENTOS - KEV SAB LAJ  
6:01 p.m.  
Chair Vang read the procedures aloud.  
IV. AGENDA APPROVAL  
6:02 p.m.  
Trejo asked to continue item ID 24-908 (VII-A) until the August 7, 2024  
Planning Commission Meeting at the request of the property owners. He  
also asked to continue item ID 24-907 (VII-B) until the July 17, 2024  
Planning Commission Meeting at the request of the Applicant. Trejo  
confirmed no other changes to the agenda.  
On motion of Commissioner Bray, seconded by Commissioner Criner,  
the AGENDA was APPROVED AS AMENDED. The motion carried by  
the following vote:  
Aye: 6 - Chairperson Vang, Commissioner Criner , Commissioner  
Bray, Commissioner Lyday, Commissioner Calandra, and  
Commissioner Shergill  
Absent: 1 - Commissioner Diaz  
V. CONSENT CALENDAR  
6:04 p.m.  
On motion of Commissioner Calandra, seconded by Commissioner  
Criner, the CONSENT CALENDAR was APPROVED. The motion carried  
by the following vote:  
Aye: 6 - Chairperson Vang, Commissioner Criner , Commissioner  
Bray, Commissioner Lyday, Commissioner Calandra, and  
Commissioner Shergill  
Absent: 1 - Commissioner Diaz  
June 5, 2024 Planning Commission Regular Meeting Minutes  
V-A  
VI. REPORTS BY COMMISSIONERS  
N/A  
VII. CONTINUED MATTERS  
CONTINUED FROM JUNE 5, 2024  
VII-A  
City Council initiated General Plan Amendment and Rezone Application  
No. P24-00589, and related Environmental Assessment pertaining for  
two (2) adjoining parcels of approximately ±2.26 acres (total) located at  
the northwest corner of East McKinley and North Fine Avenues. (Council  
District 4) - Planning and Development Department.  
1. RECOMMEND CONSIDERATION (to the City Council) of the  
Environmental  
Assessment  
for  
P24-00589  
of  
a
Negative  
Declaration, dated May 31, 2024, prepared for the proposed plan  
amendment/rezone pursuant to California Environmental Quality  
Act (CEQA) Guidelines; and  
2. RECOMMEND CONSIDERATION (to the City Council) of General  
Plan Amendment No. P24-00589 to amend the planned land use  
designation  
of  
the  
subject  
(±2.26  
acres)  
properties  
from  
Employment - Light Industrial to Commercial - Community; and  
3. RECOMMEND CONSIDERATION (to the City Council) of Rezone  
No. P24-00589 to rezone the subject (±2.26 acres) properties from  
the IL (Light Industrial) zone district to the CC (Community  
Commercial) zone district consistent with the amended land use  
designation.  
6:04 p.m.  
Chair Vang stated item VII-A (ID 24-908) is being continued as noted.  
CONTINUED FROM JUNE 19, 2024  
VII-B  
Consideration of an appeal regarding Tentative Parcel Map No. 2023-13  
and  
related  
Environmental  
Assessment  
No.  
TPM  
2023-13 for  
approximately 2.91 acres of property located on the northeast corner of  
North West and West Olive Avenues (Council District 3) - Planning and  
Development Department.  
1. APPROVE Environmental Assessment No. TPM-2023-13 dated  
February 6, 2024, a determination that the proposed project is  
exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)  
Guidelines  
Exemption.  
through  
a
Section  
15315/Class  
15  
Categorical  
2. DENY the appeal and UPHOLD the action of the Planning and  
Development Department Director in the approval of Tentative  
Parcel  
Map  
No.  
2023-13  
authorizing  
the  
subdivision  
of  
approximately 2.67 acres of property into a two-lot subdivision,  
subject to the following:  
a.  
Development shall take place in accordance with the  
Conditions of Approval for Tentative Parcel Map No. 2023-13  
dated July 3, 2024.  
6:04 p.m.  
Chair Vang stated item VII-B (ID 24-907) is being continued as noted.  
VIII. NEW MATTERS  
Consideration of an appeal filed regarding Development Permit  
Application No. P23-01190 and related Environmental Assessment for  
property located at 1911 East Copper River Drive on the southwest  
corner of East Copper River Drive and North Maple Avenue (Council  
District 6).  
VIII-A  
1.  
ADOPT Environmental Assessment No. P23-01190 dated  
February 14, 2024, an Addendum to the Final Subsequent  
Environmental Impact Report State Clearinghouse No. 2000021003  
(SEIR) for the proposed project pursuant to the California  
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).  
2.  
DENY the appeal and UPHOLD the action of the Planning  
and  
Development  
Department  
Director  
in  
the  
approval  
of  
Development Permit Application No. P23-01190 authorizing the  
construction of a 114-unit gated multi-family residential development,  
subject to the following:  
a.  
Development shall take place in accordance with the  
Conditions of Approval for Development Permit  
Application No. P23-01190 dated April 22, 2024.  
6:05 p.m.  
George made a presentation including the general location, history of  
Copper River Ranch, land use designations, the development standards of  
the RM-2 Zone District, setback requirements, the Housing Accountability  
Act, and Staff recommendations.  
Chair Vang asked questions about community outreach and maximum  
height of proposed buildings (stories).  
The Applicant (Darius Assemi) made a presentation on the multi-family  
residential development that Granville Homes has planned. He showed the  
site plan, neighboring buildings, elevations, crime rate comparison to the  
surrounding neighborhoods, Subsequent Environmental Impact Report  
Findings, and public outreach. He was available for questions.  
Commissioners asked questions about the neighbors feeling mislead about  
the project, concerns of traffic and the roundabout, strain on schools,  
walk-ability and diversity. They also appreciated the community  
engagement, particularly when addressing concerns of traffic, parking and  
quality of the homes built.  
Public Comment:  
2 spoke in favor of the project. No one spoke in opposition of the project.  
On motion of Commissioner Lyday, seconded by Commissioner Bray,  
that the above Action Item be APPROVED. The motion carried by the  
following vote:  
Aye: 6 - Chairperson Vang, Commissioner Criner , Commissioner  
Bray, Commissioner Lyday, Commissioner Calandra, and  
Commissioner Shergill  
Absent: 1 - Commissioner Diaz  
Consideration of Plan Amendment and Rezone Application No.  
P22-00388, Vesting Tentative Tract Map No. 6360, Planned  
VIII-B  
Development Application No. P22-00387, and Final Environmental  
Impact Report (EIR) State Clearinghouse (SCH) No. 2022080152 for a  
proposed 326-lot single-family residential development on the northeast  
corner of North Armstrong Avenue and the East McKinley Avenue  
Alignment (Council District 7).  
1. RECOMMEND CERTIFICATION (to the City Council) of Final EIR  
SCH No. 2022080152 for  
residential development; and,  
a
proposed 326-lot single-family  
a.  
RECOMMEND ADOPTION (to the City Council) of Findings of  
Fact as required by Public Resources Code Section 21082(a)  
and CEQA Guidelines, Section 15091; and,  
b.  
RECOMMEND ADOPTION (to the City Council) of the  
Statement of Overriding Considerations as required by Public  
Resources Code, Section 21081(b) and CEQA Guidelines,  
Section 15093; and  
c.  
RECOMMEND APPROVAL (to the City Council) of  
a
Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program as required by  
Public Resources Code Section 21081.6 and CEQA Guidelines  
Section 15092; and  
2. RECOMMEND  
APPROVAL  
(to  
the  
City  
Council)  
of  
Plan  
Amendment Application No. P22-00388 proposing to amend the  
Fresno General Plan and McLane Community Plan from the Low  
Density Residential (±28.6 acres) planned land use designation to  
the Medium Density Residential (±28.6 acres) planned land use  
designation.  
3. RECOMMEND APPROVAL (to the City Council) of Rezone  
Application No. P22-00388 proposing to amend the Official Zone  
Map to reclassify the ±28.6-acre property from the RS-3 (Single  
Family Residential, Low Density) zone district to the RS-5 (Single  
Family Residential, Medium Density) zone district.  
4. RECOMMEND APPROVAL (to the City Council) of Vesting  
Tentative Tract Map No. 6360 which requests authorization to  
subdivide an approximately 28.6-acre property for purposes of  
creating  
a
326-lot single family residential subdivision on the  
northeast corner of North Armstrong Avenue and the East  
McKinley Avenue Alignment subject to the findings and compliance  
with the Conditions of Approval included within the Staff Report to  
the Planning Commission dated July 3, 2024.  
5. RECOMMEND APPROVAL (to the City Council) of Planned  
Development Permit Application No. P22-00387 which requests  
authorization to establish a gated community with private streets  
and  
modified  
property  
development  
standards  
subject  
to  
compliance with the Conditions of Approval dated July 3, 2024.  
6:48 p.m.  
Lang made a presentation on the project including location, land use  
reclassification, zoning, public improvements, conditions of approval, a  
summary of environmental impacts, public notice, proposed development,  
and Staff recommendations.  
The Applicant (Dirk Poeschel) addressed traffic concerns and public  
outreach. He appreciated Staff's work on the project and said he was  
available for questions.  
Public Comment:  
No public comment was given.  
On motion of Commissioner Bray, seconded by Commissioner  
Calandra, that the above Action Item be APPROVED. The motion  
carried by the following vote:  
Aye: 6 - Chairperson Vang, Commissioner Criner , Commissioner  
Bray, Commissioner Lyday, Commissioner Calandra, and  
Commissioner Shergill  
Absent: 1 - Commissioner Diaz  
IX. REPORT BY SECRETARY  
7:02 p.m.  
Director Clark introduced Commissioner Shergill to the Commission and  
provided a brief background. She also introduced Assistant Director Ashley  
Atkinson and provided a brief history/background. Clark reminded the  
Commissioners of heavy agendas to come and to have a safe 4th of July.  
Atkinson said she was happy to be here and looks forward to working with  
everyone.  
X. SCHEDULED ORAL COMMUNICATIONS  
N/A  
XI. UNSCHEDULED ORAL COMMUNICATIONS  
7:05 p.m.  
2 members of the public spoke about the projects in District 3. They voiced  
concerns about information not being available online, lack of community  
notification, and insufficient community meetings, especially in South West  
Fresno.  
XII. ADJOURNMENT  
Chair Vang adjourned the meeting at 7:09 p.m.