City of Fresno  
City Hall Council Chambers  
2600 Fresno Street  
Meeting Minutes - Final  
Wednesday, August 2, 2023  
6:00 PM  
Regular Meeting  
In Person and/or Electronic  
City Hall Council Chambers  
Planning Commission  
Chairperson – Peter Vang  
Vice Chair – Brad Hardie  
Commissioner – David Criner  
Commissioner – Haley M Wagner  
Commissioner – Kathy Bray  
Commissioner – Monica Diaz  
Commissioner – Jacqueline Lyday  
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  
PublicCommentsPlanning@fresno.gov. 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.  
a. Attendees may also email comments to be read during the meeting.  
Please 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.  
b. Emails will be a maximum of 450 words.  
c. 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.  
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  
Vice Chair Hardie called meeting to order at 6:00pm  
Staff also present:  
Clark, Trejo, Siegrist, Quijano, Monroe, Costa, Tran, George, Holt, Dhaliwal,  
Benelli, & Pavic  
Present 6 -  
Vice Chair Brad Hardie, Commissioner David Criner ,  
Commissioner Haley M. Wagner, Commissioner Kathy Bray,  
Commissioner Monica Diaz, and Commissioner Jacqueline  
G. Lyday  
Absent 1 - Chairperson Peter Vang  
II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE  
6:01pm  
III. PROCEDURES - PROCEDIMIENTOS - KEV SAB LAJ  
6:01pm  
Hardie read the procedures aloud  
IV. AGENDA APPROVAL  
6:04pm  
Rob Holt (Planning Supervisor) noted for the record two revisions to Exhibit  
H (Conditions of Approval for Vesting Tentative Tract Map 6366) on item ID  
23-1140.  
1. He changed Condition Number 20 to state the following:  
Provide and dedicate minimum 10-foot Outlots for private landscape  
purposes (and irrigation system) along the rear (eastern) property lines of all  
lots with frontage along North Bliss Avenue (lots 1 through 13). The 10-foot  
wide Outlots shall be located adjacent to the “sidewalk pattern” within the  
adjacent public street rights-of-way and shall incorporate street trees to  
shade the adjacent sidewalks in accordance with Public Works standards,  
specifications, and policies.  
2. He also changed Condition Number 21 to state the following:  
The proposed 10-foot wide landscape easements along North Bliss Avenue  
shall be identified as Outlots to be dedicated for private landscape (and  
irrigation system) and utility purposes on the Final Map.  
Holt also amended Exhibit J (Department of Public Works conditions of  
approval dated June 19, 2023 & June 30, 2023) of the same item, replacing  
updated memorandums to allow for the design and construction of a Major  
Street Bridge at the intersection of Fowler Avenue and Mill Ditch with the  
issuance of building permits contingent on the progress of bridge work,  
rather than prior to any issuance of building permits.  
On motion of Commissioner Criner , seconded by Commissioner Diaz,  
the above AGENDA was APPROVED AS AMENDED. The motion  
carried by the following vote:  
Aye: 6 -  
Vice Chair Hardie, Commissioner Criner , Commissioner  
Wagner, Commissioner Bray, Commissioner Diaz, and  
Commissioner Lyday  
Absent: 1 - Chairperson Vang  
V. CONSENT CALENDAR  
6:08pm  
Hardie read each item on Consent Calendar and then opened for Public  
Comment.  
Drew Phelps (representative from Granville Homes) requested to pull item  
ID 23-1140 from Consent Calendar, voicing concern for one of the updated  
conditions.  
Diaz motioned to pull item V-B (ID23-1140) and approve balance of Consent  
Calendar.  
On motion of Commissioner Diaz, seconded by Commissioner Criner,  
the CONSENT CALENDAR was APPROVED AS AMENDED. The motion  
carried by the following vote:  
Aye: 6 -  
Vice Chair Hardie, Commissioner Criner , Commissioner  
Wagner, Commissioner Bray, Commissioner Diaz, and  
Commissioner Lyday  
Absent: 1 - Chairperson Vang  
July 5, 2023 Planning Commission Regular Meeting Minutes  
V-A  
Consideration of Vesting Tentative Tract Map No. 6366, Planned  
Development Permit Application No. P22-04877, and related  
V-B  
Environmental Assessment No. T-6366/P22-04877 for approximately 7.94  
acres of property located on the west side of North Bliss Avenue between  
East Shields and East Princeton Avenues (Council District 7).  
1. ADOPT Environmental Assessment No. T-6366/P22-04877 dated  
July 21, 2023, an Addendum to Environmental Assessment No. P22  
-01202, in accordance with Section 15164 of the California  
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines.  
2. APPROVE Vesting Tentative Tract Map No. 6366, proposing to  
subdivide approximately 7.94 acres of the subject property into a 71  
-lot single-family residential development subject to compliance with  
the Conditions of Approval dated August 2, 2023.  
3. APPROVE Planned Development Permit Application No. P22-  
04877 proposing to modify the RS-5 (Single-Family Residential,  
Medium Density) zone district development standards to allow for a  
reduction in the garage setback, rear yard setback, garage to  
façade setback, minimum lot size, minimum lot depth, an increase  
in maximum lot coverage, and gated private streets, subject to  
compliance with the Conditions of Approval dated August 2, 2023.  
6:11pm  
Holt made a brief presentation covering the general location of the tract map  
and elaborated on his previously mentioned conditions in an attempt to  
clarify for potential motions. He then introduced Harmanjit Dhaliwal (Public  
Works) who explained the history of Community Facility District (CFD) and  
annexation consideration.  
Wagner asked how changes would offset timeline, and Holt explained the  
permit considerations during construction.  
Phelps (representing the Applicant) addressed their opposition to the  
revised condition regarding CFD conditions, particularly in their situation.  
Darius Assemi (Granville), reported the CFD condition would be double the  
tax and requested removal of this condition or they would appeal the  
Commission's approval with City Council.  
Public Comment- No one spoke in favor or opposition for this item.  
Planning Manager Trejo explained the recommendation from Staff on the  
item and the findings needed from the Commission if they chose to make an  
amended motion with different conditions.  
Wagner asked if there was a more efficient option, but Clark elaborated on  
the limitations of removing a condition in this project.  
On motion of Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner  
Diaz, that the above Action Item be Approved with Staff's  
recommended edits read into record . The motion carried by the  
following vote:  
Aye: 6 -  
Vice Chair Hardie, Commissioner Criner , Commissioner  
Wagner, Commissioner Bray, Commissioner Diaz, and  
Commissioner Lyday  
Absent: 1 - Chairperson Vang  
Consideration of Vesting Tentative Tract Map No. 6341 and related  
V-C  
Environmental Assessment No. T-6341 for approximately 2.68 acres of  
property located on the south side of West McKinley Avenue between  
North State Street and North Dante Avenue (Council District 3).  
1. APPROVE  
Environmental  
Assessment  
No.  
T-6341/P21-03618  
dated July 21, 2023, a determination that the proposed project is  
Categorically Exempt from the provisions of the California  
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15332/Class  
32 (Infill Development) of CEQA Guidelines.  
2. APPROVE Vesting Tentative Tract Map No. 6341 dated May 9,  
2023, proposing to subdivide ±2.72 acres of the subject property into  
a 19-lot single-family residential subdivision, subject to compliance  
with the Conditions of Approval dated August 2, 2023.  
VI. REPORTS BY COMMISSIONERS  
N/A  
VII. CONTINUED MATTERS  
N/A  
VIII. NEW MATTERS  
Hearing to consider Text Amendment Application No. P23-02443 and  
VIII-A  
related Environmental Finding pertaining to acceptance of subdivision  
Improvements:  
1. RECOMMEND APPROVAL (to the City Council) of the  
Finding of No Possibility of Significant Adverse Effect as  
prepared for Environmental Assessment No. P23-02443  
dated July 26, 2023.  
2. RECOMMEND APPROVAL (to the City Council) of Text  
Amendment  
Application  
No.  
P23-02443 Adding  
Subsection U to Section 3804 of Chapter 15 of the Fresno  
Municipal Code relating to the deferral of certain sidewalk  
construction, driveway approaches and street trees in  
subdivisions until prior to occupancy of single-family  
homes.  
6:33pm  
Assistant Director Benelli (Public Works) explained the timeline of the  
release of the bond and public improvements, highlighting the effect of  
adding sidewalks. He talked about conditions of occupancy, such as  
driveways, and how the allowance would not being guaranteed. He noted  
that if it took too long to fill subdivisions, developers may be left without a  
sidewalk for a while.  
Bray asked for clarification about the Director's Discretion, to which Staff  
elaborated.  
Public comment-  
One person spoke in favor, citing how the Text Amendment would help to  
release bonds and reduce liability. They also talked about how this would  
influence the city's safe walk to school and park spaces.  
No one spoke in opposition.  
On motion of Commissioner Bray, seconded by Commissioner Criner  
, that the above Action Item be RECOMMENDED FOR APPROVAL. The  
motion carried by the following vote:  
Aye: 6 -  
Vice Chair Hardie, Commissioner Criner , Commissioner  
Wagner, Commissioner Bray, Commissioner Diaz, and  
Commissioner Lyday  
Absent: 1 - Chairperson Vang  
IX. REPORT BY SECRETARY  
N/A  
X. SCHEDULED ORAL COMMUNICATIONS  
N/A  
XI. UNSCHEDULED ORAL COMMUNICATIONS  
N/A  
XII. ADJOURNMENT  
Vice Chair Hardie adjourned the meeting at 6:45pm