CITY COUNCIL HEARING: Conditional Use Permit Application No.
P23-00835, Planned Development Permit Application No. P23-02080, and related Environmental Assessment
Exhibit N-1
Southwest Fresno Specific Plan
SOUTHWEST FRESNO
SPECIFIC PLAN
FINAL PLAN • ADOPTED ON OCTOBER 26, 2017
CITY OF FRESNO
SOUTHWEST FRESNO
SPECIFIC PLAN
FINAL PLAN • ADOPTED ON OCTOBER 26, 2017
Alternate formats of this document will be provided by the City upon request.
To request alternate formats contact
Shannon M. Mulhall, Certified Americans with Disabilities Act Coordinator at (559) 621-8716.
SOUTHWEST FRESNO SPECIFIC PLAN
CITY OF FRESNO
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
CITY COUNCIL
Oliver L. Baines III
Steve Brandau
Garry Bredefeld
Paul Caprioglio
Luis Chavez
Clint Olivier
Esmeralda Soria
PLANNING COMMISSION
Chairperson Serop Torossian
Vice Chair Rojelio Vasquez
Kathy Bray
Lawrence Garcia
Debra McKenzie
Raj K. Sodhi-Layne
Peter Vang
Tate Hill
Michaelynn Lewis
Maria Lizaldo
Donna Middleton
Eric Payne
Joey Campbell
Jeffrey Roberts
Leoncio Vasquez Santos
Ashley Werner
Sharon Williams
Peng Yang
STEERING COMMITTEE
Thomas W. Beggs
Alex Belanger
Jane Carretero
Shaneece Childress
Esther Cuevas
Mary Curry
Debbie Darden
Juan Esquivel
Marta Frausto
Sylvesta M. Hall
Marina Harutyunyan
CITY MANAGEMENT
Jennifer Clark, Development and Resource
Management Director
Gregory Barfield, Chief of Staff of Oliver L.
Baines III - District 3
Raymond Eddy, Chief of Staff of Oliver L.
Baines III - District 3
PROJECT STAFF
Sophia Pagoulatos, Project Manager
Talia Kolluri, Supervising Deputy City Attorney
Drew Wilson, Planner
Michelle Zumwalt, Architect
Amber Piona, Planner
Michael Andrade, GIS Specialist
Lachea Deamicis, GIS Specialist
CONSULTANT TEAM
Bruce Brubaker, PlaceWorks
Janet Chang, PlaceWorks
Rosemary Dudley, PlaceWorks
Steve Gunnells, PlaceWorks
Mark Hoffman, PlaceWorks
Peter Quintanilla, PlaceWorks
Steve Rasmussen Cancian, Shared Spaces
Lucio Avila, Centro La Familia
Margarita Rocha, Centro La Familia
Robert Mitchell, Resident
Fred Choa, Fehr & Peers
Jimmy Fong, Fehr & Peers
Robert Hananouchi, Fehr & Peers
Henry Delcore, Pop-Up Design & Development
Marci Lopez, Pop-Up Design & Development
Kiel Schmidt, Pop-Up Design & Development
William Cardinal, Blair, Church & Flynn
Jon Palsgaard, Blair, Church & Flynn
Cordie Qualle, Blair, Church & Flynn
Southwest Fresno Specific Plan | Table of Contents
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. PLAN INTRODUCTION 1-1
A. Plan Area and Boundaries 1-2
B. Why Plan Southwest Fresno? 1-6
C. Community Environmental Health 1-9
D. Southwest Fresno Specific Plan Community Engagement 1-17 E. Plan Structure and Content 1-19
2. VISION 2-1
A. Introduction 2-1
B. Guiding Principles 2-2
C. Specific Plan Land Use Vision 2-5
3. LAND USE 3-1
A. Introduction 3-1
B. Southwest Fresno Specific Plan Land Uses 3-2
C. Development Capacity Analysis 3-10
D. Goals and Policies 3-12
4. DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS 4-1
A. Introduction 4-1
B. Use Regulations 4-2
C. Kearney Boulevard Historic Corridor Overlay 4-5
D. California Avenue Mixed-Use Corridor Overlay 4-8
E. Objectives for Special Corridors, Magnet Cores, and Complete Neighborhoods 4-9 F. Crime Prevention through Environmental Design 4-12
5. TRANSPORTATION 5-1
A. Introduction 5-1
B. Transportation Improvements 5-2
C. Complete Streets Design Guidelines 5-15
D. Goals and Policies 5-25
6. PUBLIC FACILITIES 6-1
A. Introduction 6-1
B. Parks and Open Space 6-1
C. Education 6-8
D. Other Public Facilities 6-10
E. Goals and Policies 6-11
7. UTILITIES 7-1
A. Introduction 7-1
B. Wet Utilities Needs Analysis and Improvements 7-3
C. Dry Utilities Needs Analysis and Improvements 7-12
D. Communications 7-12
E. Goals and Policies 7-13
8. IMPLEMENTATION 8-1
A. Introduction 8-1
B. General Implementation Strategy 8-2
C. Funding and Financing Tools 8-3
D. Economic Development Strategies 8-10
E. Implementation Action Plan 8-17
GLOSSARY
Southwest Fresno Specific Plan | Table of Contents
LIST OF FIGURES
FIGURE 1-1 Regional Location Map 1-3
FIGURE 1-2 Plan Area Map 1-4
FIGURE 1-3 Context Map 1-5
FIGURE 1-4 Healthy Community Framework 1-11
FIGURE 2-1 Conceptual Vision for Southwest Fresno 2-6
FIGURE 2-2 Conceptual Diagram of Development within a Complete Neighborhood 2-7 FIGURE 2-3 Conceptual Diagram of Development along a Corridor 2-8 FIGURE 2-4 Conceptual Diagram of Development around a Magnet Core 2-11 FIGURE 3-1 Land Use Map with Conceptual Overlays, including SOI 3-3 FIGURE 3-2 Land Use Map for Plan Area 3-4
FIGURE 3-3 Dual Land Use Designation Map for Plan Area 3-5 FIGURE 3-4 Opportunity Sites in the Plan Area and Existing Development 3-11 FIGURE 4-1 Land Uses with Overlays, Special Corridors,
Magnet Cores, & Neighborhood Nodes 4-7
FIGURE 5-1 Existing and Planned Sidewalk Network 5-3
FIGURE 5-2 Existing and Planned Bicycle and Trail Network 5-5 FIGURE 5-3 North Avenue Long-term Alternative Cross Section: Class II Buffered Bike Lanes 5-6 FIGURE 5-4 Existing and Potential Transit Routes 5-7
FIGURE 5-5 Existing and Planned Number of Roadway Lanes 5-9 FIGURE 5-6 Existing, Planned, and Recommended Truck Routes 5-13 FIGURE 5-7 Building Frontage, Throughway, and Curb Areas on a Sidewalk 5-16 FIGURE 5-8 High-visibility Crosswalk Types 5-17
FIGURE 5-9 Bike Lockers 5-24
FIGURE 5-10 Bike Corral 5-24
FIGURE 5-11 Bike Rack Spacing 5-24
FIGURE 6-1 Residential Areas Served by Existing and New Parks 6-5 FIGURE 6-2 Schools and School Districts 6-9
FIGURE 7-1 Proposed Water Improvements 7-4
FIGURE 7-2 Proposed Wastewater Improvements 7-7
FIGURE 7-3 Proposed Recycled Water Improvements 7-9
FIGURE 7-4 Proposed Stormwater Improvements 7-10
FIGURE 8-1 Implementation Priorities Overlaid on Land Use Map for Plan Area 8-19
LIST OF TABLES
TABLE 1-1 Health Profile of Southwest Fresno: Current Health Conditions of Adults 1-10 TABLE 1-2 Health Profile of Southwest Fresno: Current Health Conditions of Children 1-10 TABLE 1-3 Health Profile of Southwest Fresno: Risk Factors 1-10 TABLE 3-1 Development Capacities for the Plan Area 3-10 TABLE 4-1 Office Restricted (O-No Auto) Use Regulations in the Specific Plan vs. Base Zoning 4-4
TABLE 5-1 Summary of Changes in Number of Lanes from Fresno GP MEIR 5-11 TABLE 6-1 Existing Parkland Inventory Counted Toward the General Plan’s 3 Acres per 1,000 Residents Standard 6-3 TABLE 6-2 Essential and Recommended Park Amenities 6-7
TABLE 7-1 Total Acreage by Land Use Classification for General Plan (GP) and Specific Plan (SP) 7-2
TABLE 7-2 Comparison of General Plan (GP) and Specific Plan (SP) Anticipated Water Usage per Land Use Classification 7-5 TABLE 7-3 Comparison of General Plan (GP) and Specific Plan (SP) Anticipated Wastewater Usage per Land Use Classification 7-8 TABLE 7-4 Comparison of Existing and Required Drainage System Capacity by Drainage Area for General Plan (GP) and Specific Plan (SP) 7-11 TABLE 8-1 Estimated Wet Infrastructure Costs 8-3
TABLE 8-2 Implementation Action Plan Matrix: Priority Measures 8-20 TABLE 8-3 Implementation Action Plan Matrix: Community Resources 8-21 TABLE 8-4 Implementation Action Plan Matrix: Economic Development 8-21 TABLE 8-5 Implementation Action Plan Matrix: Land Use 8-23 TABLE 8-6 Implementation Action Plan Matrix: Infrastructure 8-25 TABLE 8-7 Implementation Action Plan Matrix: Mobility 8-26 TABLE 8-8 Implementation Action Plan Matrix: Parks and Urban Greening 8-30 Chapter 1 | Plan Introduction 1-1
PLAN
INTRODUCTION
The Southwest Fresno Specific Plan (the Plan)
marks a historic milestone for the Southwest
Fresno community. Southwest Fresno has a rich
history and culture and many residents have deep
ties to their community and are proud to call
Southwest Fresno their home. With ample land
available for development and a prime location
next to Fresno’s downtown, Southwest Fresno has
great potential.
For many years, however, Southwest Fresno has
been overlooked as a neighborhood suitable for
high quality development. The residents have long
advocated for equitable consideration in citywide
development and the implementation of improvements that will preserve the community’s assets as well as enhance the community’s image and
quality. The community’s determination and passion have fueled incremental changes and previous planning efforts, which have ultimately led to this
critical specific planning process. The Plan acts as a
key step for putting into motion positive change for
the community, guiding future public and private
development to transform Southwest Fresno into a
vibrant, attractive, and valuable area.
The purpose of a Specific Plan is to develop
policies, programs, regulations, and guidelines
to implement the jurisdiction’s adopted General
Plan. A Specific Plan effectively establishes a link
between implementing policies of the General
Plan and the individual development proposals
in a defined area. The Plan implements the goals
and policies set forth in the City of Fresno General
Plan (General Plan) by building upon its concepts
for the Southwest Development Area. The Plan
also includes ideas and measures that have been
extensively tailored and reviewed by the Southwest
Fresno community and stakeholders. The Plan
provides guiding principles, policies, development criteria, and implementation strategies 1 to coordinate private development and public
improvements given the unique opportunities and
characteristics of this important part of the city of
Fresno.
1-2 Southwest Fresno Specific Plan | Adopted on October 26, 2017 A. PLAN AREA AND
BOUNDARIES
The area addressed by the Plan lies within the
southwestern most part of the city of Fresno,
within Fresno County (see Figure 1-1). The Specific
Plan Area (Plan Area) is bounded by Highway 180
in the north and by Highway 41 in the east. It
does not include the Downtown Neighborhoods
Community Plan Area, nor does it include the
land currently in Fresno County that is considered
within the Sphere of Influence (SOI) of the General
Plan (see Figure 1-2). The county land in the SOI
is anticipated to become part of the city of Fresno
in the future. The following maps and graphics
show and consider the SOI as a matter of good
planning, but the scope of the project, including
the Environmental Impact Report (EIR), will focus
on the Plan Area only. However, as shown in Figure
1-2, there is one area in the SOI that is part of the
Plan Area: the Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard
(MLK) Activity Center. The MLK Activity Center was
identified in the Fresno General Plan as a higher
density neighborhood district that would serve
the Southwest Development Area, established
neighborhoods in Southwest Fresno, and areas
beyond Southwest Fresno and the city. Although
the MLK Activity Center is currently located on SOI
land, it was included into the Plan Area because of
its proximity to the Plan Area and its role in providing retail and services to the Southwest Fresno community.
Other plan areas are located within the larger Plan
Area (see Figure 1-3), including:
■ The Highway 41 + North Corridor Complete
Streets Plan, in which the plan area is
bounded by Elm Avenue, Martin Luther King Jr.
Boulevard/ Fig Avenue, Annadale Avenue, Roy
Avenue, and Clara Avenue.
■ A future planning process for the Elm Avenue
Areawide Brownfields Plan falls primarily within
the Plan Area.
Fresno Chandler Executive Airport located just outside
of the Plan Area along Whites Bridge Avenue.
Downtown Fresno seen from the Plan Area.
Undeveloped land make up a large amount of the
Plan Area and SOI.
Chapter 1 | Plan Introduction 1-3
FRESNO
CLOVIS
SANGER
PARLIER
REEDLEY
ORANGE
COVE
FOWLER
SELMA
SIERRA
NATIONAL
FOREST
PINE FLAT LAKE
MILLERTON LAKE
MADERA
COUNTY
TULARE
COUNTY
41 41
168
41 99
41 99
180
99 43
168
180
180
180
145
KERMAN
FRESNO-CLOVIS
REGIONAL
WASTEWATER
RECLAMATION
FACILITY
0 1.5mi 1.5mi
FIGURE 1-1 Regional Location Map
Southwest Fresno Specific Plan Area
City Limit
Fresno County
Source: City of Fresno
FIGURE 1-1 Regional Location Map
FRESNO
CLOVIS
SANGER
PARLIER
REEDLEY
FOWLER
SELMA
MILLERTON LAKE
MADERA
COUNTY
TU
CO
41 41
168
41 99
41 99
180
99 43
168
180
145
KERMAN
FRESNO-CLOVIS
REGIONAL
WASTEWATER
RECLAMATION
FACILITY
0 1.5mi 1.5mi
FIGURE 1-1 Regional Location Map
Southwest Fresno Specific Plan Area
City Limit
Fresno County
1-4 Southwest Fresno Specific Plan | Adopted on October 26, 2017
WEST AVE
TULARE S
G
T
ST
PLUMAS ST
PICKFORD AVE
CALIFORNIA AVE
CRYSTAL AVE
C A L IFORN I A CT
DIVISADERO ST
TEILMAN AVE
MARKS AVE
MERCED ST
VAGEDES AV E
R ST
LOS ANGELES ST
NICHOLAS AVE
C ST
ATCHISON ST
MONTER EY ST
BRALY AVE
TUOLUMNE ST
A ST
SAN BENITO ST
STANISLAUS ST
OLEANDER AVE
WOODWARD AVE
M ST
CALAVERAS ST
BROADWAY PLZ
VENTURA ST
RAILROAD AVE
ARTHUR AVE
MARIPOSA ST
SANTA FE AVE
PARKWAY DR
ROOSEVELT AVE
ANNA ST
KEARNEY BLVD
NIELSEN AVE
BLACKSTONE AVE
BELGRAVIA AVE
ILLINOIS AVE
GRANT AVE
HOLLY AVE
CLARA AVE
WOODWARD AVE
LEAD AVE
LILY AVE
H ST
BLOSSER AVE
AMADOR ST
E ST
WATERMAN AVE
MAYOR AVE
U ST
KLETTE AVE
MARIPOSA ST
JONES AVE
IRWIN AVE
KERN ST
INYO ST
MONO ST
SANTA CLARA ST
HA B ITAT A VE
STROTHER AVE
GEORGE AVE
IVY AVE
O ST
ILA AVE
FAIRVIEW AVE
CALWA AVE
B ST
LORENA AVE
BURNS AVE
KNIGHT AVE
CHURCH RD
DUNN AVE
ARTHUR AVE
BELG RAV IAAVE
DELNOAVE
FRUIT AVE
EL DORADO ST
CHERRY AVE
PACIFIC AVE
FULTON MALL
DAN RONQU IL LO D R
TUPMAN ST
CAPITOL ST
T ST
E
LEMON AVE
ONE IL AVE
GENEVA AVE
SAN JOAQUIN ST
CHINA ALY
F ST
EUNICE AVE
HOME RUN ALY
L ST
COLLINS AVE
S ST
A/B ALY
FAGAN ALY
Q ST
HAWESAVE
WELLER ST
FERGER AVE
POPPY AVE
HUMBOLDT AVE
MYERS AVE
GEARY ST
VALENCIA AVE
WAYTE LN
EDEN AVE
BYRD AVE
KAVILAND AVE
GROVE AVE
CHURCH AVE
GARRETT AVE
NAPA AVE
FLORENCE AVE
LOTUS AVE
VALENTINE AVE
T E IL M A N I C R
FARRIS AVE
FERGER/PALM ALY
EDGAR AVE
PLEASANT AVE
MADISON AVE
VINE AVE
DOROTHY AVE
AIRPORT RD
LAFAYETTE AVE
GOLDEN STATE BLVD
SAMSON AVE
WALNUT AVE
FRUIT AVE
VAN NESS AVE
HUGHES AVE
TRINITY ST
THORNE AVE
MODOC ST
CHANNINGWAY
FULTON ST
BARDELL ST
FRESNO ST POTTLE AVE
ECHO AVE
MARTIN AVE
MAUD AVE
LA S IERRA DR
P ST
N ST
CHANDLER AVE LEE AVE
ROSE AVE
M ADDY DR
PALM AVE
COL LEGE V/ A N NESS ALY
KIRK ST
SARAH ST
GLENN/SAN PABLO ALY
NORTH AVE
ANNADALE AVE
ALMY AVE
ROY AVE
BROADWAY
STEPHENS AVE
ROEDING DR
41 41
180
99 99
0 0.25mi 0.25mi
FIGURE 1-2 Plan Area Map
Sphere of Influence
City Limit
Plan Area
Source: City of Fresno
MARKS AVE
JENSEN AVE
CHURCH AVE
MADISON AVE
KEARNEY BLVD
H
FRUIT AVE
WALNUT AVE
ELM AVE
UGHES AVE
HUGHES AVE
WEST AVE
VALENTINE AVE ANNADALE AVE
NORTH AVE
MARKS AVE
CALIFORNIA AVE
WHITES BRIDGE AVE
MLK JR. BLVD FIG AVE
FIGURE 1-2 Plan Area Map
WEST AVE
PLUMAS ST
PICKFORD AVE
CALIFORNIA AVE
CRYSTAL AVE
C A L IFORN I A CT
TEILMAN AVE
MERCED ST
VAGEDES AV E
ATCHISON ST
TUOLUMNE S
A ST
STANISL
OLEANDER AVE
ARTHUR AVE
KEARNEY BLVD
WOODWARD AVE
LEAD AVE
BLOSSER AVE
AMADOR ST
WATERMAN AVE
MAYOR AVE
KLETTE AVE
MARIPOSA ST
JONES AVE
IRWIN AVE
KERN
HA B ITAT A VE
STROTHER AVE
G
ILA AVE
FAIRVIEW AVE
CA
B ST
LORENA AVE
BURNS
KNIGHT AVE
CHURCH RD
BELG RAV IAAVE
DELNOAVE
E
LEMON AVE
SAN JOAQUIN ST
COLLINS AVE
HAWESAVE
WELLER ST
MYERS AVE
GEARY ST
VALENCIA AVE
EDEN AVE
BYRD
KAVILAND AVE
GROVE AVE
CHURCH AVE
GARR
FLORENCE AVE
T E IL M A N I C R
FARRIS AVE
MADISON AVE
AIRPORT RD
LAFAYETTE AVE
SAMS
WALNUT AVE
FRUIT AVE
HUGHES AVE
TRINITY ST
THORNE AVE
MODOC ST
CHANNING
WAY
BARDELL ST
POTTLE AVE
MARTIN AVE
MAUD AVE
LA S IERRA DR
CHANDLER AVE LEE AVE
NOR
ALM
RO
STEPHENS AVE
ROEDING DR
0 0.25mi 0.25mi
FIGURE 1-2 Plan Area Map
Sphere of Influence
City Limit
Plan Area
JENSEN AVE
CHURCH AVE
MADISON AVE
KEARNEY BLVD
H
FRUIT AVE
WALNUT AVE
U
G
HES A
VE
WEST A
VE
ANNADALE AVE
NORTH AVE
MARKS A
VE
CALIFORNIA AVE
MLK JR. BLVD FIG AVE
Chapter 1 | Plan Introduction 1-5
41 41
168
41 99
41 99
180
99 43
168
180
180
CSU
Fresno
Fresno Yosemite
International
Airport
Fresno
Chaffee
Zoo
Fresno
Chandler
Executive
Airport
DOWNTOWN NEIGHBORHOODS COMMUNITY PLAN
FULTON CORRIDOR SPECIFIC PLAN
SOUTHWEST FRESNO SPECIFIC PLAN
ELM AVENUE AREAWIDE
BROWNFIELDS PLAN
HWY 41 + NORTH CORRIDOR
COMPLETE STREETS PLAN
0 0.25mi 0.25mi
City Limit
Fulton Corridor Specific Plan Area
Elm Avenue Areawide
Brownfields Plan Area
Highway 41 + North Corridor
Complete Streets Plan Area Downtown Neighborhoods Community Plan Area
Southwest Fresno Specific Plan Area
FIGURE 1-3 Context Map
Source: City of Fresno
41 41
41 99
41 99
180
99 180
Fresno
Chaffee
Zoo
Fresno
Chandler
Executive
Airport
DOWNTOWN NEI
FULTON CORRIDOR SPECIFIC PLAN
SOUTHWEST FRESNO SPECIFIC PLAN
ELM AVENUE AREAWIDE
BROWNFIELDS PLAN
HWY 41 + NORTH CORRIDOR
COMPLETE STREETS PLAN
0 0.25mi 0.25mi
City Limit
Fulton Corridor Specific Plan Area
Elm Avenue Areawide
Brownfields Plan Area
Highway 41 + North Corridor
Complete Streets Plan Area Downtown Neighborhoods Community Plan Area
Southwest Fresno Specific Plan Area
FIGURE 1-3 Context Map
1-6 Southwest Fresno Specific Plan | Adopted on October 26, 2017 B. WHY PLAN SOUTHWEST
FRESNO?
Although Southwest Fresno is an area with strong
community identity and character, it is one of the
highest poverty and most environmentally-at-risk
areas in California. It ranks poorly statewide for
communities that are disproportionately burdened
by multiple sources of pollution, such as air
pollution, toxic sites, former landfills, and other
environmental pollutants, and with population
characteristics that make them more sensitive to
pollution.1
Many of these issues are related to
the disinvestment that the west part of Fresno
has suffered from since the early 1900s. Historically, racially discriminatory policies segregated ethnic communities to this part of Fresno. Quality
development in Southwest Fresno and some
other parts of Fresno was discouraged through
redlining. Redlining describes the process by which
financial institutions classified neighborhoods into
categories from most to least desirable, with red
colored areas indicating the areas that were least
desirable.2
As a result, west Fresno had difficulties
attracting quality development, and instead,
became a magnet for siting heavy industrial
facilities and low-cost housing.
Initially agricultural land, Southwest Fresno has
gradually transitioned with more residential, industrial, and commercial uses sprinkled throughout.
Today, Southwest Fresno is made up of a patchwork
of land uses that abut each other, including
subdivisions, industry, and farmland. For example,
many pockets of residential land uses are adjacent
to vacant land, agriculture, and/or industrial uses.
As a result, incompatible land uses are located near
one another, including noise or odor-producing
industrial facilities, land with hazardous materials,
as well as along truck routes. The area within the
City’s SOI contains a significant amount of vacant
land that is residentially designated, but the area
has not yet exhibited much market demand to
develop suburban neighborhoods with desired
commercial and retail services.
1 CalEnviroScreen Version 3.0, Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment, California Environmental Protection Agency. 2 Diana Aguilera, “Rare Maps Reveal Fresno’s Overlooked History of Segregation,” Valley Public Radio News, October 27, 2015, http://kvpr.org/post/rare-maps-reveal-fresnos-overlooked-historysegregation#stream/0 (accessed April 13, 2017).
Industrial businesses are located in close proximity to residential neighborhoods.
Southwest Fresno’s housing stock is predominantly
single-family.
Much of Southwest Fresno is used for agricultural
purposes.
Chapter 1 | Plan Introduction 1-7
OTHER PLANNING EFFORTS
This Plan serves as the first major planning effort
and environmental review to focus on major issues
such as land use planning, development and
design, parks and open space, transportation, and
utilities for the Southwest Fresno area. However,
Southwest Fresno residents and stakeholders have
expressed a long-time interest in improving the
conditions of Southwest Fresno. Many previous
planning efforts and programs have helped set the
stage for the initiation of the Plan as described.
Planning-related Documents Adopted by
the City
■ Southwest Fresno General Neighborhood
Renewal Area Redevelopment Plan (1969).
The Southwest Fresno General Neighborhood
Renewal Area Redevelopment Plan (GNRA) was
adopted in 1969 and amended several times,
most recently in 2010. The GNRA project area
partially overlaps the Plan Area, including the
areas located between the Fresno Chandler
Executive Airport and Church Avenue as well
as the Elm and North Avenue corridors. The
purpose of the GNRA is to eliminate blight,
improve economic conditions, and ensure
development potential and growth within the
project area.
■ Edison Community Plan (1977). The Edison
Community Plan was adopted by the Fresno
City Council in 1977. The plan primarily
focuses on the underutilized portion of the
planning area, which is generally located
to the west of Golden State Boulevard and
south of West Belmont Avenue, and bounded
on the north and east by large industrial
concentrations and on the south and west
by agricultural areas. Historically, Southwest
Fresno suffered from racially discriminatory
deed restrictions, which were also practiced
outside the Southwest Fresno. Given its age,
the Edison Community Plan may not seem
as relevant. Surprisingly, some conditions in
the area have not changed. Over the years,
the ethnic composition has varied. Given the
discrepancies between physical conditions and
socio-economic development in the area, the
Edison Community Plan aimed to stimulate the
long-term balanced growth of the community
based on three objectives related to public
facilities improvements, housing, and economic
and employment development. Key areas for
change include the intersection of California
Avenue and Fresno Street/Walnut Avenue for
a new community center area and expanded
local commercial services; Elm Avenue for land
use, aesthetic, and economic improvements;
and the northern section of Fresno Street from
the proposed community center for centralized
office and professional services. Other areas
recommended for change identified in the
plan’s elements include the intersection of B
Street and Ventura Avenue for senior facilities
and the intersection of B and Stanislaus Streets
for more commercial services.
■ Fresno General Plan (2014). The Fresno
General Plan, adopted in 2014, establishes a
vision for the city and creates a set of policies
and implementation actions to achieve the
community’s vision. The Plan Area is identified
as “Development Area 1-South (DA-1 South)”
and only includes land within the city’s limits,
with the exception of the SOI land defined as
the MLK Activity Center. DA-1 South is adjacent
to established neighborhoods such as the
Downtown Planning Area to the north, the
South Industrial Area to the east, and adjacent
to Development Area 1-West (DA-1 West) to
the north. The SOI adjacent to the Plan Area
is called “Growth Area 1.” The General Plan
envisions “complete neighborhoods,” which
are neighborhoods that connect housing, jobs,
retail, recreation, and services, replacing the
current hodgepodge of industrial, agricultural,
and residential land-use patterns with
neighborhood-scale development. An example
of a complete neighborhood envisioned by
the General Plan is located along the future
California Avenue Bus Rapid Transit (BRT)
corridor, anchored by a regional shopping
center and community park between Church
and Jensen Avenues along Martin Luther King
Jr. Boulevard. In addition to the emphasis
on complete neighborhoods, the City of
Fresno has worked with the Building Healthy
1-8 Southwest Fresno Specific Plan | Adopted on October 26, 2017 Communities (BHC) campaign, which is led
by the California Endowment and strives to
provide disadvantaged communities with
equitable access to resources that improve
health. To support healthy community
initiatives, the General Plan provides land use
and urban design policies to increase access to
physical exercise and fresh food.
■ Citywide Development Code Update (2015).
The City recently updated the Citywide
Development Code, which addresses
development in all areas of the city and serves
as a vehicle that helps implement the goals,
objectives, and policies of the General Plan and
other operative plans. It functions as a precise
guide for the physical development of the City
that is in concert with the arrangement of
land uses identified in the General Plan. The
Citywide Development Code provides direction
on eleven types of districts: Buffer District,
Residential Single-Family Districts, Residential
Multi-Family Districts, Mixed-Use Districts,
Commercial Districts, Employment Districts,
Public and Semi-Public Districts, Planned
Development District, Bluff Protection Overlay
District, and Expressway Area Overlay District.
The Plan references the Citywide Development
Code for its development regulations and
design guidelines for the Plan Area.
Other Plans and Programs
While the plans and programs described below are
not adopted land use plans, they reflect the desires
of the Southwest Fresno community.
■ West Fresno Community Vision Plan (2003).
The West Fresno Community Vision Plan was
prepared bythe Local Government Commission
and Fresno West Coalition for Economic
Development (FWCED), which included a
charrette to develop the plan. About 300
people participated in the charrette to create
a shared vision for an improved quality of life
in West Fresno, including ideas about a more
walkable, livable, and economically viable
community. The plan includes village centers
with mixed uses, infill of vacant lots, blight
remediation, and traffic calming.
■ California Avenue Neighborhood Plan
(2003). The California Avenue Neighborhood
Plan was prepared by the Fresno Housing
Authority and builds upon the 2003 West
Fresno Community Vision Plan, focusing
on future growth, development, and
investment in West Fresno, particularly around
California and Walnut Avenues. The plan’s
implementation recommendations are grouped
into four categories: continuing community
engagement, private development, public
agency development, and public investment.
The plan provides design guidelines for
developers and recommends specific land use
changes, such as introducing mixed use and
higher density along California Avenue, green
buffers between residential and industrial
uses, and the designation of an activity center.
The plan identifies four catalyst projects that
would transform the neighborhood and bring
private development to the area. The plan
recommends specific street, streetscape,
pedestrian, and bicycle improvements,
as well as recreational and public facility
improvements.
■ West Fresno Asset Map Project (2009). In
2009, the City of Fresno, West Fresno Coalition
for Economic Development and the California
Endowment worked together to assess West
Fresno’s assets and create a five-year plan of
action. At the end of the process, a list of 20
actions were identified, which included fasttracking and coordinating new development, balancing affordable and market rate housing
development, and increasing mixed-use, infill
development, particularly on abandoned
properties; attracting businesses to the area
and building relationships with the existing
business community; improving financial
literacy and promoting higher education/
training for residents; increasing funding for
area schools and developing a new middle
school; coordinating and promoting social and
faith-based services to share resources and
avoid duplication; developing a health clinic;
and hosting events that promote the area’s
cultural diversity. Actions completed thus far
include construction of Gaston Middle School
and construction of a new health care facility
(Clinic Sierra Vista).
Chapter 1 | Plan Introduction 1-9
■ Action and Change (2013). Action and Change/
Acción y Cambio is a resident leadership group
for Southwest Fresno that works to identify the
top-most community priorities and conducts
surveys to assess the existing status of these
priorities, such as neighborhood safety and
economic success for residents.
■ Highway 41 + North Corridor Complete
Streets Plan (2015). The City recently
completed a Complete Streets Plan within
the Plan Area. The effort involves improving
the infrastructure in the Highway 41 and
North Corridor area and addressing current
conflicts between truck traffic and the area’s
neighborhoods. It identifies opportunities for
pedestrian, bicycle, and open space amenities.
The land use and circulation recommendations
from the plan are integrated into the
Southwest Fresno Specific Plan.
Future Planning Efforts
■ Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Brownfields Elm Avenue Areawide Plan. The
City is commencing a planning process for Elm
Avenue, which falls primarily within the Plan
Area, to address three brownfield sites which
can serve as catalysts for redevelopment.
■ Industrial Land Use Compatibility Study.
This assessment will address concerns about
incompatible industrial and heavy commercial
land uses and zoning, particularly in south
Fresno neighborhoods, and their negative
health and environmental impacts on the
community. The goals of the project include
identifying incompatible land uses and zoning
with nearby residential land uses, making
recommendations for rezoning and facilities
which should be phased out or relocated,
discussing appropriate locations for these uses,
and identifying feasible mitigation measures
and greening opportunities to reduce their
negative impacts. The Industrial Land Use
Compatibility Study has been directed to be
completed within a year of the adoption of the
Plan’s land use map (see Chapter 3, Land Use,
Section D, Policy LU-8.5).
C. COMMUNITY
ENVIRONMENTAL
HEALTH
This section describes the existing conditions
of community health related to physical health,
community design, and the natural environment
in Southwest Fresno, and is in keeping with the
Healthy Communities Element in the Fresno
General Plan. Many of the Plan’s chapters touch
upon community health issues and provide
recommendations for improvement; however, this
section highlights how the Plan’s topics such as
land use, transportation, and public facilities relate
to and ultimately influence the community health
and well-being of Southwest Fresno residents.
This section includes a snapshot of the regulatory
framework, existing health conditions, key issues
that impact health, and the Plan’s goals and
policies that can improve the health of Southwest
Fresno residents.
EXISTING HEALTH CONDITIONS
Southwest Fresno residents have long experienced
poorer health than other places in California.
However, information documenting the health and
service needs of Southwest Fresno residents is
generally limited. Hospital community health needs
assessments were available only for a four-county
area and therefore of limited applicability to Southwest Fresno. In addition, the Fresno County Public Health Department could provide only limited data
until access to the California Department of Public
Health records is provided. The California Endowment’s BHC Initiative had data for its project area (Central, Southeast, and Southwest Fresno), while
the California Health Interview Survey (CHIS) had
limited information on a zip code basis. As such,
this assessment relies on a variety of sources to
provide a health portrait for Southwest Fresno.
Tables 1-1 to 1-3 provide a summary of key health
indicators. Generally, adults and children within
Southwest Fresno experience poorer health conditions than residents of Fresno County and State of California. Adults have significantly higher rates of
diabetes, asthma, fair to poor health conditions,
1-10 Southwest Fresno Specific Plan | Adopted on October 26, 2017
SOUTHWEST
FRESNO
CITY OF
FRESNO
FRESNO
COUNTY
STATE OF
CALIFORNIA
Diabetes: Adults Ever Diagnosed with Diabetes1 10.8% 8.3% 8.7% 8.4% Health Status: Percentage of Adults 18-64 in Fair
to Poor Health1 26.3% 22.5% 22.1% 17.9%
Obesity: Percentage of Adults 18-64 Who are
Obese1 31.8% 28.5% 29.1% 24.8%
Asthma: Percent of Adults 18+ Diagnosed with
Asthma1 16,7% 18.3% 17.9% 13.7%
TABLE 1-1 Health Profile of Southwest Fresno: Current Health Conditions of Adults Sources for Tables 8-1 to 8-3:
1. Source: California Health Interview Survey, Neighborhood Edition.
2. Source: California Attorney General Office, 2014; City of Fresno Police Department, 2014.
3. Source: American Community Survey, 2009-2013.
“N/A” indicates data not available.
SOUTHWEST
FRESNO
CITY OF
FRESNO
FRESNO
COUNTY
STATE OF
CALIFORNIA
Diabetes: Percentage of Children Diagnosed
with Diabetes1 N/A N/A N/A N/A
Health Status: Percentage of Children in Fair to
Poor Health1 N/A 7.6% 8.0% 6.0%
Overweight: Percentage of Children Ages 12-17
Who are Overweight/Obese1 N/A 38.1% 37.1% 32.4%
Asthma: Percent of Children Ages 0-17 Diagnosed with Asthma1 N/A 21.2% 19.8% 15.4% TABLE 1-2 Health Profile of Southwest Fresno: Current Health Conditions of Children
SOUTHWEST
FRESNO
CITY OF
FRESNO
FRESNO
COUNTY
STATE OF
CALIFORNIA
Poverty: Percentage of Adults Living in Poverty1 34.1% 22.3% 19.9% 13.0% Poverty: Percentage of Children Living in Poverty1 54.0% 38.1% 35.0% 20.9% Smoking: Percentage of Adults Ages 18+ Who
Currently Smoke1 16.6% 16.3% 15.5% 13.8%
Smoking Among Children: Percentage of Children Who Currently Smoke1 N/A N/A N/A N/A Adults: Percentage of Adults Ages 18-64 Who are
Not Insured1 27.1% 22.3% 22.4% 21.4%
Children: Percentage of Children Who are Not
Insured1 N/A 8.4% 8.5% 4.2%
Violent Crimes per 100,000 Residents2 696 463 476 394
Property Crimes per 100,000 Residents2 3.226 4,148 3,407 2,459 Adults Ages 18+ Who Did Not Graduate from
High School or Receive a GED3 43.7% 24.7% 26.3% 18.7%
Population Ages 16+ Who were Unemployed
(2009-2013)3 17.8% 15.7% 14.5% 11.5%
TABLE 1-3 Health Profile of Southwest Fresno: Risk Factors Chapter 1 | Plan Introduction 1-11
and obesity. Although relatively little data is
available for youth, anecdotal evidence and limited
surveys show that children also experience poorer
health outcomes than their peers in the county and
California.
ISSUES
The aforementioned studies provide evidence
that the City and County of Fresno, and the San
Joaquin Valley as a whole, are known for a number
of conditions that are less conducive to health
and wellness. The physical way communities are
designed, the presence of environmental hazards
(air, water, and soil), the availability of health
care facilities and services, and other features all
combine to present significant challenges to health
and well-being. In Southwest Fresno, many of
these environmental and social features converge,
making it impractical and ineffective to isolate and
focus on singular contributors to health.
Addressing the health of Southwest Fresno
involves more than medical care. In fact, achieving
community health must also address underlying
social, economic, and environmental factors (often
referred to as “upstream influences”) within
communities. While some of these influences can
have an immediate impact on community health
(such as air pollution), other factors are long-term
and shape the choices or behaviors of community
members (such as accessible parks).
In response to the health concerns affecting people
across the nation, many cities have developed a
local healthy community program or implemented
specific policies to improve health and wellbeing.
Generally, a healthy community is one that offers
a positive physical, social, natural, and economic
environment that supports the health and wellbeing of all its members and enables them to live to their fullest potential.
A comprehensive healthy community framework
should include at least the following four areas, as
they each directly affect community environmental
health, described below and shown in Figure 1-4.
§ Natural Environment—where clean air, clean
water, and soil free from hazards provide a
healthful environment for residents of all ages
and the environment.
§ Community Design—where the type, location,
and quality of land uses, parks, housing,
and transportation are mutually designed to
support health.
§ Social Environment—where schools, homes,
workplaces, and communities support healthy
choices and the underlying conditions that
support health.
§ Health Care Access—where quality health
services and facilities are affordable, accessible,
and culturally appropriate for residents.
The following subsections describe Southwest
Fresno’s community health issues related to each
of the fields above. The Plan strives to address
these issues through specific goals and policies
and other regulations or guidelines in its chapters,
which are referenced after each sub-issue below
in orange. These goals and policies below work in
tandem with the Healthy Communities Element
in the Fresno General Plan and are intended to
help Southwest Fresno work towards becoming a
healthy community.
FIGURE 1-4 Healthy Community Framework
1-12 Southwest Fresno Specific Plan | Adopted on October 26, 2017 Natural Environment
Environmental conditions are clearly linked to a
community’s health and well-being. This includes
the levels of air pollution, water pollutants,
hazardous wastes, pesticides released, waste
disposal sites, and other sources of pollution. The
Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment
(OEHHA), on behalf of the California Environmental
Protection Agency (CalEPA) has created the
CalEnviroScreen tool. This tool is designed to help
identify communities disproportionately burdened
by environmental pollution.
The Plan Area ranks as one of the most polluted
areas in California, scoring in the 90th to 99th
percentile statewide for communities statewide
that are disproportionately burdened by multiple
sources of pollution and with population characteristics that make them more sensitive to pollution.
Air pollution, toxic sites, former landfills, and
other environmental pollutants contribute to this
poor ranking. The Plan’s EIR will further document
environmental hazards and suggest remediation
in the Plan Area. A review of City documents,
“Cortese List,” and available databases revealed the
following concerns:
■ Air Pollution. According to the American Lung
Association, the Fresno-Madera region is one
of the more polluted regions in California,
and received a grade of “F” for air quality.
Although improvements have been made due
to regulations on diesel particulate matter and
other pollutants, Southwest Fresno ranks as
an area with some of the highest levels of air
pollution (ozone, particulate matter, and diesel
particulate matter among others) throughout
California. Air pollution is particularly a concern
for children, seniors, and people with poor
health.
■ Toxic Emissions. CalEnviroScreen ranks census
tracts according to the level and toxicity of
pollutants emitted by stationary sources
(industrial sources) throughout California. US
EPA uses a computer-based screening tool
called Risk Screening Environmental Indicators
(RSEI) that analyzes these releases to the air
and models potential toxic exposures. The RSEI
does not model actual exposures to residents
or sensitive receptors, only the presence
of chemical releases that are considered
unhealthful.
■ Groundwater Quality. The Fresno water
system is complex, with multiple sources,
treatment, and delivery methods. While
city drinking water meets the primary and
secondary standards for municipal use,
contaminants are present that must be
treated or removed prior to consumption. Of
the City’s 272 groundwater wells, 96 wells
are impacted by one contaminant plume,
33 wells are impacted by two contaminant
plumes, and five wells are impacted by three
contaminant plumes. Eight wells supply water
to Southwest Fresno. Nitrate contamination
is the most prevalent, but all eight wells meet
municipal water standards as noted above.
Nitrate contamination is caused by septic
tanks, wineries, major farming operations,
and agricultural chemical formulating plants.
Several areas in Southwest Fresno remain
unsewered.
■ Hazardous Sites. In Southwest Fresno, several
contaminated sites have released hazardous
materials that required remediation and
involvement by State and federal agencies. The
Fresno Sanitary Landfill is a federal Superfund
site. Hyde Park, Fresno Battery, Fresno Drum,
and Commercial Electroplaters are also the
sites of contamination and under remediation
plans. These sites have caused significant
underground water pollution requiring
State and federal response. In addition, the
Southwest Fresno area has had numerous
leaking underground storage tanks, but
cleanup activities have been completed to the
vast majority of the sites.
The Plan addresses Southwest Fresno’s polluted
natural environment through regulating incompatible land uses in Chapter 3, Land Use.
Chapter 1 | Plan Introduction 1-13
Community Design
Southwest Fresno is a neighborhood in transition.
Initially agricultural, this area is transitioning to
a greater number of residential uses, and as a
result, is abutting previously existing industrial and
commercial uses. The area contains a significant
amount of vacant residentially designated land
within the City’s SOI, but the area has not yet
exhibited much market demand to develop typical
suburban neighborhoods with desired commercial
and retail services. The area is characterized by a
patchwork of existing subdivisions, industry, and
farmland. Significant incompatible land uses are
located near one another, and truck routes bring
noise and diesel emissions to adjoining neighborhoods and cause conflicts between heavy vehicles and pedestrians/cyclists.
Some community design features that lead to
unhealthy outcomes are listed below:
■ Housing and Blighting Conditions. Stable,
healthy housing is a fundamental need and
is known to affect the health and well-being
of families and their children, including
educational outcomes and respiratory health,
among others. In Southwest Fresno, housing
was built primarily in the 1950s and 1960s,
prior to the phasing out of lead-based paint.
Four zip codes (93706, 93701, 93702, and
93706) were found to have significant leadbased paint hazards. In 2009, substandard homes and code enforcement have been
cited as critical issues. Finally, as part of the
citywide 2015-2019 consolidated plan process,
a need for effective code enforcement,
including code enforcement services and
code violations, was cited as a critical issue.
Southwest Fresno also experiences high levels
of blighting property conditions such as vacant,
boarded up buildings, poorly maintained
lots, and crumbling infrastructure. Blighting
property conditions are often related to poor
economic conditions within a community or
neighborhood that lead to disinvestment,
poorer social conditions and community
cohesion, lack of jobs and economic
opportunity, and public safety concerns
that affect the health, safety, and welfare of
residents or business.
■ Transportation. Transportation for many
Southwest Fresno residents is a significant
challenge. Approximately one in five
households do not own a car and depend on
transit, walking, or bicycling to travel to work
or run daily errands. However, much of the
area has limited sidewalks and bicycle facilities,
particularly on streets in or transitioning to
undeveloped or unincorporated areas. Most
collector streets also serve as truck routes,
and are generally not conducive to walking
or bicycling. Transit service is limited or not
available. Coupled with lack of trees and other
walking amenities, streets are not conducive to
active transportation. While there are limited
traffic accidents (e.g., about a dozen per year
with the majority resulting in minor injuries),
the overall condition of the transportation
infrastructure and transit services are likely an
impediment to active living. More information
about Southwest Fresno’s transportation
conditions can be found in Chapter 5,
Transportation.
Multi-modal street with sidewalks and a protected
bike lane.
1-14 Southwest Fresno Specific Plan | Adopted on October 26, 2017 education and job training, to secure employment
with living wages that allow self-sufficiency, and
to feel safe within a neighborhood. The lack of
any of these choices can diminish the potential for
individuals and families to enjoy healthy lives. The
following factors can impede healthy lifestyles:
■ Limited Food and Beverage Choices. Poor
health is often due to the inability to afford
or access healthy food. Poor diet can lead
to poor mental health, chronic disease, and
premature death. Approximately 21 percent
of Southwest Fresno adults are food insecure,
which is significantly above the state average
(8.4 percent) and that of Fresno County (14.7
percent). Poor diet is also in part due to poor
access to healthy foods. Southwest Fresno is
considered a food desert, defined as a large
or isolated area in which grocery stores are
absent or distant. Only one large discount
grocer, supplemented by neighborhood
convenience and liquor stores, serve
Southwest Fresno. Although the area has a few
community gardens, these gardens can only
provide limited amounts of fresh food.
■ Low Education Attainment, Household
Income, and Poverty. Educational levels are
a significant predictor of income and the
ability to make healthier choices, including
diet, exercise, medical care, and other choices
that support health. In Southwest Fresno, 45
percent of residents age 25 and older have not
completed high school. Only seven percent
have earned a college degree. At the local
school level, Edison High’s three-year average
Academic Performance Index is approximately
760, which is below the state standard of 800.
Several elementary schools score in the high
600s, well below the statewide standard of
800. These elementary and secondary school
academic indicators indicate a need for greater
academic achievement among children and
youth living in Southwest Fresno. Education is
often correlated with income. Higher income
levels enable families to make healthy choices.
These include living in safer and wellmaintained housing, affording higher levels of health insurance, purchasing healthier foods,
Neighborhood park as community gathering space.
■ Park and Recreational Facilities. Southwest
Fresno has significant park acreage in total.
However, when the 123-acre fee-based
Regional Sports Complex is excluded, the
acreage of free local parks is significantly
smaller. The lack of sidewalks, bicycle lanes,
trees, and proximity to industry make some
parks inaccessible. Several elementary schools
in Southwest Fresno provide structured
after-school programs that address recreational
needs. In aggregate, there is still a need for
parks. More information about Southwest
Fresno’s parks conditions can be found in
Chapter 6, Public Facilities.
In response to these conditions, the Plan addresses housing quality and blight remediation in Chapter 3, Land Use. The Plan promotes active
transportation in Chapter 5, Transportation.
Chapter 5, Transportation, also addresses rerouting truck traffic, promotes complete streets, and addresses pedestrian and vehicle conflicts. The
Plan addresses park conditions and amenities
in Chapter 6, Public Facilities. Chapter 6, Public
Facilities, also addresses access to parks and
their proximity to residential neighborhoods, and
addresses natural landscape.
Social Environment
Lifestyle choices have an important role in healthy
outcomes. These choices include the ability and
means to choose healthy foods, to obtain quality
Chapter 1 | Plan Introduction 1-15
and making other choices that promote better
health and well-being. Southwest Fresno has
long been a low-income area. More than one
in three adults live in poverty and the median
household income is $26,711. More than
40 percent of households are estimated to
depend on Cal-Fresh food subsidies. Compared
to county and state averages, Southwest
Fresno is considered severely disadvantaged
based on household income and criteria under
Senate Bill 535 for disadvantaged communities.
With high unemployment rates, economic
development and job opportunities remain
important goals.
■ Crime and Safety. One significant investment
disincentive that community leaders point to in
Southwest Fresno is the presence of crime and
violence, particularly gang and drug-related
crime. In 2014, Fresno recorded a crime rate of
463 violent crimes and 4,148 property crimes
per 100,000 people. In Southwest Fresno, the
violent crime rate was 50 percent higher (696
violent crimes per 100,000 residents) while
property crime was 22 percent lower (3,226
crimes per 100,000 people) than in Fresno.
Compared to the 15 other incorporated places
in Fresno County, six cities in the county have
violent crime rates higher than Southwest
Fresno. Southwest Fresno residents also
mentioned that drug possession and sales
were commonplace; however, no statistics are
available that would accurately represent the
relative level of drug possessions and sales
within the community.
In response to these social factors, Chapter 3,
Land Use, addresses access to fresh, affordable,
and nutritious foods. Specific development
regulations contained in Chapter 4, Development
Regulations, allow healthy food grocers throughout the Plan Area. Chapter 6, Public Facilities, addresses educational, vocational, and youth
support. Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED) principles are contained in Chapter 4, Development Regulations, and provide
guidance on property design and effective use of
the built environment that can lead to a reduction in the fear and incidence of crime.
Community garden.
Farmers’ market stands with fresh and local produce.
Small pop-up grocer offering local fruits, juices, and
other fresh goods.
1-16 Southwest Fresno Specific Plan | Adopted on October 26, 2017 Health Care Access
Access to medical facilities and services is essential
for obtaining preventive health care. Historically,
Southwest Fresno residents have had few options
for accessing medical facilities. The area had a
shortage of services, including mental health, nursing, and primary care for its medically underserved population.
Today, the situation has changed with improvements in services, although barriers still exist to obtaining appropriate care. The following summarizes the current availability and accessibility of health care facilities and services:
■ Hospital Access. No public hospitals are in
Fresno that offer low-cost health care services
to the indigent. Community Regional Medical
Center, located two miles northeast from
Southwest Fresno, is the closest for-profit
hospital. This medical facility continues to
expand in its service capacity and the range
of medical services provided. However, the
facility is still a private hospital facility, and not
a public hospital geared for serving the needs
of lower income and/or immigrant populations
living in Southwest Fresno.
■ Access to Low-Cost Clinics. Access to
community health clinics has significantly
improved in recent years. Southwest Fresnans
have multiple choices to access medical
care: Easton Community Health Center, Elm
Community Health Center (Clinic Sierra Vista),
and West Fresno Community Health Center,
among others. Gaston Middle School also has
an on-site health clinic. These facilities have
significantly improved access to preventive
health care.
■ Health Organizations. Southwest Fresno
residents are served by other health and
social service organizations. One such group
is the West Fresno Family Resource Center.
Its mission is to empower and support the
community in achieving optimal health and
well-being through outreach, education,
engagement, counseling and advocacy, and
health and social service programs. Centro La
Familia and other similar service agencies serve
the health and welfare needs of low income
residents in Southwest Fresno.
Despite improvements in the number and breadth
of health services in Southwest Fresno, the need
for preventive care is still great. Southwest Fresno
residents still experience high levels of preventive
chronic and episodic health conditions. One in four
residents and nearly half of all noncitizens lack basic health insurance. The lack of insurance is often related to delayed medical care and emergency
room visits. Many residents still experience poorer
health outcomes, underscoring the importance of
not only providing health facilities and services, but
also addressing the upstream influences of health.
Chapter 6, Public Facilities, addresses health care
access.
Community Regional Medical Center at Illinois Avenue
and Clark Street in Fresno.
Elm Community Health Center (Clinic Sierra Vista)
provides services to Southwest Fresnans.
Chapter 1 | Plan Introduction 1-17
D. SOUTHWEST FRESNO
SPECIFIC PLAN
COMMUNITY
ENGAGEMENT
The outreach and participation for the planning
process has been multifaceted and extensive. As of
February 25, 2017, there have been fourteen Steering Committee meetings, approximately ten topic group meetings, and four community workshops.
All meetings were open to the public and noticed
accordingly in English and Spanish. The last three
Steering Committee meetings and workshop have
been a part of a supplementary phase of engagement. A community office was established in a vacant storefront in the Marcus Center at Martin
Luther King Jr. Boulevard and California Avenue as
a convenient venue for community members to
meet and provide input on the Plan. The various
components of the outreach process are described
as follows.
STEERING COMMITTEE
A 21-member Steering Committee made up of
neighborhood residents, business owners, developers, youth, and other stakeholders appointed by City Councilmember Oliver Baines at the beginning
of the planning process, played a crucial advisory
role for the Plan’s development. Community
organizations were represented on the Committee,
including Habitat for Humanity, Action and Change,
Leadership Counsel for Justice and Accountability,
the Fresno Housing Authority, Centro Binacional
para el Desarrollo Indígena Oaxaqueño, the
Economic Development Corporation, Caltrans, and
the Fresno Metro Black Chamber of Commerce.
Washington Union School District as well as the
State Center Community College District were
also represented. The Committee’s task was to
understand the desires of the community (as
expressed at the community workshops and topic
group meetings) and apply their own knowledge
as stakeholders to the development of the Plan’s
land use map. Every Steering Committee meeting
was publicly noticed and attendance by community
members welcomed. Steering Committee and project team after the Planning Commission’s approval of the Plan’s land use map.
The Steering Committee was represented by members
from different organizations.
Steering Committee members working together in
small groups.
1-18 Southwest Fresno Specific Plan | Adopted on October 26, 2017
COMMUNITY WORKSHOPS
The initial phase of the planning process included
three community workshops, held on September
15 and October 13, 2015, and on February 16,
2016. They were attended by approximately 125,
70, and 60 people, respectively. The tasks at the
workshops were to identify the community’s vision
and issues and ultimately select a land use concept
that would guide the development of the Plan’s
land use map, which forms the basis of the Plan.
TOPIC GROUPS
Topic groups were organized by Steering Committee members. Members of the public were invited to provide input on the issues that surfaced at the
first community workshop. The majority of topic
group meetings were held at the community office
during the period between the first and third community workshops. The topic groups established were the following, and several of them met more
than once:
■ Housing
■ Neighborhood-serving Retail
■ Parks and Open Space
■ Jobs and Economic Development
■ Community Environmental Health
■ Transportation
■ Industrial Compatibility
COMMUNITY OFFICE
A community office was established in a vacant
storefront in the Marcus Center at 858 E. California
Avenue at Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and
California Avenue to facilitate community input
of various forms. In addition to the topic group
meetings held in the office, a youth art-making
workshop and a produce market event were also
held.
OUTREACH METHODS
Prior to the first community workshop, a bilingual
flyer was mailed to all property owners and
residents in and beyond the Plan Area, including
those within SOI boundary, inviting recipients to all
three community workshops. Postcard reminders
were mailed prior to each workshop. A webpage
was established at www.fresno.gov/southwestplan,
providing public access to public meeting materials
such as agendas, presentations, summaries, and
other important documents. An email list was
created with all interested stakeholders, including
all workshop attendees and anyone else who
requested to be added to the list.
Steering Committee members facilitated conversations
on different topics related to Southwest Fresno.
Community workshop at Gaston Middle School.
Community members working together to help identify
preferred land uses for Southwest Fresno.
Chapter 1 | Plan Introduction 1-19
E. PLAN STRUCTURE AND
CONTENT
The Plan is organized into the following eight
chapters. A set of objectives and implementing
policies are provided in each relevant chapter. The
Plan’s chapters are as follows:
1. Introduction. This chapter defines a Specific
Plan and explains its purpose, provides a
brief narrative about Southwest Fresno’s
history and its context, explains the Specific
Plan’s relationship to previous and future
planning efforts, and provides a summary of
the planning process and outreach efforts.
This chapter also describes the existing
conditions of community environmental
health related to physical health, community
design, and the natural environment in
Southwest Fresno, providing a snapshot of
the regulatory framework, existing health
conditions, and key issues that impact
health. The community environmental
health section also calls out specific chapters
in the Plan that address and strive to
improve these existing health issues.
2. Vision. This chapter describes the
visioning process that culminated into the
development of the Plan’s conceptual vision
and land use map. Guiding principles for
various topics, including housing, retail,
parks and open space, jobs and economic
development, transportation, and industrial
compatibility, helped shape the Plan’s vision.
3. Land Use. This chapter describes the land
uses that make up the Plan Area. It also
provides the anticipated development
capacity from these land uses over the
25-year horizon of the Plan for new singlefamily and higher-density housing units, retail, office, parks, schools, and other public
facilities.
4. Development Regulations. This chapter
notes where zoning in the Plan Area differs
from the Citywide Development Code. It
provides development and design standards
for the Kearney Boulevard Historic Overlay
and the California Avenue Mixed-Use
Corridor Overlay. It describes the objectives
of three special corridors, two magnet cores,
and complete neighborhood nodes. And
finally, it includes a section on CPTED.
5. Transportation. This chapter describes
improvements for pedestrian, transit, auto,
truck, and bicycle circulation throughout
the area and to adjacent neighborhoods,
including Downtown, the Fresno Area
Express (FAX) bus terminal, and the future
High-Speed Rail (HSR) station. The chapter
also provides complete streets design
standards that will promote walkability and
livability in the Plan Area.
6. Public Facilities. This chapter describes the
existing context for public facilities within
the Plan Area and identifies the Plan’s
proposed public facility improvements.
Public facilities include existing parks, new
parks, new K to 12 schools within complete
neighborhoods, and a new community
college within the MLK Activity Center.
7. Utilities. This chapter summarizes utility
infrastructure needs in the Plan Area for wet
utilities such as water supply, wastewater,
storm system, and recycled water use, as
well as dry utilities such as electrical, fiber
optic and gas systems.
8. Implementation. The final chapter outlines
a strategy to implement the Plan’s vision,
which includes identifying the public
improvements, responsible parties, and
funding sources necessary to implement the
Plan. The chapter also addresses specific
strategies for economic development,
including homeownership, business
development, education, training, and retail
anchor tenant recruitment.
1-20 Southwest Fresno Specific Plan | Adopted on October 26, 2017 Youth recorded down their desires for Southwest
Fresno on paper.
The community office acted as a space for youth to
share their ideas about Southwest Fresno.
Art created by youth at the community office.
Ideas from topic groups were recorded on maps and
worksheets.
Topic groups met at a local community office to
continue their discussions from the community workshop.
Community members sharing thoughts about the
incompatibility of industrial uses in Southwest Fresno.
Chapter 2 | Vision 2-1
VISION
A. INTRODUCTION
Southwest Fresno is an area with a great amount
of potential that has yet to be tapped. The
Southwest Fresno Specific Plan Area (Plan Area)
is made up of large swaths of developable land
and the surrounding Sphere of Influence (SOI)
contains miles of green fields. The Southwest
Fresno Specific Plan’s (the Plan) long-term vision
for Southwest Fresno imagines all of these areas
to become places where people live, play, work,
and learn. Southwest Fresno would become its
own vibrant set of communities and be wellconnected to Downtown, strengthening the overall image and livability of the city.
The vision behind the Plan was developed in
collaboration with the community in Southwest
Fresno and the Steering Committee. After com-
munity members shared initial input about the
issues and opportunities for Southwest Fresno
during the first workshop, many of the workshop
attendees participated in follow-up meetings
to continue their discussion on specific topics
in the form of “topic groups.” Through these
topic group meetings, ideas and themes about
each topic emerged and were refined by the
Steering Committee. These themes culminated
into guiding principles that were used for the
development of the Plan and the Plan’s land use
map. The vision defines all physical-, program-,
and policy-related aspects of the Plan described
in this chapter and for all following chapters. 2
2-2 Southwest Fresno Specific Plan | Adopted on October 26, 2017 B. GUIDING PRINCIPLES
The guiding principles below are categorized by
each of the community’s initial working topic
groups and were used to develop the Plan’s
recommendations. The topic of “community
environmental health” is an overarching theme
that is relevant throughout the six topics below.
The purpose of these guiding principles is to
provide the Plan direction on how it can best
benefit the built environment of the community
and promote physical, social, and mental wellness for Southwest Fresnans.
HOUSING
■ Provide a mix of high quality housing types,
with an emphasis on single-family housing,
that is affordable to a mix of low, moderate,
and high-income households.
■ Encourage new housing that is compatible
with the community character and historic
architecture of Southwest Fresno.
■ Locate housing close to amenities such as
parks, schools, transit, services, retail, and
employment.
RETAIL
■ Attract desired and needed retail to serve
Southwest Fresno residents, such as clothing
and department stores, restaurants, healthy
grocers, and services.
■ Discourage the expansion of potentially
controversial retail establishments such as
liquor stores, tobacco shops, and short-term
loan shops, without consideration of unique
impacts to the community and imposition of
any appropriate conditions.
■ Provide both large-scale, regional-serving
retail and smaller-scale, neighborhoodserving retail at appropriate locations in Southwest Fresno.
High quality single-family housing in walkable
neighborhoods.
Park and landscaped open space in close proximity
to housing.
Mixed-use retail.
Chapter 2 | Vision 2-3
PARKS AND OPEN SPACE
■ Refine the standard for what is defined as
“parkland” to include truly usable parks, as
opposed to standards that include unusable
spaces in ponding basins or parkland located
on landfill or toxic sites.
■ Prioritize improving existing parks with better
and more amenities.
■ Create parks that are safe, healthy, social,
and active spaces for residents, especially
families and youth, to visit.
■ Locate new parks within walking distance,
defined as a ½-mile radius, of all residences.
JOBS AND ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT
■ Prepare, mentor, and train Southwest Fresno
residents, including youth, to become better
qualified for existing and future employment
within Southwest Fresno by providing
appropriate services, programs, and facilities.
■ Locate employment uses so that they do not
conflict with residential areas, but are still
conveniently accessible by various modes of
transportation.
■ Attract desirable employment to Southwest
Fresno by locating them near retail and
regional access points.
■ Encourage future job opportunities to shift
from unskilled, low-wage jobs to skilled,
higher-education jobs.
Improvements to the public realm with pedestrian
amenities.
Plazas and open space with special amenity areas.
Offices with tree-lined parking areas and internal
pedestrian pathways.
2-4 Southwest Fresno Specific Plan | Adopted on October 26, 2017
TRANSPORTATION
■ Accommodate both motorized and nonmotorized modes of travel and people of all ages and abilities to improve mobility/
transportation within Southwest Fresno.
■ Locate transit on routes near residential
areas and provide access to desired
destinations.
■ Include opportunities for recreational
walking and biking.
■ Provide visible, complete, safe, and regularly
maintained transportation infrastructure,
such as roads, crosswalks, sidewalks, and
traffic lights.
■ Connect to and expand access to regional
transportation networks such as Bus Rapid
Transit (BRT), Fresno Area Express (FAX), and
High-speed Rail (HSR).
INDUSTRIAL COMPATIBILITY
■ Monitor and mitigate negative impacts of
industrial uses from becoming a nuisance
and hazard to residents.
■ Prohibit new industrial development in the
Specific Plan Area through the adoption of
proposed Specific Plan land use and zoning
provisions and restrict the proximity of
truck routes near residential areas to the
maximum extent feasible.
■ Locate new industrial development
away from Southwest Fresno residential
neighborhoods.
■ Increase transparency and communication
between government staff, government and
elected officials, residents, and stakeholders
regarding proposed industrial uses and/or
improvements.
Bicycle Improvements along a residential street.
Pedestrian-friendly, community-serving retail with
pedestrian crossing.
Landscaped sidewalks and outdoor seating at
building frontages.
Chapter 2 | Vision 2-5
C. SPECIFIC PLAN LAND USE VISION
“The Southwest Fresno community is supported by two higher intensity cores near major highway interchanges, each with a primary magnet use.
These magnet cores are ringed with smaller complete neighborhoods that support the core. Each complete neighborhood includes housing and a node with community-serving uses. Neighborhoods are linked by welldefined corridors lined with higher intensity uses.” The guiding principles described in the previous
section, Section B, helped shape the conceptual
vision for the Plan and the Plan’s land use map. A
conceptual vision diagram of the Plan is shown in
Figure 2-1. The Plan’s land use map envisions the
interplay of “complete neighborhoods,” “corridors,” and “magnet cores” to create a vibrant and desirable community that is accessible to
and abundant with neighborhood amenities and
services, supported by local and neighboring
residents. The Plan sets aside the majority of
land for single-family residential uses and locates
higher density residential uses at some neighborhood nodes, near magnet uses, and along corridors. This will allow walkable access for greater numbers of residents to shopping, schools, parks,
and transit, such as buses and BRT.
Additionally, the Plan envisions that the most
optimal locations for large-scale, regional-serving
retail are those that have good proximity, visibility, and access from the greatest number of people, while having enough distance away from
other similar retail to avoid competition. In the
Plan, regional retail is shown in two locations:
with access from Highway 180 at Marks and
Whites Bridge Avenues and from Highway 41
near Jensen Avenue and MLK Jr. Boulevard. These
locations would allow new retail businesses to
draw customers from areas beyond Southwest
Fresno. On the other hand, smaller scale
neighborhood retail shops can be more dispersed
as long as they are located along well-traveled
streets. In the Plan, smaller neighborhood retail
locations are shown in each of the complete
neighborhood nodes and along corridors with
mixed use.
Larger scale employment uses such as offices,
colleges, and medical facilities are concentrated
in higher-intensity corridors, while opportunities
for smaller scale offices are allowed along a less
intensive corridor (the Mixed-Use/Jobs Corridor).
While more jobs in Southwest Fresno are desirable, the businesses that provide them must be healthy, safe, and good neighbors to nearby
residents to avoid potential conflicts between
residents and employment uses. To assure this
good neighbor policy, new employment areas
would be planned and zoned Office and all previously Light Industrial, Heavy Industrial, Business Park, and Regional Business Park areas would be
planned and zoned Office.
The concepts of complete neighborhoods,
corridors, and magnet cores are described in
further detail starting on page 2-7. Chapter 4,
Development Regulations, provides guidance on
how to implement these concepts.
2-6 Southwest Fresno Specific Plan | Adopted on October 26, 2017 Neilson
Park
Ponding
Basin/
Park FF
Ponding
Basin/
Park TT2
41 180
41 180
99 99
Regional
Sports
Complex
Hyde
Park
Neilson
Park
Mary Ella
Brown Community Center
Chandler
Park
West
Fresno
Middle
School
West
Fresno
Elementary
School
WEB Dubois Public Charter School
Rutherford B. Gaston Middle School
Kirk Elementary Anchor Academy School Charter School
Edison
High
School
King Elementary
School
Lincoln
Elementary
School
Bethune
Elementary
School
Sunset
Elementary
School
Pershing
Continuation
High School
Big Picture
High School
Columbia
Elementary
School
Elm Community Health
Center
Community
Regional
Medical Center
Veteran’s
Housing
Complex
e
Fresno Chandler
Executive Airport
DOWNTOWN
KEARNEY BLVD
WHITES BRIDGE AVE
MLK JR. BLVD
FRESNO ST
WEST AVE
CHURCH AVE
MARKS AVE
JENSEN AVE
FIG AVENUE
CALIFORNIA AVE
WALNUT AVE
FRUIT AVE
VALENTINE AVE
ANNADALE AVE
ELM AVENUE
NORTH AVE
CHERRY AVENUE
HUGHES AVE
CENTRAL AVE
0.25mi 0 0.25mi
City limit
Sphere of Influence
Plan Area
County Land
Magnet Core
Complete
Neighborhood
Bus Rapid Transit Line
MAGNET
FIGURE 2-1 Conceptual Vision for Southwest Fresno
Regional Retail Corridor
Regionally-serving retail with
higher-density housing
Historic Corridor
Larger single-family
houses with small-scaled
commercial
Mixed-Use Corridor
Ground-floor retail with
higher-density housing
above and around
Jobs Corridor
Offices and business parks with
higher-density housing and
commercial
Mixed-Use and Jobs
Corridor
Office uses and ground-floor retail
with higher-density housing above
CORRIDORS
HSR
FAX
MAGNET
MAGNET
BRT
S.F. HOUSING
REGIONAL
RETAIL
COMMUNITY
COLLEGE
ACTIVITY CENTER
JOBS H.D. HOUSING
NEW
PARK
NBHD.
RETAIL
EXPANDED
PARK
NBHD.
RETAIL
H.D.
HOUSING
NBHD.
PARK
SUPER
MARKET
H.D. HOUSING
NBHD.
PARK
NBHD.
PARK
NBHD.
RETAIL H.D. HOUSING
S.F.
HOUSING
NEW SCHOOL
NBHD.
RETAIL
H.D. HOUSING
S.F.
HOUSING
NBHD.
PARK
NBHD.
RETAIL
H.D. HOUSING
REGIONAL
RETAIL JOBS
SUPER
MARKET MEDICAL
FACILITY H.D. HOUSING
S.F.
HOUSING
NEW SCHOOL
NBHD.
RETAIL EXPANDED
PARK
JOBS
NEW NBHD. SCHOOL
PARK
H.D. HOUSING
NBHD.
RETAIL
S.F.
HOUSING
S.F.
HOUSING
S.F.
HOUSING
S.F.
HOUSING
JOBS
JOBS
NBHD.
RETAIL NEW SCHOOL
NBHD.
PARK
H.D. S.F. HOUSING
HOUSING
NBHD.
PARK
NBHD.
PARK
NBHD.
PARK
FIGURE 2-1 Conceptual Vision for Southwest Fresno
Chapter 2 | Vision 2-7
Complete neighborhoods are self-sufficient with
housing and parkland nearby.
COMPLETE NEIGHBORHOODS
The concept of a complete neighborhood is
adopted from the General Plan. The General Plan
introduced the concept of complete neighborhoods to break away from Fresno’s typical development pattern of separating residential
and retail areas, and instead, to create neighborhoods that are interconnected and self-sufficient.
Complete neighborhoods foster communities
that have housing, services, employment, and
recreation all within walking distance (see Figure
2-2). Each complete neighborhood should
uniquely reflect its community’s values and
character, and serve the particular needs of its
residents.
A series of small, complete neighborhoods will
make up the Southwest Fresno area. Each of
the complete neighborhoods should contain a
center, or node, made up of community-serving
uses, including retail, a range of housing types,
a school, and a park. Existing or new singlefamily residences should surround the node and be within a reasonable walking distance of a
quarter-mile of the node.
FIGURE 2-2 Conceptual Diagram of Development within a Complete Neighborhood 1/4 Mile
a range of housing
types in each
neighborhood, with a
preference for
single-family housing
joint-use park facilities
with schools for public use
neighborhood
services and
amenities, clustered
at neighborhood
center
neighborhoods
centered around
the intersection
of two major
streets
Retail
Housing
School
Park
1/4 Mile
a range of housing
types in each
neighborhood, with a
preference for
single-family housing
joint-use park facilities
with schools for public use
neighborhood
services and
amenities, clustered
at neighborhood
center
neighborhoods
centered around
the intersection
of two major
streets
Retail
Housing
School
Park
2-8 Southwest Fresno Specific Plan | Adopted on October 26, 2017
CORRIDORS
Corridors are key streets that are lined with higher, more intensive development and have multimodal improvements such as pedestrian, bicycle, and transit facilities (see Figure 2-3). Development located further away from the corridor would be less intensive, such as single-family housing. Due to each corridor’s surrounding context and physical characteristics, not all corridors are lined with the same type of higher intensity development or have the same types of improvements. Some corridors are retail-focused, while others are employment- or residential-focused. Additionally, the Mixed-Use Corridor along the future Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) line, California Avenue, would also have BRT facilities in order to improve BRT connectivity from Southwest Fresno to Downtown.
single-family housing
located outside of
corridors
1/4 Mile
higher-intensity uses such
as higher-density housing
and mixed use clustered
along and around corridor
neighborhoods
can contain
multiple
corridors
Retail
Higher-density housing
Single-family housing
Corridor
Park
School
Mixed use
FIGURE 2-3 Conceptual Diagram of Development along a Corridor Chapter 2 | Vision 2-9
There are several existing major corridors in
Southwest Fresno that should be enhanced to
become locations for vehicular access and bus
service in the future so that new development
along these corridors will benefit from these
transportation connections. The corridors identified in the Plan each have a different emphasis based on the existing character of the street,
including:
Historic Corridor
The historic Kearney Boulevard will be
enhanced with landscaping and lined with
larger-scale single-family residential development as well as lower-intensity office uses.
Regional Retail Corridor
This corridor will be along Whites Bridge
Avenue with regional-serving, big box retail,
housing, and parks.
Mixed-Use Corridor
California Avenue will become a mixed-use
corridor with active ground-floor communityserving stores and services below housing or office and connected to Downtown Fresno
with a future BRT line.
Jobs Corridor
This corridor will be home to office uses and
housing along Jensen Avenue and connect
the magnet core west of Martin Luther King
Jr. Boulevard to Highway 41.
Mixed-Use/Jobs Corridor
Elm Avenue will feature community-serving
shops and a diverse mix of office, jobs,
housing, and commercial services and could
potentially have enhanced transit service
improvements in the future to connect
the southern portion of the Plan Area to
Downtown.
Pedestrian-oriented entries along a mixed-use corridor.
Office space along a jobs corridor.
2-10 Southwest Fresno Specific Plan | Adopted on October 26, 2017
MAGNET CORES
Magnet cores each contain a high intensity
magnet use that attracts other supportive higher
intensity uses. Examples of magnet uses include
regional retail development, a medical facility, or
a community college. Higher intensity uses such
as higher-density housing, community parks,
offices, and retail cluster around magnets, forming a magnet center or “core” (see Figure 2-4).
The magnet core’s high intensity uses create an
activity center that not only serves residents, but
also attracts visitors. Development further away
from the magnet core is at a lower intensity, such
as single-family housing, but still surrounds the
magnet core for convenient accessibility. The
proposed locations for magnet cores in the Plan
will serve different parts of Southwest Fresno and
would be accessible to regional travelers.
The southern magnet core is proposed between
Jensen and Church Avenues, west of MLK Jr.
Boulevard. This area is identified as the “MLK
Activity Center” in the General Plan and proposes
a regional shopping center and higher density
neighborhood district. The community-preferred
magnet use for the MLK Activity Center is a community college campus. While it is not certain that a community college campus in Southwest
Fresno will be funded and built, there has been
discussion about this possibility with the State
Center Community College District’s Board. Other
uses could also serve as magnet uses to attract
development, including large-scale retail, medical
clinics, or campuses. The Plan proposes a set of
flexible uses at this location to accommodate any
of these uses.
The northern magnet core is located at Marks
and Whites Bridge Avenues where there is both
access from Highway 180 and from existing and
new residential development in the western part
of the Plan Area. This magnet core is anticipated
to be developed with regional retail uses and
medical facilities accessible to both travelers on
Highway 180 and residents of the Southwest
neighborhood.
College magnet use.
Supermarket anchor in a regional retail center.
Chapter 2 | Vision 2-11
magnet core with
higher-intensity uses
such as a community
college, park,
employment, and
regional retail
magnet core ringed
with primarily
single-family housing
1/ 4 Mile
existing
residential
housing
existing
school
Retail
Employment
Higher-density housing
Single-family housing
Park
School
College
Mixed Use
FIGURE 2-4 Conceptual Diagram of Development around a Magnet Core 2-12 Southwest Fresno Specific Plan | Adopted on October 26, 2017 Chapter 3 | Land Use 3-1
LAND USE
A. INTRODUCTION
This chapter summarizes the land use elements
and describes the urban form of the Southwest
Fresno Specific Plan (the Plan), which reflects the
Steering Committee’s and community’s preferred
land use alternative for future development in the
Southwest Fresno Specific Plan Area (Plan Area).
The locations of the various land uses were selected and refined by the Steering Committee in order to support the type of community described in the
Plan’s vision (see Chapter 2, Vision). The Plan’s land
use map should be considered the physical “vision”
for the area and the underlying foundation for the
Southwest Fresno Specific Plan.
The Chapter is organized into the following
sections:
A. Introduction
B. Southwest Fresno Specific Plan Land Uses
C. Development Capacity Analysis
D. Goals and Policies
3 3-2 Southwest Fresno Specific Plan | Adopted on October 26, 2017 B. SOUTHWEST FRESNO
SPECIFIC PLAN LAND
USES
Figure 3-1 shows the overall planned land uses for
the Southwest Fresno area, including the Sphere
of Influence (SOI) outside of the Plan Area as well
as the conceptual overlays from Chapter 2’s Figure
2-1. The conceptual overlays show how the Plan’s
vision of corridors, magnet cores, and complete
neighborhoods relates to Southwest Fresno’s land
uses. The land uses in the SOI that are shown
Figure 3-1 are for reference and future planning
purposes since the Plan only affects the land within
the Plan Area. Figure 3-2 shows the Plan’s land use
map, which contains only lands within the Plan
Area. Consistent with the Fresno General Plan
(General Plan), new parks, open space, and public
facilities carry dual land use designations, so if that facility is not needed, alternative private or public
development consistent with zoning and development standards may be approved. These dual land use designations are shown in Figure 3-3. Uses,
structures, site features, and lots that were created
lawfully prior to the adoption of the Plan but do not
conform subsequently to the Plan’s provisions are
considered “nonconforming” and may be continued
indefinitely as long as the non-conforming use,
structure, site feature, or lot is legal, and there is
no change to the use, structures, site features, and
lot. See Article 4 of the City’s Citywide Development Code for more details.
LAND USE CLASSIFICATIONS
The following land uses make up the Plan Area
and are categorized by residential, employment,
commercial, public facilities, and open space uses.
Many of the following land use classifications’
descriptions, including their floor area ratio (FAR)
and dwelling units per acre densities, are cited
from the General Plan’s land use classifications. The
Plan introduces a few new land use designations
that provide more specific conditions for existing
land use classifications, which are described in
further detail below.
Medium Low Density housing as single-family detached
housing.
Medium Density housing includes duplexes and
townhouses as well as single-family homes.
Medium High Density housing includes townhomes that
can accommodate multi-generational living.
Chapter 3 | Land Use 3-3
41 41
180
99 99
MAGNET
MAGNET
WEST AVE
CRYSTAL AVE
C ALIFORNIA CT TEILMAN AVE
JENSEN AVE VAGEDESAVE ATCHISON ST
OLEANDER AVE
ARTHUR AVE
KEARNEY BLVD
NIELSEN AVE
HOLLY AVE
CLARA AVE
WOODWARD AVE
LEAD AVE
LILY AVE
BLOSSER AVE
GEORGEAVE
ILA AVE
CALWA AVE
LORENA AVE
KNIGHT AVE
CHURCH RD
DUNN AVE
BELG RAVIAAVE
DELNOAVE
HAWESAVE
MYERS AVE
GEARY ST
VALENCIA AVE
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PLEASANT AVE
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LA SIERRADR
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TULARE S
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ST
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R ST
LOS ANGELES ST
NICHOLAS AVE
C ST
MONTEREYST
BRALY AVE
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A ST
SAN BENITO ST
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M ST
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VENTURA ST
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TUPMAN ST
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T ST
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L ST
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Q ST
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CHANNINGWAY
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OC LL GE E V/ ANNESSALY
SARAH ST
GLENN/SAN PABLO ALY
BROADWAY
STEPHENS AVE
FARRIS AVE
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CHURCH AVE
VALENTINE AVE
MADISON AVE
KEARNEY BLVD
WALNUT AVE
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HUGHES AVE HUGHES AVE
WEST AVE
BRAWLEY AVE
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BRAWLEY AVE
CENTRAL AVE
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MLK JR. BLVD FIG AVE
RESIDENTIAL EMPLOYMENT
MIXED-USE
PUBLIC FACILITIES OPEN SPACE
COMMERCIAL
0 0.25mi 0.25mi
O Office
Office Restricted
Automobile /Vehicle Sales and
Services are are not permitted
O No Auto
P Park
CZ Clear Zone
NP Neighborhood Park
CP Community Park
RP Regional Park
PB Ponding Basin
PBP Ponding Basin Park
NP* Neighborhood Park*
CMX Corridor/Center Mixed-Use
NMX Neighborhood Mixed-Use
SS Special School
C College
Elementary School E
PF Public Facility
M Middle School
A Airport
HOSP Hospital
NC Neighborhood Center
PG&E PG&E Station
Water Recharge
Basin
WR
R Regional
G General
FIGURE 3-1 Land Use Map with Conceptual Overlays, including SOI CH Church
C Community
*The exact location of the parks within the Mission Ranch development will be determined in a future planning process.
Medium Density (5 - 12 du/ac)
Medium High Density (12 - 16 du/ac)
Urban Neighborhood (16 - 30 du/ac)
Medium Low Density (3.5 - 6 du/ac)
Low Density (1 - 3.5 du/ac)
Office*
After 85% of the land in Fresno’s “Reverse
Triangle” is occupied with heavy industrial
uses, light industrial uses are permitted
O*
Corridor
Sphere of Influence
City Limit
Plan Area
Magnet Core
Complete
Neighborhood
MAGNET
Note: Dual Land Use designations for proposed public facilities and open space are shown on a supplemental map.
OS Open Space
NMX
NMX
O
O
O
O
R O
G
CMX
CMX CMX
C C
C
PB
PB
PB
PB
PB PBP PB
PB
PB
P
OS
CP
NP
NP
NP
CZ
RP
A
PG&E
HOSP
E
M
PB
PB
C
E
R C
NP*
NP*
E
C
NP
NP
E
M
NC
WR
NC
O*
O*
O*
PBP
E or M PF SS
(M/HS) E or M
PF
E
E
PF
NMX
C C
CP
R
O
No Auto
O
No Auto
R
CZ
CMX
CMX
CMX
CMX
E
NMX
PF PF PF
CMX
PB
PB
PB
PB
CP
OS
NP
Source: City of Fresno
FIGURE 3-1 Land Use Map with Conceptual Overlays, including SOI 41 41
180
99 99
MAGNET
MAGNET
WEST AVE
CRYSTAL AVE
C ALIFORNIA CT TEILMAN AVE
JENSEN AVE VAGEDESAVE ATCHISON ST
OLEANDER AVE
ARTHUR AVE
KEARNEY BLVD
NIELSEN AVE
HOLLY AVE
CLARA AVE
WOODWARD AVE
LEAD AVE
LILY AVE
BLOSSER AVE
GEORGEAVE
ILA AVE
CALWA AVE
LORENA AVE
KNIGHT AVE
CHURCH RD
DUNN AVE
BELG RAVIAAVE
DELNOAVE
HAWESAVE
MYERS AVE
GEARY ST
VALENCIA AVE
EDEN AVE
BYRD AVE
KAVILAND AVE
GROVE AVE
GARRETT AVE
FLORENCEAVE
TE ILMAN I C R
PLEASANT AVE
VINE AVE
DOROTHY AVE
LAFAYETTE AVE
SAMSON AVE
FRUIT AVE
THORNE AVE
BARDELL ST
LA SIERRADR
ELM AVE
KIRK ST
NORTH AVE
ANNADALE AVE
ALMY AVE
ROY AVE
ROEDING DR
TULARE S
G
T
ST
PLUMAS ST
PICKFORD AVE
DIVISADERO ST
MERCED ST
R ST
LOS ANGELES ST
NICHOLAS AVE
C ST
MONTEREYST
BRALY AVE
TUOLUMNE ST
A ST
SAN BENITO ST
STANISLAUS ST
WOODWARD AVE
M ST
CALAVERAS ST
BROADWAY PLZ
VENTURA ST
RAILROAD AVE
MARIPOSA ST
SANTA FE AVE
PARKWAY DR
ROOSEVELT AVE
ANNA ST
BLACKSTONE AVE BELGRAVIA AVE
ILLINOIS AVE
GRANT AVE
H ST
AMADOR ST
E ST
WATERMAN AVE
MAYOR AVE
U ST
KLETTE AVE
MARIPOSA ST
JONES AVE
IRWIN AVE
KERN ST
INYO ST
MONO ST
SANTACLARA ST
STROTHER AVE
IVY AVE
O ST
FAIRVIEW AVE
B ST
ARTHUR AVE
FRUIT AVE
EL DORADO ST
CHERRY AVE
PACIFIC AVE
FULTON MALL
TUPMAN ST
CAPITOL ST
T ST
LEMON AVE
ONEILAVE
GENEVA AVE
SAN JOAQUIN ST
CHINA ALY F ST
EUNICE AVE
HOME RUN ALY
L ST
COLLINS AVE
S ST
A/B ALY
FAGAN ALY
Q ST
WELLER ST
FERGER AVE
POPPY AVE
HUMBOLDT AVE
WAYTE LN
NAPA AVE
LOTUS AVE
FERGER/PALM ALY
EDGAR AVE
AIRPORT RD
GOLDEN STATE BLVD
WALNUT AVE
VAN NESS AVE
TRINITY ST
MODOC ST
CHANNINGWAY
FULTON ST
FRESNO ST POTTLE AVE
ECHO AVE
MARTIN AVE
MAUD AVE
P ST
N ST
CHANDLER AVE LEE AVE
ROSE AVE
MADDY DR
PALM AVE
OC LL GE E V/ ANNESSALY
SARAH ST
GLENN/SAN PABLO ALY
BROADWAY
STEPHENS AVE
FARRIS AVE
MARKS AVE
JENSEN AVE
CHURCH AVE
VALENTINE AVE
MADISON AVE
KEARNEY BLVD
WALNUT AVE
FRUIT AVE
ELM AVE
HUGHES AVE HUGHES AVE
WEST AVE
BRAWLEY AVE
VALENTINE AVE
BRAWLEY AVE
CENTRAL AVE
ANNADALE AVE
NORTH AVE
MARKS AVE
CALIFORNIA AVE
WHITES BRIDGE AVE
MLK JR. BLVD FIG AVE
RESIDENTIAL EMPLOYMENT
MIXED-USE
PUBLIC FACILITIES OPEN SPACE
COMMERCIAL
0 0.25mi 0.25mi
O Office
Office Restricted
Automobile /Vehicle Sales and
Services are are not permitted
O No Auto
P Park
CZ Clear Zone
NP Neighborhood Park
CP Community Park
RP Regional Park
PB Ponding Basin
PBP Ponding Basin Park
NP* Neighborhood Park*
CMX Corridor/Center Mixed-Use
NMX Neighborhood Mixed-Use
SS Special School
C College
Elementary School E
PF Public Facility
M Middle School
A Airport
HOSP Hospital
NC Neighborhood Center
PG&E PG&E Station
Water Recharge
Basin
WR
R Regional
G General
FIGURE 3-1 Land Use Map with Conceptual Overlays, including SOI CH Church
C Community
*The exact location of the parks within the Mission Ranch development will be determined in a future planning process.
Medium Density (5 - 12 du/ac)
Medium High Density (12 - 16 du/ac)
Urban Neighborhood (16 - 30 du/ac)
Medium Low Density (3.5 - 6 du/ac)
Low Density (1 - 3.5 du/ac)
Office*
After 85% of the land in Fresno’s “Reverse
Triangle” is occupied with heavy industrial
uses, light industrial uses are permitted
O*
Corridor
Sphere of Influence
City Limit
Plan Area
Magnet Core
Complete
Neighborhood
MAGNET
Note: Dual Land Use designations for proposed public facilities and open space are shown on a supplemental map.
OS Open Space
NMX
NMX
O
O
O
O
R O
G
CMX
CMX CMX
C C
C
PB
PB
PB
PB
PB PBP PB
PB
PB
P
OS
CP
NP
NP
NP
CZ
RP
A
PG&E
HOSP
E
M
PB
PB
C
E
R C
NP*
NP*
E
C
NP
NP
E
M
NC
WR
NC
O*
O*
O*
PBP
E or M PF SS
(M/HS) E or M
PF
E
E
PF
NMX
C C
CP
R
O
No Auto
O
No Auto
R
CZ
CMX
CMX
CMX
CMX
E
NMX
PF PF PF
CMX
PB
PB
PB
PB
CP
OS
NP
Source: City of Fresno
3-4 Southwest Fresno Specific Plan | Adopted on October 26, 2017 41 41
180
99 99
NMX
NMX
O
O
O
O
R O
G
CMX
CMX CMX
C C
C
PB
PB
PB
PB
PB PBP PB
PB
PB
P
CP
CP
NP
NP
NP
CZ
RP
A
PG&E
HOSP
E
M
PB
PB
C
E
R C
NP*
NP*
E
C
NP
NP
E
M
NC
WR
NC
PBP
PF
PF
PF
NMX
C C
CP
R
CZ
CMX
CMX
E
NMX
PF
OS OS
NP
Medium Density Residential
to Neighborhood Mixed-Use 2
WEST AVE
CRYSTAL AVE
C ALIFORNIA CT TEILMAN AVE
JENSEN AVE VAGEDESAVE ATCHISON ST
OLEANDER AVE
ARTHUR AVE
KEARNEY BLVD
NIELSEN AVE
CLARA AVE
WOODWARD AVE
LEAD AVE
LILY AVE
BLOSSER AVE
GEORGEAVE
ILA AVE
CALWA AVE
LORENA AVE
KNIGHT AVE
CHURCH RD
DUNN AVE
BELG RAVIAAVE
DELNOAVE
HAWESAVE
MYERS AVE
GEARY ST
VALENCIA AVE
EDEN AVE
BYRD AVE
KAVILAND AVE
GROVE AVE
GARRETT AVE
FLORENCEAVE
TE ILMAN I C R
PLEASANT AVE
VINE AVE
DOROTHY AVE
LAFAYETTE AVE
SAMSON AVE
FRUIT AVE
THORNE AVE
BARDELL ST
LA SIERRADR
ELM AVE
KIRK ST
NORTH AVE
ANNADALE AVE
ALMY AVE
ROY AVE
ROEDING DR
TULARE S
G
T
ST
PLUMAS ST
PICKFORD AVE
DIVISADERO ST
MERCED ST
R ST
LOS ANGELES ST
NICHOLAS AVE
C ST
MONTEREYST
BRALY AVE
TUOLUMNE ST
A ST
SAN BENITO ST
STANISLAUS ST
WOODWARD AVE
M ST
CALAVERAS ST
BROADWAY PLZ
VENTURA ST
RAILROAD AVE
MARIPOSA ST
SANTA FE AVE
PARKWAY DR
ROOSEVELT AVE
ANNA ST
BLACKSTONE AVE BELGRAVIA AVE
ILLINOIS AVE
GRANT AVE
H ST
AMADOR ST
E ST
WATERMAN AVE
MAYOR AVE
U ST
KLETTE AVE
MARIPOSA ST
JONES AVE
IRWIN AVE
KERN ST
INYO ST
MONO ST
SANTACLARA ST
STROTHER AVE
IVY AVE
O ST
FAIRVIEW AVE
B ST
ARTHUR AVE
FRUIT AVE
EL DORADO ST
CHERRY AVE
PACIFIC AVE
FULTON MALL
TUPMAN ST
CAPITOL ST
T ST
LEMON AVE
ONEILAVE
GENEVA AVE
SAN JOAQUIN ST
CHINA ALY F ST
EUNICE AVE
HOME RUN ALY
L ST
COLLINS AVE
S ST
A/B ALY
FAGAN ALY
Q ST
WELLER ST
FERGER AVE
POPPY AVE
HUMBOLDT AVE
WAYTE LN
NAPA AVE
LOTUS AVE
FERGER/PALM ALY
EDGAR AVE
AIRPORT RD
GOLDEN STATE BLVD
WALNUT AVE
VAN NESS AVE
TRINITY ST
MODOC ST
CHANNINGWAY
FULTON ST
FRESNO ST POTTLE AVE
ECHO AVE
MARTIN AVE
MAUD AVE
P ST
N ST
CHANDLER AVE LEE AVE
ROSE AVE
MADDY DR
PALM AVE
OC LL GE E V/ ANNESSALY
SARAH ST
GLENN/SAN PABLO ALY
BROADWAY
STEPHENS AVE
FARRIS AVE
MARKS AVE
JENSEN AVE
CHURCH AVE
VALENTINE AVE
MADISON AVE
KEARNEY BLVD
WALNUT AVE
FRUIT AVE
ELM AVE
HUGHES AVE HUGHES AVE
WEST AVE
BRAWLEY AVE
VALENTINE AVE
BRAWLEY AVE
CENTRAL AVE
ANNADALE AVE
NORTH AVE
MARKS AVE
CALIFORNIA AVE
WHITES BRIDGE AVE
MLK JR. BLVD FIG AVE
Source: City of Fresno FIGURE 3-2 Land Use Map for Plan Area (REVISED 10-6-17)
RESIDENTIAL EMPLOYMENT
MIXED-USE
PUBLIC FACILITIES OPEN SPACE
COMMERCIAL
O Office P Park
CZ Clear Zone
NP Neighborhood Park
CP Community Park
RP Regional Park
PB Ponding Basin
PBP Ponding Basin Park
NP* Neighborhood Park* Corridor/Center
Mixed-Use
CMX
Neighborhood
Mixed-Use
NMX
C College
E Elementary School
PF Public Facility
M Middle School
A Airport
HOSP Hospital
Neighborhood
Center
PG&E PG&E Station NC
Water Recharge
Basin
WR
R Regional
CH Church
C Community
*The exact location of the parks
within the Mission Ranch
development will be determined
in a future planning process.
Medium Density (5 - 12 du/ac)
Medium High Density (12 - 16 du/ac)
Urban Neighborhood (16 - 30 du/ac)
Medium Low Density (3.5 - 6 du/ac)
Low Density (1 - 3.5 du/ac)
City Limit Sphere of Influence
0 0.25mi 0.25mi
Plan Area
Note: Dual land use designations for proposed public facilities and open space are shown on Figure 3-3.
G General
OS Open Space
O
FIGURE 3-2 Land Use Map for Plan Area
41 41
180
99 99
NMX
NMX
O
O
O
O
R O
G
CMX
CMX CMX
C C
C
PB
PB
PB
PB
PB PBP PB
PB
PB
P
CP
CP
NP
NP
NP
CZ
RP
A
PG&E
HOSP
E
M
PB
PB
C
E
R C
NP*
NP*
E
C
NP
NP
E
M
NC
WR
NC
PBP
PF
PF
PF
NMX
C C
CP
R
CZ
CMX
CMX
E
NMX
PF
OS OS
NP
Medium Density Residential
to Neighborhood Mixed-Use 2
WEST AVE
CRYSTAL AVE
C ALIFORNIA CT TEILMAN AVE
JENSEN AVE VAGEDESAVE ATCHISON ST
OLEANDER AVE
ARTHUR AVE
KEARNEY BLVD
NIELSEN AVE
CLARA AVE
WOODWARD AVE
LEAD AVE
LILY AVE
BLOSSER AVE
GEORGEAVE
ILA AVE
CALWA AVE
LORENA AVE
KNIGHT AVE
CHURCH RD
DUNN AVE
BELG RAVIAAVE
DELNOAVE
HAWESAVE
MYERS AVE
GEARY ST
VALENCIA AVE
EDEN AVE
BYRD AVE
KAVILAND AVE
GROVE AVE
GARRETT AVE
FLORENCEAVE
TE ILMAN I C R
PLEASANT AVE
VINE AVE
DOROTHY AVE
LAFAYETTE AVE
SAMSON AVE
FRUIT AVE
THORNE AVE
BARDELL ST
LA SIERRADR
ELM AVE
KIRK ST
NORTH AVE
ANNADALE AVE
ALMY AVE
ROY AVE
ROEDING DR
TULARE S
G
T
ST
PLUMAS ST
PICKFORD AVE
DIVISADERO ST
MERCED ST
R ST
LOS ANGELES ST
NICHOLAS AVE
C ST
MONTEREYST
BRALY AVE
TUOLUMNE ST
A ST
SAN BENITO ST
STANISLAUS ST
WOODWARD AVE
M ST
CALAVERAS ST
BROADWAY PLZ
VENTURA ST
RAILROAD AVE
MARIPOSA ST
SANTA FE AVE
PARKWAY DR
ROOSEVELT AVE
ANNA ST
BLACKSTONE AVE BELGRAVIA AVE
ILLINOIS AVE
GRANT AVE
H ST
AMADOR ST
E ST
WATERMAN AVE
MAYOR AVE
U ST
KLETTE AVE
MARIPOSA ST
JONES AVE
IRWIN AVE
KERN ST
INYO ST
MONO ST
SANTACLARA ST
STROTHER AVE
IVY AVE
O ST
FAIRVIEW AVE
B ST
ARTHUR AVE
FRUIT AVE
EL DORADO ST
CHERRY AVE
PACIFIC AVE
FULTON MALL
TUPMAN ST
CAPITOL ST
T ST
LEMON AVE
ONEILAVE
GENEVA AVE
SAN JOAQUIN ST
CHINA ALY F ST
EUNICE AVE
HOME RUN ALY
L ST
COLLINS AVE
S ST
A/B ALY
FAGAN ALY
Q ST
WELLER ST
FERGER AVE
POPPY AVE
HUMBOLDT AVE
WAYTE LN
NAPA AVE
LOTUS AVE
FERGER/PALM ALY
EDGAR AVE
AIRPORT RD
GOLDEN STATE BLVD
WALNUT AVE
VAN NESS AVE
TRINITY ST
MODOC ST
CHANNINGWAY
FULTON ST
FRESNO ST POTTLE AVE
ECHO AVE
MARTIN AVE
MAUD AVE
P ST
N ST
CHANDLER AVE LEE AVE
ROSE AVE
MADDY DR
PALM AVE
OC LL GE E V/ ANNESSALY
SARAH ST
GLENN/SAN PABLO ALY
BROADWAY
STEPHENS AVE
FARRIS AVE
MARKS AVE
JENSEN AVE
CHURCH AVE
VALENTINE AVE
MADISON AVE
KEARNEY BLVD
WALNUT AVE
FRUIT AVE
ELM AVE
HUGHES AVE HUGHES AVE
WEST AVE
BRAWLEY AVE
VALENTINE AVE
BRAWLEY AVE
CENTRAL AVE
ANNADALE AVE
NORTH AVE
MARKS AVE
CALIFORNIA AVE
WHITES BRIDGE AVE
MLK JR. BLVD FIG AVE
Source: City of Fresno FIGURE 3-2 Land Use Map for Plan Area (REVISED 10-6-17)
RESIDENTIAL EMPLOYMENT
MIXED-USE
PUBLIC FACILITIES OPEN SPACE
COMMERCIAL
O Office P Park
CZ Clear Zone
NP Neighborhood Park
CP Community Park
RP Regional Park
PB Ponding Basin
PBP Ponding Basin Park
NP* Neighborhood Park* Corridor/Center
Mixed-Use
CMX
Neighborhood
Mixed-Use
NMX
C College
E Elementary School
PF Public Facility
M Middle School
A Airport
HOSP Hospital
Neighborhood
Center
PG&E PG&E Station NC
Water Recharge
Basin
WR
R Regional
CH Church
C Community
*The exact location of the parks
within the Mission Ranch
development will be determined
in a future planning process.
Medium Density (5 - 12 du/ac)
Medium High Density (12 - 16 du/ac)
Urban Neighborhood (16 - 30 du/ac)
Medium Low Density (3.5 - 6 du/ac)
Low Density (1 - 3.5 du/ac)
City Limit Sphere of Influence
0 0.25mi 0.25mi
Plan Area
Note: Dual land use designations for proposed public facilities and open space are shown on Figure 3-3.
G General
OS Open Space
O
Chapter 3 | Land Use 3-5
41 41
180
99 99
WEST AVE
CRYSTAL AVE
C ALIFORNIA CT TEILMAN AVE
JENSEN AVE VAGEDESAVE ATCHISON ST
OLEANDER AVE
ARTHUR AVE
KEARNEY BLVD
NIELSEN AVE
HOLLY AVE
CLARA AVE
WOODWARD AVE
LEAD AVE
LILY AVE
BLOSSER AVE
GEORGEAVE
ILA AVE
CALWA AVE
LORENA AVE
KNIGHT AVE
CHURCH RD
DUNN AVE
BELG RAVIAAVE
DELNOAVE
HAWESAVE
MYERS AVE
GEARY ST
VALENCIA AVE
EDEN AVE
BYRD AVE
KAVILAND AVE
GROVE AVE
GARRETT AVE
FLORENCEAVE
TE ILMAN I C R
PLEASANT AVE
VINE AVE
DOROTHY AVE
LAFAYETTE AVE
SAMSON AVE
FRUIT AVE
THORNE AVE
BARDELL ST
LA SIERRADR
ELM AVE
KIRK ST
NORTH AVE
ANNADALE AVE
ALMY AVE
ROY AVE
ROEDING DR
TULARE S
G
T
ST
PLUMAS ST
PICKFORD AVE
DIVISADERO ST
MERCED ST
R ST
LOS ANGELES ST
NICHOLAS AVE
C ST
MONTEREYST
BRALY AVE
TUOLUMNE ST
A ST
SAN BENITO ST
STANISLAUS ST
WOODWARD AVE
M ST
CALAVERAS ST
BROADWAY PLZ
VENTURA ST
RAILROAD AVE
MARIPOSA ST
SANTA FE AVE
PARKWAY DR
ROOSEVELT AVE
ANNA ST
BLACKSTONE AVE BELGRAVIA AVE
ILLINOIS AVE
GRANT AVE
H ST
AMADOR ST
E ST
WATERMAN AVE
MAYOR AVE
U ST
KLETTE AVE
MARIPOSA ST
JONES AVE
IRWIN AVE
KERN ST
INYO ST
MONO ST
SANTACLARA ST
STROTHER AVE
IVY AVE
O ST
FAIRVIEW AVE
B ST
ARTHUR AVE
FRUIT AVE
EL DORADO ST
CHERRY AVE
PACIFIC AVE
FULTON MALL
TUPMAN ST
CAPITOL ST
T ST
LEMON AVE
ONEILAVE
GENEVA AVE
SAN JOAQUIN ST
CHINA ALY F ST
EUNICE AVE
HOME RUN ALY
L ST
COLLINS AVE
S ST
A/B ALY
FAGAN ALY
Q ST
WELLER ST
FERGER AVE
POPPY AVE
HUMBOLDT AVE
WAYTE LN
NAPA AVE
LOTUS AVE
FERGER/PALM ALY
EDGAR AVE
AIRPORT RD
GOLDEN STATE BLVD
WALNUT AVE
VAN NESS AVE
TRINITY ST
MODOC ST
CHANNINGWAY
FULTON ST
FRESNO ST POTTLE AVE
ECHO AVE
MARTIN AVE
MAUD AVE
P ST
N ST
CHANDLER AVE LEE AVE
ROSE AVE
MADDY DR
PALM AVE
OC LL GE E V/ ANNESSALY
SARAH ST
GLENN/SAN PABLO ALY
BROADWAY
STEPHENS AVE
FARRIS AVE
MARKS AVE
JENSEN AVE
CHURCH AVE
VALENTINE AVE
MADISON AVE
KEARNEY BLVD
WALNUT AVE
FRUIT AVE
ELM AVE
HUGHES AVE HUGHES AVE
WEST AVE
BRAWLEY AVE
VALENTINE AVE
BRAWLEY AVE
CENTRAL AVE
ANNADALE AVE
NORTH AVE
MARKS AVE
CALIFORNIA AVE
WHITES BRIDGE AVE
MLK JR. BLVD FIG AVE
FIGURE 3-3 Dual Land Use Designation Map for Plan Area
RESIDENTIAL EMPLOYMENT
O Office
Medium Density (5 - 12 du/ac)
Medium High Density (12 - 16 du/ac)
Urban Neighborhood (16 - 30 du/ac)
Medium Low Density (3.5 - 6 du/ac)
City Limit Sphere of Influence
0 0.25mi 0.25mi
Plan Area
O
O
O
Source: City of Fresno FIGURE 3-3 Dual Land Use Designation Map for Plan Area
WEST AVE
CRYSTAL AVE
C ALIFORNIA CT TEILMAN AVE
J
VAGEDESAVE ATCHISON ST
OLEANDER AVE
ARTHUR AVE
KEARNEY BLVD
CLARA AVE
WOODWARD AVE
LEAD AVE
BLOSSER AVE
GEORGEAVE
ILA AVE
CALWA AVE
LORENA AVE
KNIGHT AVE
CHURCH RD
BELG RAVIAAVE
DELNOAVE
HAWESAVE
MYERS AVE
GEARY ST
VALENCIA AVE
EDEN AVE
BYRD AVE
KAVILAND AVE
GROVE AVE
GARRETT AVE
FLORENCEAVE
TE ILMAN I C R
LAFAYETTE AVE
SAMSON AVE
FRUIT AVE
THORNE AVE
BARDELL ST
LA SIERRADR
NORTH AVE
A
ALMY AVE
ROY AVE
ROEDING DR
G
S
PLUMAS ST
PICKFORD AVE
MERCED ST
C ST
TUOLUMNE ST
A ST
STANISLAUS ST
B
AMADOR ST
E ST
WATERMAN AVE
MAYOR AVE
KLETTE AVE
MARIPOSA ST
JONES AVE
IRWIN AVE
KERN ST
STROTHER AVE
FAIRVIEW AVE
B ST
TUPMAN ST
LEMON AVE
ONEILAVE
SAN JOAQUIN ST
C
F ST
COLLINS AVE
A/B ALY
FAGAN
WELLER ST
AIRPORT RD
WALNUT AVE
TRINITY ST
MODOC ST
CHANNING
WAY
FRESNO ST POTTLE AVE
MARTIN AVE
MAUD AVE
CHANDLER AVE LEE AVE
STEPHENS AVE
FARRIS AVE
JENSEN AVE
CHURCH AVE
VALENTINE AVE
MADISON AVE
KEARNEY BLVD
WALNUT AVE
FRUIT AVE
H
U
G
HES A
VE
WEST A
VE
BRAWLEY AVE
CENTRAL AVE
ANNADALE AVE
NORTH AVE
MARKS A
VE
CALIFORNIA AVE
WHITES BRIDGE AVE
MLK JR. BLVD FIG AVE
FIGURE 3-3 Dual Land Use Designation Map for Plan Area
RESIDENTIAL EMPLOYMENT
O Office
Medium Density (5 - 12 du/ac)
Medium High Density (12 - 16 du/ac)
Urban Neighborhood (16 - 30 du/ac)
Medium Low Density (3.5 - 6 du/ac)
City Limit Sphere of Influence
0 0.25mi 0.25mi
Plan Area
O
O
O
3-6 Southwest Fresno Specific Plan | Adopted on October 26, 2017 Residential
Residential land uses provide for a wide range of
neighborhoods and housing types.
The scale of Office uses can be compatible with existing residential neighborhoods.
Urban Neighborhood residential creates compact
development with multi-family dwellings.
Low Density
This designation is intended to provide for large-lot
residential development. Low Density Residential
allows one to 3.5 housing units per acre. The
resulting land use pattern is large-lot residential
in nature, such as rural residential, ranchettes, or
estate homes.
Medium-low Density
The Medium Low Density designation is intended
to provide for single-family detached housing with
densities of 3.5 to 6 units per acre.
Medium Density
Medium Density Residential covers developments
of 5 to 12 units per acre and is intended for areas
with predominantly single-family residential
development, but can also accommodate a mix of
housing types, including small-lot starter homes,
zero-lot-line developments, duplexes, and townhouses. Much of the city’s established neighborhoods fall within this designation.
Medium-high Density
Medium High Density Residential is intended
for neighborhoods with a mix of single-family
residences, townhomes, garden apartments, and
multi-family units intended to support a fine-grain,
pedestrian scale. This land use accommodates
densities from 12 to 16 units per acre overall.
Urban Neighborhood
Urban Neighborhood Residential covers densities
from 16 to 30 units per acre, which will generally
require multi-family dwellings but still allow for a
mix of housing types including single-family houses.
This land use is intended to provide for a compact
community that includes community facilities
and walkable access to parkland and commercial
services; it also supports efficient, frequent transit
service. Urban Neighborhood is designated for
targeted areas with complementary land uses
adjacently located.
Chapter 3 | Land Use 3-7
Community Commercial uses are intended to serve local
residents within a smaller neighborhood.
Employment
Office
The Office designation is intended for administrative, financial, business, professional, medical, and public offices. This designation is mainly intended
to apply to existing office uses on smaller lots,
generally located on arterial roadways. This designation is also considered compatible with existing residential neighborhoods given the smaller
level of noise and traffic generated compared to
commercial uses. Retail uses would generally be
limited to business services, food services, and
convenience goods for those who work in the area.
The maximum FAR is 2.0.
Office Restricted
The Office Restricted designation only exists in the
SOI; it allows all of the uses allowed in the Office
designation with the exception of auto/vehicle services and rentals to limit potential negative impacts related to aesthetics, noise, odor, and air quality to
affect surrounding residential neighborhoods and
employment areas. The maximum FAR is 2.0.
Commercial
Commercial land use designations allow a wide
range of retail and service establishments intended
to serve local and regional needs.
Community
Community Commercial is intended for commercial
development that primarily serves local needs such
as convenience shopping and small offices. Many of
the city’s current commercial districts fall into this
designation. Specific uses allowed include mediumscale retail, office, civic and entertainment uses, supermarkets, drug stores and supporting uses.
The maximum FAR is 1.0.
Regional
The Regional Commercial designation is intended
to meet local and regional retail demand, such
as large-scale retail, office, civic and entertainment uses; shopping malls, with large format or “big-box” retail allowed. It allows supporting uses
such as gas stations, and hotels. Buildings typically
have relatively large footprints. Development and
Regional Commercial development with surface
parking.
design standards will create a pedestrian orientation within centers and along major corridors. The maximum FAR is 1.0.
General
The General Commercial designation is intended
for a range of retail and service uses that are
not appropriate in other areas because of higher
volumes of vehicle traffic and potential adverse
impacts on other uses. Examples of allowable uses
include: building materials, storage facilities with
active storefronts, equipment rental, wholesale
businesses, and specialized retail not normally
found in shopping centers. The maximum FAR is
2.0. 3-8 Southwest Fresno Specific Plan | Adopted on October 26, 2017 Mixed-Use
Mixed-use designations are based on commercial
uses and also require a residential or office component.
Neighborhood Mixed-Use
This designation allows a minimum of 50 percent
residential uses and provides for mixed-use districts
of local-serving, pedestrian-oriented commercial
development, such as convenience shopping and
professional offices in two- to three-story buildings.
Development is expected to include ground-floor
neighborhood retail uses and upper-level housing
or offices, with a mix of small -lot single-family
houses, townhomes, and multi-family dwelling
units on side streets, in a horizontal or vertical
mixed-use orientation. The built form will have a
scale and character that is consistent with pedestrian orientation, to attract and promote a walk-in clientele, with small lots made accessible by closely
spaced connections for pedestrians, bicyclists, and
vehicular traffic; these connections will provide
convenient access from residences to commercial
space. Automobile-oriented uses are not permitted. Residential densities range between 12 and 16 units per acre and the maximum FAR is 1.5.
Corridor/Center Mixed-Use
The Corridor/Center Mixed-Use designation is
higher intensity than Neighborhood Mixed-Use,
and is intended to allow for horizontal and vertical
mixed-use development in multiple story buildings
along key circulation corridors where height and
density can be easily accommodated. Ground-floor
retail and upper-floor residential or offices are
the primary uses, with personal and business
services and public and institutional space as
supportive uses. Development will facilitate the
transformation of existing transportation corridors
into active, highly walkable areas with broad,
pedestrian- friendly sidewalks, trees, landscaping,
and local-serving uses with new buildings that step
down in relationship to the scale and character
of adjacent neighborhoods. This designation will
largely apply along major roadways, at targeted
locations between regional Activity Centers as
defined in the General Plan. Residential densities
range between 16 and 30 units per acre with a
minimum 40 percent residential uses, and the
maximum FAR is 1.5.
Neighborhood Mixed-use emphasizes pedestrianoriented commercial development.
Corridor/Center Mixed-use with ground-floor office
space and multi-family housing above.
Chapter 3 | Land Use 3-9
Public Facilities
This designation applies to public facilities, such as
City Hall, county buildings, schools, colleges, the
municipal airports, and hospitals. It also includes
public facilities, such as fire and police stations,
City-operated recycling centers, and sewage treatment plants. The following public facility land uses are within the Plan Area: Public Facility (General),
K to 12 Schools (such as Elementary, Middle, and
Special Schools), Airport, Church, Hospital, Neighborhood Center, PG&E Station, Water Recharge Basin, and College.
Open Space
The Open Space designation applies to open space
areas, such as parks, golf courses, ponding basins,
riparian corridors, and the clear zone around
airports. The following open space land uses are
within the Plan Area: Park (General), Neighborhood Park, Community Park, Regional Park, Clear Zone, Ponding Basin, and Ponding Basin Park. Of
these, Parks, Neighborhood Parks, Community
Parks, Regional Parks, and Ponding Basin Parks are
considered parkland space for purposes of General
Plan goals. Further explanation about the parkland
definition can be found in Chapter 6, Public Facilities.
The Clear Zone land use designation is for land
that is within close proximity to the airport and is
limited to use of ten people per acre. Any potential
development within the Clear Zone could conflict
with flight sightlines and movements. The Southwest Fresno area contains a number of ponding basins, which are used to collect and reuse stormwater. The Ponding Basin Park land use designation is for certain ponding basins that are also accessible to the public as park space. However, park access is not open year-round and only accessible
during seasons where the ponding basin will not be
used to collect stormwater.
Open Space can include larger community and
regional parks.
Open Space can include neighborhood-serving open
space.
Housing abutting residential open space and
playgrounds.
3-10 Southwest Fresno Specific Plan | Adopted on October 26, 2017 C. DEVELOPMENT
CAPACITY ANALYSIS
The following development capacity analysis
describes the number of single-family and multifamily housing dwelling units; square feet of commercial, office, and public facility development;
and park acreage anticipated in the Plan Area in the
30-year timeframe of the Plan. Development capacity numbers were calculated for the Plan based on the Plan’s land uses, using the General Plan’s
dwelling units per acre and FAR capacity numbers.
Table 3-1 describes only the development capacity
for development within the Plan Area boundary.
LAND USES DEVELOPMENT
CAPACITY
Single-family housing 4,201 dwelling units
Multi-family housing 1,626 dwelling units
HOUSING TOTAL 5,827 dwelling units
Commercial 1,377,534 square feet
Employment 767,665 square feet
Parks/Open Space 78 acres
Public Facilities
121 acres or
1,489,965 square feet
TABLE 3-1 Development Capacities for the
Plan Area
It should be noted that, like the General Plan, the
development capacities in Table 3-1 are for new development and only take into account the development of parcels that have higher opportunities for development, such as parcels that are vacant, open
agriculture, or rural residential (partially vacant).
These opportunity sites for development are
highlighted in Figure 3-4.
The development capacity analysis of the Plan Area
is described below:
■ Housing. The community and Steering
Committee desire a shift in the ratio of
single-family housing to multi-family housing
from the residential land uses identified in
the General Plan for Southwest Fresno. The
Plan shows a larger amount of single-family
housing compared to multi-family housing
when compared to the General Plan. The Plan’s
ratio is 72 percent single-family housing to
28 percent multi-family housing in the Plan
Area, while the ratio citywide is 62 percent
single-family housing to 38 percent “other”
units, including multi-family and attached
single-family housing.
■ Commercial. The amount of commercial
development in the Plan Area accounts for new
Corridor/Center Mixed-Use, Neighborhood
Mixed-Use, Regional Commercial, and
Community Commercial areas.
■ Employment. Employment areas consist of
purely Office land uses rather than a mix of
Office, Industrial, and Business Park uses.
■ Parks/Open Space. The amount of Parks/Open
Space accounts for new neighborhood parks
to serve complete neighborhoods and a larger
park adjacent to the community college to
support the MLK Activity Center magnet core.
■ Public Facilities. The amount of public facilities
accounts for new schools that would serve
complete neighborhoods, a future community
college in the MLK Activity Center magnet core,
and a public facility buffer between residential
neighborhoods and industrial uses south of
North Avenue.
Although the surrounding SOI is not a part of the
Plan Area, as a part of the visioning process, the
SOI’s land uses were considered since the General
Plan includes the SOI for its development capacity.
The surrounding SOI has a large amount of development potential because it is mostly undeveloped and therefore contains a large amount of opportunity sites. The Plan’s vision includes the following amount of development in the SOI: about 9,400
housing units, with approximately 80 percent of
those units as single-family housing and 20 percent
as multi-family housing; a moderate amount of
commercial space at about 840,000 commercial
building square feet; a high amount of employment
space at about 3.9 million employment building
square feet; a moderate amount of parks/open
space; and a moderate amount of public facilities
space.
Chapter 3 | Land Use 3-11
WEST AVE
CRYSTAL AVE
C ALIFORNIA CT TEILMAN AVE
JENSEN AVE VAGEDESAVE ATCHISON ST
OLEANDER AVE
ARTHUR AVE
KEARNEY BLVD
HOLLY AVE
CLARA AVE
WOODWARD AVE
LEAD AVE
LILY AVE
BLOSSER AVE
GEORGEAVE
ILA AVE
CALWA AVE
LORENA AVE
KNIGHT AVE
CHURCH RD
DUNN AVE
BELG RAVIAAVE
DELNOAVE
DANRONQUILLO DR
HAWESAVE
MYERS AVE
GEARY ST
VALENCIA AVE
EDEN AVE
BYRD AVE
KAVILAND AVE
GROVE AVE
GARRETT AVE
FLORENCEAVE
TE ILMAN I C R
PLEASANT AVE
VINE AVE
DOROTHY AVE
LAFAYETTE AVE
SAMSON AVE
FRUIT AVE
WEST AVE
FRUIT AVE
THORNE AVE
BARDELL ST
LA SIERRADR
ELM AVE
KIRK ST
NORTH AVE
ANNADALE AVE
ALMY AVE
ROY AVE
ROEDING DR
TULARE S
G
T
ST
PLUMAS ST
PICKFORD AVE
MERCED ST
R ST
NICHOLAS AVE
C ST
MONTE
TUOLUMNE ST
A ST
STANISLAUS ST
M ST
CALAVERAS ST
BROADWAY PLZ
VENTURA ST
BELGRAVIA AVE
H ST
AMADOR ST
E ST
WATERMAN AVE
MAYOR AVE
KLETTE AVE
MARIPOSA ST
JONES AVE
IRWIN AVE
KERN ST
INYO ST
MONO ST
SANTACLARA ST
STROTHER AVE
IVY AVE
O ST
FAIRVIEW AVE
B ST
EL DORADO ST
CHERRY AVE
FULTON MALL
TUPMAN ST
CAPITOL ST
LEMON AVE
ONEILAVE
GENEVA AVE
SAN JOAQUIN ST
CHINA ALY F ST
EUNICE AVE
HOME RUN ALY
L ST
COLLINS AVE
A/B ALY
FAGAN ALY
Q ST
WELLER ST
POPPY AVE
LOTUS AVE
AIRPORT RD
WALNUT AVE
VAN NESS AVE
TRINITY ST
MODOC ST
CHANNINGWAY
FULTON ST
FRESNO ST POTTLE AVE
MARTIN AVE
MAUD AVE
P ST
N ST
CHANDLER AVE LEE AVE
ROSE AVE
MADDY DR
BROADWAY
STEPHENS AVE
FARRIS AVE
MARKS AVE
CHURCH AVE
JENSEN AVE
VALENTINE AVE
MADISON AVE
FIG AVENUE MLK JR. BLVD
HUGHES AVE
BRAWLEY AVE
CENTRAL AVE
ANNADALE AVE
NORTH AVE
MARKS AVE
CALIFORNIA AVE
WHITES BRIDGE AVE
Plan Area
Sphere of Influence
Opportunity Sites
City Limit
Existing Development
0 0.25mi 0.25mi
FIGURE 3-4 Opportunity Sites in the Plan Area and Existing Development 41 180
99 41
180
Source: City of Fresno
FIGURE 3-4 Opportunity Sites in the Plan Area and Existing Development 3-12 Southwest Fresno Specific Plan | Adopted on October 26, 2017 D. GOALS AND POLICIES
The following goals and related policies support
the framework for the development of the Plan’s
land uses and urban form, implementing the Plan’s
vision as described in Chapter 2. The Plan’s goals
and polices are intended to work in tandem with
and refine those of the General Plan.
Goal LU-1 Establish Southwest Fresno as an
attractive and desirable community through the creation of activity centers that provide a variety of
housing types and a compatible
mix of non-residential uses such
as retail, services, jobs, and recreation uses to Southwest Fresno residents and visitors.
Policy LU-1.1 Establish two magnet cores – a
southern magnet core at the MLK
Activity Center and a northern
magnet core at Marks and Whites
Bridge Avenues – that attract a
significant amount of new development and accommodate regional retail stores, educational and/or
medical facilities, and a range of
housing types.
Policy LU-1.2 Following the Fresno General Plan
amendment to approve the Plan
Area’s proposed land uses, amend
the Fresno General Plan to approve
the proposed land uses located
outside of the Plan Area and in
the SOI as shown in the Vision for
Southwest Fresno for the purposes
of future annexation.
Goal LU-2 Revitalize existing key corridors in
Southwest Fresno, building off the
existing character and potential of
the streets, to strengthen neighborhood identity and appeal, attract new development, and
to connect neighborhoods and
magnets.
Policy LU-2.1 Capitalize on the Downtown HighSpeed Rail (HSR) station, Fresno Area Express (FAX) transit hub,
and future Bus Rapid Transit (BRT)
lines to promote transit-oriented
development along corridors.
Policy LU-2.2 Improve the visual appeal of
corridors through streetscape
improvements, new development,
and the renovation of existing
development.
Policy LU-2.3 Attract and encourage regionalserving, big box retail, housing and park uses along Whites Bridge
Avenue to support a Regional Retail
Corridor.
Policy LU-2.4 Attract and encourage low-density
residential development with
enhanced design and landscaping
standards along Kearney Boulevard
to support a Historic Corridor,
while preserving the corridor’s
scenic quality.
Policy LU-2.5 Attract and encourage higher-density mixed use development along California Avenue, connecting to
Downtown Fresno, FAX, and HSR
with a future BRT line, to support a
Mixed-Use Corridor.
Policy LU-2.6 Attract and encourage office uses
along Jensen Avenue, connecting
the magnet core west of MLK Jr.
Boulevard to Highway 41, in order
to support a Jobs Corridor.
Policy LU-2.7 Attract and encourage lowerdensity mixed use, commercial, and office uses along Elm Avenue
to support a Mixed-Use and Jobs
Corridor with the potential of a
future BRT line to connect the
southern portion of the Specific
Plan Area to Downtown.
Chapter 3 | Land Use 3-13
Goal LU-3 Create a diversity of new complete neighborhoods that are safe, healthy, self-sufficient,
walkable, and interconnected
and strengthen existing neighborhoods so that they become a complete neighborhood.
Policy LU-3.1 Encourage the development of
centers, or nodes, within walking
and biking distance of residents
and surrounded by residences.
Nodes should consist of a park, a
school, and quality neighborhood
retail and services.
Policy LU-3.2 Encourage complete neighborhoods to be located at the intersections of major streets for
easy access and high visibility,
while ensuring safe ingress and
egress (e.g., use of frontage roads).
For existing neighborhoods, nodes
should be created or strengthened
with additional uses such as retail
and/or parks. For potential new
neighborhoods, nodes should be
sited at a location accessible to
both nearby residents in the new
neighborhood and visitors from
outside the neighborhood.
Policy LU-3.3 Implement Crime Prevention
Through Environmental Design
(CPTED) principles and strategies in
new residential, commercial, and
open space development to help
provide better safety and security.
Goal LU-4 Maintain the use and character
of existing residential neighborhoods, while improving the quality of housing and encouraging homeownership, and remediate
Southwest Fresno’s blighting
conditions to improve the community’s image, attract private investment, and create a pleasant
living environment.
Policy LU-4.1 Encourage programs that allow
Southwest Fresno residents to
become homeowners.
Policy LU-4.2 Preserve the residential nature of
existing residential neighborhoods
in the Plan Area.
Policy LU-4.3 Encourage programs that help
fund the rehabilitation of old and
deteriorating single-family and
multi-family housing stock targeting the most blighted properties and areas.
Policy LU-4.4 Ensure minimum quality standards
for rental housing and require all
rental properties to comply with
the City’s Rental Housing Improvement Act.
Policy LU-4.5 Create design standards that
promote high-quality, aestheticallyattractive, and architecturally-consistent building design for building improvements.
Policy LU-4.6 Encourage prioritization of infill
development within existing neighborhoods above new development in undeveloped areas.
Policy LU-4.7 Promote and adhere to the City’s
code enforcement program that
requires property owners to clean
up visible blight, register vacant
properties, and adhere to City
codes.
Policy LU-4.8 Establish an anti-displacement
strategy and an anti-displacement
and relocation program to minimize and avoid the displacement of existing residents outside of the
Plan Area caused by new development.
3-14 Southwest Fresno Specific Plan | Adopted on October 26, 2017 Goal LU-5 Provide a diverse range of housing types in Southwest Fresno, preserving Southwest Fresno’s
character as a primarily singlefamily residential community while providing higher-density
housing in high activity areas.
Policy LU-5.1 Encourage new residential
development to be primarily
single-family residences, especially
in areas outside of magnet cores
and corridors.
Policy LU-5.2 Encourage new multi-family
condominiums and apartments to
be located in various contexts such
as close to neighborhood nodes,
near magnet cores, and along
corridors so that higher-density
housing is not concentrated in a
single location within Southwest
Fresno.
Policy LU-5.3 Create affordable new single-family
housing through the provision of
smaller housing types on smaller
lots.
Goal LU-6 Provide opportunities for quality
retail shopping at regional and
neighborhood levels.
Policy LU-6.1 Attract and encourage larger
regional retail development at key
locations that have good proximity,
visibility, and access from the
greatest number of people and
neighborhood stores in neighborhood nodes and along corridors.
Key locations include within the
Regional Retail magnet core and
College magnet core, which is also
known as the MLK Activity Center.
Policy LU-6.2 Discourage the expansion and/or
development of potentially controversial retail uses such as pay day loans and liquor stores.
Policy LU-6.3 Increase access to fresh, affordable, and nutritious food sources with an emphasis on attracting
and encouraging small and large
food retailers such as grocery
stores, farmers’ markets, nutrition
programs, community gardens,
and food stands to provide fresh,
affordable, and nutritious foods.
Policy LU-6.4 Encourage projects and programs
to partner with local schools to
increase healthy food choices for
residents.
Goal LU-7 Promote Southwest Fresno as an
employment center with a mix of
employment opportunities and
types for residents and commuters.
Policy LU-7.1 Promote a substantial increase in
office uses to provide an environment that fosters and serves the community’s business and professional needs.
Policy LU-7.2 Encourage large-scale office
and institutional uses, including
educational facilities, and medical
facilities, to be located where
vehicles and transit have access,
and where they will attract other
similar uses.
Policy LU-7.3 Encourage smaller scale employment uses such as professional offices to be located in more remote locations and along corridors.
Chapter 3 | Land Use 3-15
Goal LU-8 Address and mitigate West
Fresno’s top ranking as most
burdened by multiple sources of
pollution by protecting the health
and wellness of Southwest Fresno
residents through regulating and
reducing the negative impacts of
industrial businesses and other
sources of pollution.
Policy LU-8.1 Plan and zone employment areas
in Southwest Fresno for nonindustrial businesses. All previously designated Light Industrial, Heavy
Industrial, Business Park, and
Regional Business Park land uses
should be planned and zoned
Office.
Policy LU-8.2 Prioritize the “Reverse Triangle,”
bounded by Jensen Avenue,
Central Avenue, Highway 41, and
Highway 99, as the City’s targeted
area for new industrial development.
Policy LU-8.3 When 85 percent of the “Reverse
Triangle,” bounded by Jensen Avenue, Central Avenue, Highway 41, and Highway 99, is developed with
Heavy Industrial uses designate
parcels along the east side of Elm
Avenue south of North Avenue for
future Light Industrial uses, mixed
with the Plan’s planned Office uses.
Policy LU-8.4 In collaboration with the appropriate local, State, and/or federal agency, regularly enforce
and evaluate performance and
performance standards on the
operation of existing industrial
activity related to air quality, odor,
noise, and vibration in order
to maintain compatibility with
adjacent neighborhoods and uses.
Policy LU-8.5 Assess the compatibility of Industrial and heavy commercial land uses with existing neighborhoods
through the completion of the
Industrial Land Use Compatibility
Study. The study should identify
and adopt long-term solutions
to address the findings from the assessment. Options should include greening strategies, relocation,
and amortization. As a part of the
planning process for the study, the
City should work with the County,
community, and stakeholders, such
as business owners, to relocate
truck routes away from neighborhoods to the extent possible. The targeted completion date of the
study is January 2019.
Policy LU-8.6 Restrict residential development
on or near toxic and/or hazardous
sites without proper evaluation
and mitigation as required by the
California Environmental Quality
Act (CEQA).
Policy LU-8.7 Provide transparency and create a
forum between government staff,
government and elected officials,
community members, business
owners, and other stakeholders
regarding existing and proposed
industrial operations.
Goal LU-9 Locate higher intensity development in magnet cores and along corridors to support a vibrant and
pedestrian-friendly atmosphere.
Policy LU-9.1 Create active street frontages by
providing wide sidewalks with
pedestrian-scaled streetscape
amenities and orienting building
entrances toward the street.
Policy LU-9.2 Encourage parking to be consolidated into parking structures and discourage large areas to be
dominated by surface parking
visible from the street. Screen
parking lots with buildings and/or
vegetation and tree planning.
3-16 Southwest Fresno Specific Plan | Adopted on October 26, 2017 Policy LU-9.3 Design storefronts and street
elevations to be inviting, interesting, and varied, especially at the ground level.
Goal LU-10 Encourage development within
complete neighborhoods to be
convenient for residents and enhance a sense of community.
Policy LU-10.1 Provide a walkable environment
within neighborhoods by slowing
down traffic, providing wide
sidewalks with drought-tolerant
vegetation and street trees, and
creating an interconnected pedestrian network.
Policy LU-10.2 Encourage buildings within
neighborhoods to be compatible in
scale with surrounding residential
development.
Goal LU-11 Promote sustainable, or “green”,
building standards for new development to help improve the overall air quality within the Plan
Area. Green building standards
reduce greenhouse gas emissions
and energy and water consumption from buildings, promoting environmentally responsible,
cost-effective, and healthier
places to live and work.
Policy LU-11.1 Encourage compliance with voluntary residential and non-residential California Green Building Code
(CALGreen) standards through
CALGreen incentive programs.
Chapter 4 | Development Regulations 4-1
DEVELOPMENT
REGULATIONS
A. INTRODUCTION
This chapter describes the proposed regulations
and standards for new development to achieve
the Southwest Fresno Specific Plan (the Plan)’s
guiding principles (described in Chapter 2,
Vision) and land use policies in Chapter 3, Land
Use. Throughout the planning process, the
Southwest Fresno community provided guidance
on the type of development they desired. These
regulations support that vision. This chapter first
describes the allowable land uses in each zoning
district.
In addition to the use regulations, two overlays
are identified to ensure compatibility with the
Plan’s vision and existing conditions. To support
the development of special corridors, two active
magnet cores, and new complete neighborhoods, the chapter outlines their objectives.
Projects that strive to meet these guidelines will
be favorably received during the application and
permit process. Last, the chapter addresses ways
to prevent crime using four key principles of
environmental design.
The Chapter is organized into the following
sections:
A. Introduction
B. Use Regulations
C. Kearney Boulevard Historic Corridor
Overlay
D. California Mixed-Use Corridor Overlay
E. Objectives for Special Corridors, Magnet
Cores, and Complete Neighborhoods
F. Crime Prevention Through
Environmental Design
4 4-2 Southwest Fresno Specific Plan | Adopted on October 26, 2017
RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS
The Plan Area includes the following residential
zoning base districts (as shown in Figure 4-1):
■ Residential Single-Family, Low Density (RS-3)
■ Residential Single-Family, Medium Low
Density (RS-4)
■ Residential Single-Family, Medium Density
(RS-5)
■ Residential Multi-Family, Medium High
Density (RM-1)
■ Residential Multi-Family, Urban Neighborhood (RM-2)
The previous chapter described the land uses
allowed in each of these zones, as well as
the character within each district. The zoning
requirements for the RS-3, RS-4, and RS-5
districts are addressed in Article 9 - Residential
Single-Family Districts of the Citywide Development Code. The RM-1 and RM-2 districts are addressed in Article 10 - Residential Multi-Family
Districts. The Plan is recommending that some
additional uses be allowed in certain zone
districts. Implementation of these revisions could
occur as part of a future text amendment to the
Development Code. The City should consider
Citywide zoning amendments to accommodate
the changes in the future as part of a separate
process after the Plan’s adoption. They are
described as follows.
B. USE REGULATIONS
The following section describes the various
zoning base districts that fall within the Plan
Area and specifies what types of land uses are
permitted in specific base districts, and which
land uses are considered “conditional,” that is,
only allowed if they follow a more specific set of
rules. The Citywide Use Regulation categories are
as follows:
■ Permitted Uses. Those uses permitted in the
base district, subject to the limitations and
conditions set forth therein.
■ Uses Subject to a Conditional Use Permit.
Those uses permitted in the base district,
subject to the limitations and conditions set
forth therein.
■ Uses Not Permitted. The uses expressly
prohibited by the provisions of the base
district.
The Use Regulations in this chapter follow the
Citywide Development Code’s base districts
categories and, unless otherwise specified, are
unchanged.
Single-family housing. Multifamily housing.
Chapter 4 | Development Regulations 4-3
Medium-high Density Residential (RM-1)
The Specific Plan zoning for Medium-high Density Residential use regulations differs from the base zoning in the Citywide Development Code
in regard to Corner Commercial. Per the Citywide
Development Code, the purpose of Corner
Commercial is to “allow for the development of
small-scale, neighborhood-serving commercial
establishments that can provide convenient,
walkable access to important amenities and that
can increase the sense of community and value
to the surrounding neighborhood.” It is currently
Not Permitted in the Medium-High Density
Residential district; the Specific Plan recommends Corner Commercial shall be a Conditional Use if it meets the following requirements:
■ Not on a local street
■ Sales area is 1,500 square feet or less
■ Provides fresh fruits and vegetables
■ Does not provide alcohol
Urban Neighborhood Residential (RM-2)
The Specific Plan zoning for Urban Neighborhood
Residential use regulations differs from the base
zoning in the Citywide Development Code in
regard to Corner Commercial. It is currently Not
Permitted in the Urban Neighborhood Residential district; the Specific Plan recommends Corner Commercial shall be a Conditional Use if it meets
the following requirements:
■ Not on a local street
■ Sales area is 1,500 square feet or less
■ Provides fresh fruits and vegetables
■ Does not provide alcohol
MIXED-USE DISTRICTS
The Specific Plan Area includes the following
mixed-use districts (as shown in Figure 4-1):
■ Neighborhood Mixed-Use (NMX)
■ Corridor/Center Mixed-Use (CMX)
The previous chapter described the land uses allowed in these two zones, as well as the character within each district. These mixed-use districts are addressed in Article 11 of the Citywide
Zoning Code. However, there is one change to
the use regulations in the Citywide Development
Code in the Plan Area described as follows.
Corridor/Center Mixed-Use (CMX)
Specific Plan zoning for Corridor/Center Mixeduse use regulations differs from the base zoning in the Citywide Development Code in regard to
Elderly and Long-term Care. The Citywide Development Code defines Elderly and Long-term Care as “establishments that provide 24-hour medical,
convalescent, or chronic care to individuals who,
by reason of advanced age, chronic illness, or
infirmity, are unable to care for themselves, and
is licensed as a skilled nursing facility by the
State of California, including, but not limited
to, rest homes and convalescent hospitals, but
not Residential Care, Hospitals, or Clinics.” It is
currently Not Permitted in the Corridor/Center
Mixed-use district; the Specific Plan recommends
Elderly and Long-term Care be a Conditional use.
COMMERCIAL DISTRICTS
The Specific Plan Area includes the following
commercial districts (as shown in Figure 4-1):
■ Commercial − Community (CC)
■ Commercial − Regional (CR)
The previous chapter described the land uses
allowed in these two zones, as well as the
character within each district. These commercial
districts are addressed in Article 12 of the
Citywide Development Code.
4-4 Southwest Fresno Specific Plan | Adopted on October 26, 2017
EMPLOYMENT DISTRICTS
The Specific Plan Area includes the Office (O)
employment zoning district (as shown in Figure
4-1). However, the Sphere of Influence (SOI)
outside the Plan Area includes the following
“specific limitations” to the employment zoning
district, designated as:
■ Office Restricted (O-No Auto)
■ Office* (O*)
The Office district is addressed in Article 13. The
previous chapter described the land uses allowed
in the Office district and the specific limitations
of Office Restricted within the SOI, (shown in
Figure 3-1). However, there are some changes to
the use regulations in the Citywide Development
Code in the SOI. They are described as follows.
Office Restricted (O-No Auto) Overlay
A number of parcels along the south side of
Jensen Avenue in the SOI have been identified as
Office-No Auto. The Specific Plan recommends
that a future amendment be considered to
create an Office Restricted Overlay to be
applied to specific Office parcels that restrict
auto uses. The parcels designated as Office
Restricted (O-No Auto) are identical to the Office
zone, however have the following “specific
limitations”: Automobile/Vehicle Sales and
USE CLASSIFICATIONS BASE ZONING SPECIFIC PLAN ZONING
Automobile Rentals Permitted Not Permitted
Automobile/Vehicle Repair,
Major Permitted Not Permitted
Automobile/Vehicle Repair,
Minor Permitted Not Permitted
Large Vehicle and Equipment
Sales, Service and Rental Permitted Not Permitted
Service Station Permitted Not Permitted
Veterinary Services Conditional Permitted if indoor only Healthy Food Grocer Conditional Permitted
TABLE 4-1 Office Restricted (O-No Auto) Use Regulations in the Specific Plan vs. Base Zoning Services are prohibited. Table 4-1 indicates
“special limitations” for Office Restricted use
classifications that differ from the base zoning in
the Citywide Development Code.
Office* (O*)
The Office* zoning district refers to parcels
within the SOI zoned as Office, located south of
North Avenue and west of Highway 41, and shall
allow office and light industrial uses only after 85
percent of the land in Fresno’s “Reverse Triangle”
area is occupied with heavy industrial uses. Until
then, the requirements described in the Office
section above apply.
PUBLIC AND SEMI-PUBLIC DISTRICTS
The Specific Plan Area includes the following
public zoning districts:
■ Open Space (OS)
■ Parks and Recreation (PR)
■ Public and Institutional (PI)
The previous chapter described the land uses
allowed in the Open Space, Parks and Recreation,
and Public and Institutional districts, as well as
the desired character in each. The Public and
Semi-public districts are addressed in Article 14.
Chapter 4 | Development Regulations 4-5
C. KEARNEY BOULEVARD
HISTORIC CORRIDOR
OVERLAY
Kearney Boulevard has been described as one
of the most “striking drives in all of California.”1
The Kearney Boulevard Gateway (east of the Plan
Area) marks the entrance to this notably historic
corridor, and is recognized on the Local Register
of Historic Resources. The Boulevard runs for 1.7
miles through the Plan Area where it is categorized as a Scenic Collector in the General Plan; it continues west and makes a dramatic s-curve in
the SOI; here it is categorized as a Scenic Drive.
PURPOSE
In order to preserve and enhance Kearney
Boulevard’s historic character, it requires an
historic corridor overlay to ensure new residential development and streetscape treatment is respectful of its character (see Figure 4-1).
When developed in 1900, the boulevard was
planted with 50,000 eucalyptus and palm trees
and oleander shrubs, many of which continue
to define the corridor today. New development
should respond to the scale of existing residential
development along Kearney Boulevard. Large,
single-family houses, duplexes, or triplexes are
encouraged. Frontages facing Kearney Boulevard
must be well-designed and use quality building
materials.
USES
The Kearney Boulevard Historic Corridor Overlay
includes the following abutting land uses (base
zoning):
■ Medium-high Density Residential (RM-1)
■ Medium-low Density Residential (RS-4)
■ Low Density Residential (RS-3)
■ Open Space (OS)
1 Historic Spots in California: Fifth Edition
Looking down the Historic Kearney Boulevard lined with
oleander bushes, palm trees, and eucalyptus trees (in
the distance).
The impressive tree-lined boulevard can be seen from a
distance.
Single-family housing lines the frontage roads in the
developed areas.
4-6 Southwest Fresno Specific Plan | Adopted on October 26, 2017
DEVELOPMENT AND DESIGN
STANDARDS
All development shall respect Kearney Boulevard’s status as a Historic Resource on the Local Register and as an eligible candidate for
the National Register of Historic Places and in
so doing shall follow any guidelines or requirements set forth by those registers. The following Development Standards apply to development
within 100 feet of the property line along Kearney Boulevard in the Historic Corridor. ■ Street Trees and Landscaping. In keeping
with the historic character, the existing palm
trees shall remain unless they are causing a
health or safety threat. New development
shall plant new palm trees, eucalyptus
trees, and oleander bushes along Kearney
Boulevard in keeping with the historic
tree pattern to fill in gaps when trees and
landscaping are missing along front property
lines. Eucalyptus trees are not exempt from
the Tree Removal Permit along this corridor.
■ Frontage Road Configuration. All
development shall continue the historic
configuration of the boulevard with frontage
roads on either side separated by planted
side medians.
■ Building Orientation. All new buildings shall
be oriented toward the Historic Corridor
The residential neighborhoods along Historic Kearney Boulevard’s frontage roads are defined by street trees, front setbacks, and large ranch-style single-family homes facing the boulevard.
The boulevard’s right-of-way includes frontage roads
even in undeveloped areas.
with front doors facing it.
■ Front Setback. All new buildings shall match
the existing front setback of neighboring
properties. If neighboring properties’
permitted front setbacks vary, new building
shall match the setback of the majority of
buildings on the block.
■ Walls and Fences. Front fences shall be a
maximum of 3 feet in height and shall be
either: 1) made of wrought iron or tubular
steel and open a minimum of 80 percent
(e.g., no more than 20 percent opaque) to
allow for the passage of light and air; or 2)
a picket fence made of wood and open a
minimum of 50 percent (e.g., no more than
50 percent opaque). Walls and fences that do
not meet this description are not permitted
within the required front yard setback.
Chapter 4 | Development Regulations 4-7
41 41
180
99 99
REGIONAL
RETAIL MAGNET
REGIONAL
RETAIL CORRIDOR
KEARNEY
BOULEVARD
HISTORIC
CORRIDOR
OVERLAY
CALIFORNIA AVE
MIXED-USE
CORRIDOR
OVERLAY
COMMUNITY
COLLEGE MAGNET
JOBS
CORRIDOR
MIXED-USE/
JOBS
CORRIDOR
NMX
NMX
O
O
O
O
R O
G
CMX
CMX CMX
C C
C
PB
PB
PB
PB
PB PBP PB
PB
PB
P
CP
CP
NP
NP
NP
NP
RP
A
PG&E
HOSP
E
M
PB
PB
C
E
R C
NP*
NP*
E
C
NP
NP
E
M
NC
WR
NC
PBP
PF
PF
PF
NMX
C C
CP
R
CZ
CMX
CMX
E
NMX
PF
OS OS
WEST AVE
CRYSTAL AVE
C ALIFORNIA CT TEILMAN AVE
JENSEN AVE VAGEDESAVE ATCHISON ST
OLEANDER AVE
ARTHUR AVE
KEARNEY BLVD
NIELSEN AVE
HOLLY AVE
CLARA AVE
WOODWARD AVE
LEAD AVE
LILY AVE
BLOSSER AVE
GEORGEAVE
ILA AVE
CALWA AVE
LORENA AVE
KNIGHT AVE
DUNN AVE
BELG RAVIAAVE
DELNOAVE
HAWESAVE
MYERS AVE
GEARY ST
VALENCIA AVE
EDEN AVE
BYRD AVE
KAVILAND AVE
GROVE AVE
GARRETT AVE
FLORENCEAVE
TE ILMAN I C R
PLEASANT AVE
VINE AVE
DOROTHY AVE
LAFAYETTE AVE
SAMSON AVE
FRUIT AVE
THORNE AVE
BARDELL ST
LA SIERRADR
ELM AVE
KIRK ST
NORTH AVE
ANNADALE AVE
ALMY AVE
ROY AVE
ROEDING DR
TULARE S
G
T
ST
PLUMAS ST
PICKFORD AVE
DIVISADERO ST
MERCED ST
R ST
LOS ANGELES ST
NICHOLAS AVE
C ST
MONTEREYST
BRALY AVE
TUOLUMNE ST
A ST
SAN BENITO ST
STANISLAUS ST
WOODWARD AVE
M ST
CALAVERAS ST
BROADWAY PLZ
VENTURA ST
RAILROAD AVE
MARIPOSA ST
SANTA FE AVE
PARKWAY DR
ROOSEVELT AVE
ANNA ST
BLACKSTONE AVE BELGRAVIA AVE
ILLINOIS AVE
GRANT AVE
H ST
AMADOR ST
E ST
WATERMAN AVE
MAYOR AVE
U ST
KLETTE AVE
MARIPOSA ST
JONES AVE
IRWIN AVE
KERN ST
INYO ST
MONO ST
SANTACLARA ST
STROTHER AVE
IVY AVE
O ST
FAIRVIEW AVE
B ST
ARTHUR AVE
FRUIT AVE
EL DORADO ST
CHERRY AVE
PACIFIC AVE
FULTON MALL
TUPMAN ST
CAPITOL ST
T ST
LEMON AVE
ONEILAVE
GENEVA AVE
SAN JOAQUIN ST
CHINA ALY F ST
EUNICE AVE
HOME RUN ALY
L ST
COLLINS AVE
S ST
A/B ALY
FAGAN ALY
Q ST
WELLER ST
FERGER AVE
POPPY AVE
HUMBOLDT AVE
WAYTE LN
NAPA AVE
LOTUS AVE
FERGER/PALM ALY
EDGAR AVE
AIRPORT RD
GOLDEN STATE BLVD
WALNUT AVE
VAN NESS AVE
TRINITY ST
MODOC ST
CHANNINGWAY
FULTON ST
FRESNO ST POTTLE AVE
ECHO AVE
MARTIN AVE
MAUD AVE
P ST
N ST
CHANDLER AVE LEE AVE
ROSE AVE
MADDY DR
PALM AVE
OC LL GE E V/ ANNESSALY
SARAH ST
GLENN/SAN PABLO ALY
BROADWAY
STEPHENS AVE
FARRIS AVE
MARKS AVE
JENSEN AVE
CHURCH AVE
VALENTINE AVE
MADISON AVE
KEARNEY BLVD
WALNUT AVE
FRUIT AVE
ELM AVE
HUGHES AVE
WEST AVE
BRAWLEY AVE
VALENTINE AVE
BRAWLEY AVE
CENTRAL AVE
ANNADALE AVE
NORTH AVE
MARKS AVE
CALIFORNIA AVE
WHITES BRIDGE AVE
MLK JR. BLVD FIG AVE
0 0.25mi 0.25mi
FIGURE 4-1 Land Uses with Overlays, Special Corridors, Magnet Cores, & Neighborhood Nodes Overlay 100 feet from the
Property Line along Corridor
Street
RESIDENTIAL
EMPLOYMENT MIXED-USE OPEN SPACE
PUBLIC FACILITIES
COMMERCIAL
O Office P Park
CZ Clear Zone
NP Neighborhood Park
CP Community Park
RP Regional Park
PB Ponding Basin
PBP Ponding Basin Park
Neighborhood Park* NP*
CMX Corridor/Center Mixed-Use
NMX Neighborhood Mixed-Use C College
E Elementary School
PF Public Facility
M Middle School
A Airport
HOSP Hospital
NC Neighborhood Center
PG&E PG&E Station
Water Recharge
Basin
WR
R Regional
C Community
*The exact location of the parks within the
Mission Ranch development will be
determined in a future planning process.
Medium Density (5 - 12 du/ac)
Medium-high Density (12 - 16 du/ac)
Urban Neighborhood (16 - 30 du/ac)
Medium-low Density (3.5 - 6 du/ac)
Low Density (1 - 3.5 du/ac)
Plan Area City Limit Sphere of Influence
G General
OS Open Space
¼-mile from Complete
Neighborhood Nodes
Magnet Core Area
Special Corridors
Source: City of Fresno
FIGURE 4-1 Land Uses with Overlays, Special Corridors, Magnet Cores, & Neighborhood Nodes 4-8 Southwest Fresno Specific Plan | Adopted on October 26, 2017 Wide sidewalks, pedestrian-scaled lighting, and varied
storefronts and building entries activate mixed-use streets.
Multifamily residential facing the street.
D. CALIFORNIA AVENUE
MIXED-USE CORRIDOR
OVERLAY
PURPOSE
California Avenue runs east-west through the
Plan Area connecting to Downtown Fresno.
The mixed-use corridor overlay is intended to
encourage a mix of uses along the bus rapid
transit (BRT) corridor. As a transit corridor, it
shall be developed with active uses that provide
jobs and services; development shall create a
pleasant walkable environment so people using
transit can easily get from place to place.
USES
The California Avenue Mixed-Use Corridor
Overlay includes the following abutting land uses
(base zoning):
Corridor/Center Mixed-Use (CMX)
■ Urban Neighborhood Residential (RM-2)
■ Medium Density Residential (RS-5)
■ Medium-low Density Residential (RS-4)
■ Public and Institutional (PI)
■ Parks and Recreation (PR)
DEVELOPMENT AND DESIGN
STANDARDS
■ Residential Building Orientation. Where
new residential uses are built along the
corridor, residences shall face the corridor.
■ Walls. Walls are not permitted within the
required front yard setback nor between
residential uses and California Avenue.
Single-family residential facing the street without walls.
Chapter 4 | Development Regulations 4-9
E. OBJECTIVES FOR
SPECIAL CORRIDORS,
MAGNET CORES,
AND COMPLETE
NEIGHBORHOODS
As Southwest Fresno grows and introduces
more types of development into the area,
regulating its urban form will be an important
aspect to ensuring quality development that
fosters a vibrant, convenient, safe, and healthy
environment. Urban form is the term used to
describe the design and character of an urban
environment; urban form is governed by development standards in the Citywide Development Code, including standards for building heights,
spacing between buildings, whether they face
the street or a parking lot, and how many doors
and windows they have. Chapter 2, the Vision
Chapter, introduced how the Plan Area will be
developed around corridors, magnet cores, and
complete neighborhoods. The following sections
describe the objectives of these areas in more
detail. These objectives are conceptual and are
not standards or requirements.
The Complete Street Guidelines in Chapter 5
illustrate the necessary streetscape improvements to enhance the public realm of these corridors, magnet cores, and complete neighborhood nodes, including sidewalks, crossings, bicycle facilities, transit, streetscape amenities,
and green infrastructure. All public right-of-way
guidelines are addressed in Chapter 5.
CORRIDORS
In addition to the Kearney Boulevard Historic
Corridor Overlay and the California Boulevard
Mixed-Use Overlay, three special corridors were
identified as key streets with their own distinct
character in the Vision for Southwest Fresno
(Chapter 2). They are lined with higher, more
concentrated development types and/or have
multimodal improvements such as pedestrian,
bicycle, and transit facilities. The urban form
along these special corridors will be defined by
the area’s most intensive and tallest developments, especially in areas with mixed-use buildings. Development along these special corridors will be compact to create a dynamic, transit- and
pedestrian-friendly atmosphere. Buildings and
their main entrances will be oriented towards the
street.
Each corridor’s objective is described in the
following sections; their locations are noted in
Figure 4-1.
Each corridor shall be prioritized as a complete
street, as described in Chapter 5’s Complete
Streets Design Guidelines section.
New, high-quality development will have a variety of stores, architectural features, landscaping, and lighting. 4-10 Southwest Fresno Specific Plan | Adopted on October 26, 2017 Regional Retail Corridor Objective
The Regional Retail Corridor is located along
Whites Bridge Avenue for almost the entire
length of the Plan Area, starting five parcels
east of Valentine Avenue and ending at Roeding
Drive. It is the area with the greatest opportunity to create a regional retail center given its proximity to the Highway 180 and Marks Avenue
interchange. Because it will be a regional draw,
the Regional Retail Corridor will accommodate
regional traffic and be well-signed. Given the
anticipated housing and office along the corridor,
the uses along the corridor will be developed to
provide easy pedestrian access between developments and to the public right-of-way.
Mixed-Use/Jobs Corridor Objective
A Mixed-Use/Jobs Corridor along Elm Avenue
running north-south through the Plan Area from
Downtown Fresno is intended to encourage a
lively mix of uses with an emphasis on employment uses. The Mixed-Use/Jobs Corridor Elm Avenue will benefit from a future BRT line or
enhanced transit service connecting Downtown
to the southern portion of the Plan Area, and
California Avenue BRT along the way, as well as
the existing Class II bike lanes along the corridor. Development will create an environment that invites pedestrian activity. In areas where
residential uses are in close proximity to commercial uses, development will be designed to be compatible.
Jobs Corridors Objective
A Jobs Corridors is identified as an employment
focus area along Jensen Avenue throughout the
Plan Area, connecting the heart of Southwest
Fresno to Highway 41. These corridors will be
Southwest Fresno’s employment areas and will
be home to office uses, services, and non-industrial employers. Development will include Class I bike paths, as described in Chapter 5’s section on
Bicycles & Trails, to allow people to bike to work
and access commercial services before and after
work.
An office complex wraps around an open space area
and includes amenities such as seating and pedestrianscaled lighting.
A mixed-use building with ground-floor retail facing
the street, bicycle parking, and upper story balconies
encourage pedestrian activity.
Landscaped shoping center parking lot with designated
pedestrian sidewalk and lighting.
Chapter 4 | Development Regulations 4-11
MAGNET CORES
As described in the Vision for Southwest Fresno
(Chapter 2), magnet cores are home to high
intensity uses that attract other supporting
higher intensity uses. There are two magnets
within the Plan Area: 1) A Regional Retail Magnet
Core is centered between Whites Bridge Avenue
and Highway 180; and 2) A Community College
Magnet Core is centered on the parcels between
Church Avenue, Walnut Avenue, Jensen Avenue,
and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard focused on
a college and associated mix of uses.
Regional Retail Magnet Core Objective
The Regional Retail Magnet Core is envisioned as
Southwest Fresno’s regional retail center. Taking
advantage of the proximity to the Whites Bridge
Avenue exit on Highway 180, this magnet core
will not only attract shoppers from Southwest
Fresno, but also regional shoppers via Highway
180. It is targeted for the highest concentration
of regional retail uses.
Community College Magnet Core
Objective
The Community College Magnet Core is
envisioned to be a hub of new activity in the
area of Southwest Fresno referred to as the
“MLK Activity Center.” The community has a
preference to see this area become a community
college campus with a mix of adjacent uses to
support it, including housing and commercial.
It could also be a hub for medical facilities or a
combination of compatible high-activity magnet
uses. This magnet core is envisioned to be similar
in character to the Mixed-Use Corridor because
of its mix of active land uses and pedestrian
environment. The new campus, whether it is
educational or medical, will be the heart of this
magnet. Like the special corridors, the urban
form around this magnet core will be defined by
the area’s most intensive and tallest developments. Development will be compact to create a dynamic, transit village atmosphere. Buildings
and their entrances will be oriented towards
the street or public open spaces and be complemented by a pedestrian-friendly atmosphere.
Shopping center with entryway, pedestrian plaza,
lighting, attractive materials, and signage.
A community college campus with central open space
linked to pedestrian pathways, academic buildings, and
the neighborhood.
Source: Atomic Taco
A medical campus with landscaping and quality
architectural features.
4-12 Southwest Fresno Specific Plan | Adopted on October 26, 2017 F. CRIME PREVENTION
THROUGH
ENVIRONMENTAL
DESIGN
Urban form impacts how people interact with
public spaces, affects their sense of safety and
security in the public realm, and encourages
or discourages how they get around, among
many other behaviors. As Southwest Fresno is
developed, streets, parks, and buildings should
be designed using the principles of Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED).
CPTED is a crime prevention philosophy based on
the theory that the proper design and effective
use of the built environment can lead to a reduction in the fear and incidence of crime, as well as an improvement in the quality of life. CPTED
is a process and a way of thinking about crime.
It is not a program or system of ready-made
solutions. CPTED emphasizes understanding and
changing the physical environment in an effort
to reduce crime at particular locations. CPTED is
effective because of the concept of “defensible
space”. This concept suggests that all space in
the human environment is defendable; a guardian can take responsibility for the space and take action to defend it from non-legitimate, criminal,
or unintended use. To help defend a location,
there are four overlapping CPTED strategies that
need to be employed: 1) Natural Surveillance,
2) Territorial Reinforcement, 3) Access Control,
and 4) Maintenance. The Citywide Development
Code enforces each of these strategies.
COMPLETE NEIGHBORHOODS
OBJECTIVE
Development further away from magnet cores
and corridors will consist of lower-intensity
complete neighborhoods. These complete neighborhoods will have housing, services, employment, and recreation all within walking distance.
Although smaller in scale, development at the
heart of each complete neighborhood will still be
compact to allow residents to reach commercial
services and public facilities in a walkable,
pedestrian-friendly environment. Rather than
large retail establishments, each neighborhood
will have small commercial establishments to
provide services to their community.
As Southwest Fresno transitions from its
agricultural and industrial roots, residential
neighborhoods will be designed in a manner that
supports health and wellness. It is essential to
develop complete neighborhoods that include an
efficient and diverse mix of residential densities,
building types, and affordability. The communities will be designed to be healthy, attractive, and centered by schools, parks, and public and
commercial services to provide a sense of place
and provide as many services as possible within
walking distance. At the heart of each neighborhood will be a cluster of commercial uses, parks, and schools located to serve the surrounding
residents. These neighborhood nodes located at
key intersections will be visible, accessible, and
inviting to passersby traveling on foot, bike, bus,
or private vehicle (see Figure 4-1).
Houses looking over a neighborhood park and
pedestrian crossings put more eyes on the public realm.
Neighborhood-serving retail with trees, landscaping,
lighting, small public plaza, and pedestrian zones will be in every complete neighborhood node.
Chapter 4 | Development Regulations 4-13
NATURAL SURVEILLANCE
Design buildings and open space so they are in
view of residents, workers, shoppers, and passersby. Putting more eyes on the street provides natural surveillance. Place physical features,
activities, and people in locations that maximize
the ability to see what is occurring in a given
space. Properly trim and maintain landscaping
to allow for visibility. Scale lighting for the
pedestrian environment. Site new fire and police
stations adjacent to parks, trails, and schools.
TERRITORIAL REINFORCEMENT
Design spaces that clearly define boundaries
and ownership. Define as public, private, or
semi-public/semi-private. Install low decorative
fencing around the semi-private outdoor patio of
a business. Install proper signage that communicates the ownership of a space and the rules of its use.
ACCESS CONTROL
Design physical controls to limit physical movement to and from a space; use strategic placement of entrances, exits, fencing, landscaping, locks, and other barriers. Design well-marked
pedestrian pathways through parking lots to give
direction to its users, and create a safer path of
travel by alerting drivers to pedestrian zones.
Place bollards near the entrance of a park to
prevent vehicle entry but allow pedestrian entry.
MAINTENANCE
Ensure the upkeep of an area or building over
time to demonstrate that someone cares about a
space, is watching, and will defend the property
against crime.
Outdoor dining, clear pedestrian zone, and well-kept
sidewalk signal that this area is looked after.
Pedestrian pathways through parking areas help people
feel safer walking to destinations.
Housing overlooking a neighborhood park can provide
natural surveillance.
4-14 Southwest Fresno Specific Plan | Adopted on October 26, 2017 Chapter 5 | Transportation 5-1
TRANSPORTATION
A. INTRODUCTION
Since Southwest Fresno has a relatively low level
of development, there is significant opportunity
for future transportation improvements. Currently,
Southwest Fresno’s patchwork pattern of development, with residential neighborhoods separated by vacant or agricultural lands, has created a
sporadic street infrastructure network. This has
led to disconnected neighborhoods in the Plan
Area and transportation inefficiencies. To increase
mobility within the Southwest Fresno Specific Plan
Area (Plan Area), transportation improvements for
various modes of travel are critical to improve the
convenience and facilitation of how people travel
within and beyond Southwest Fresno. Improvements to the transportation network will not only help bring existing Southwest Fresno neighborhoods up to par with the rest of the city, but will also serve future anticipated development and
residents in Southwest Fresno.
This chapter describes proposed improvements to
the transportation network in Southwest Fresno to
support all modes of travel, including transit, active
forms of transportation like walking and biking,
automobile, and goods movement. Considering all
modes of travel for Southwest Fresno will enable
a comprehensive and balanced network of streets
that thoughtfully considers traffic congestion,
greenhouse gas emissions, and the abilities of all
users of the transportation network.
The Chapter is organized into the following
sections:
A. Introduction
B. Transportation Improvements
C. Complete Streets Design Guidelines
D. Goals and Policies
5 5-2 Southwest Fresno Specific Plan | Adopted on October 26, 2017 Existing sidewalk with street trees.
Inconsistent sidewalks in a Southwest Fresno
neighborhood.
B. TRANSPORTATION
IMPROVEMENTS
This section describes the existing, planned, and
recommended improvements to the transportation
network in Southwest Fresno. Planned improvements are referenced from completed plans, including the Fresno General Plan (General Plan),
the Fresno Active Transportation Plan (ATP), and
the Highway 41 + North Corridor Complete Streets
Plan.
PEDESTRIAN
The Plan Area has inconsistent sidewalks; they are
most notably absent in undeveloped areas and on
streets that transition between the City of Fresno
and the unincorporated County (see Figure 5-1).
Inconsistent sidewalks can limit neighborhood access and walkability. The Fresno ATP identifies one “underserved neighborhood” within the Plan Area
that lacks sidewalks (see Figure 5-1). Since this area
is considered a “high priority area,” the City should
prioritize implementing sidewalk infrastructure and
improvements in these neighborhoods to improve
pedestrian travel.
The Fresno ATP also prioritizes sidewalk improvements on arterials and collectors with land uses and socioeconomic characteristics that generate
higher pedestrian travel demand. Currently, there
is a lack of sidewalks along the Plan’s proposed
major corridors (Whites Bridge Avenue, California
Avenue west of West Avenue, and Jensen Avenue),
notably in areas that are undeveloped. As development occurs in areas around corridors, and within magnet cores and complete neighborhoods,
continuous and wide sidewalks should be implemented accordingly to provide pedestrian access and create a pedestrian-friendly environment.
These improvements are described in detail in the
next section (Complete Streets Design Guidelines).
Lesser pedestrian improvements (i.e. standard
sidewalks) should be provided on other roadways
between magnet cores and along routes with less
pedestrian demand.
The recently completed Highway 41 + North
Corridor Complete Streets Plan proposes several pedestrian improvements in the Plan Area’s underserved neighborhood identified in the Fresno
ATP, including:
■ High-visibility crosswalks at Martin Luther King
Jr. Boulevard, South Clara Avenue (recently
installed), and South Elm Avenue along North
Avenue
■ A pedestrian activated signal (i.e., pedestrian
hybrid beacon) at the intersection of North and
South Clara Avenues
■ A temporary asphalt sidewalk on the south side
of North Avenue between Martin Luther King
Jr. Boulevard and South Elm Avenue
■ A completed sidewalk network, particularly
on North Avenue, South Clara Avenue, Martin
Luther King Jr. Boulevard, South Ivy Avenue,
and East Annadale Avenue
Chapter 5 | Transportation 5-3
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41 41
WEST AVE
CRYSTAL AVE
C ALIFORNIA CT TEILMAN AVE
JENSEN AVE VAGEDESAVE ATCHISON ST
OLEANDER AVE
ARTHUR AVE
KEARNEY BLVD
NIELSEN AVE
HOLLY AVE
CLARA AVE
WOODWARD AVE
LEAD AVE
LILY AVE
BLOSSER AVE
GEORGEAVE
ILA AVE
CALWA AVE
LORENA AVE
KNIGHT AVE
CHURCH RD
DUNN AVE
BELG RAVIAAVE
DELNOAVE
HAWESAVE
MYERS AVE
GEARY ST
VALENCIA AVE
EDEN AVE
BYRD AVE
KAVILAND AVE
GROVE AVE
GARRETT AVE
FLORENCEAVE
TE ILMAN I C R
PLEASANT AVE
VINE AVE
DOROTHY AVE
LAFAYETTE AVE
SAMSON AVE
FRUIT AVE
THORNE AVE
BARDELL ST
LA SIERRADR
ELM AVE
KIRK ST
NORTH AVE
ANNADALE AVE
ALMY AVE
ROY AVE
ROEDING DR
TULARE S
G
T
ST
PLUMAS ST
PICKFORD AVE
DIVISADERO ST
MERCED ST
R ST
LOS ANGELES ST
NICHOLAS AVE
C ST
MONTEREYST
BRALY AVE
TUOLUMNE ST
A ST
SAN BENITO ST
STANISLAUS ST
WOODWARD AVE
M ST
CALAVERAS ST
BROADWAY PLZ
VENTURA ST
RAILROAD AVE
MARIPOSA ST
SANTA FE AVE
PARKWAY DR
ROOSEVELT AVE
ANNA ST
BLACKSTONE AVE BELGRAVIA AVE
ILLINOIS AVE
GRANT AVE
H ST
AMADOR ST
E ST
WATERMAN AVE
MAYOR AVE
U ST
KLETTE AVE
MARIPOSA ST
JONES AVE
IRWIN AVE
KERN ST
INYO ST
MONO ST
SANTACLARA ST
STROTHER AVE
IVY AVE
O ST
FAIRVIEW AVE
B ST
ARTHUR AVE
FRUIT AVE
EL DORADO ST
CHERRY AVE
PACIFIC AVE
FULTON MALL
TUPMAN ST
CAPITOL ST
T ST
LEMON AVE
ONEILAVE
GENEVA AVE
SAN JOAQUIN ST
CHINA ALY F ST
EUNICE AVE
HOME RUN ALY
L ST
COLLINS AVE
S ST
A/B ALY
FAGAN ALY
Q ST
WELLER ST
FERGER AVE
POPPY AVE
HUMBOLDT AVE
WAYTE LN
NAPA AVE
LOTUS AVE
FERGER/PALM ALY
EDGAR AVE
AIRPORT RD
GOLDEN STATE BLVD
WALNUT AVE
VAN NESS AVE
TRINITY ST
MODOC ST
CHANNINGWAY
FULTON ST
FRESNO ST POTTLE AVE
ECHO AVE
MARTIN AVE
MAUD AVE
P ST
N ST
CHANDLER AVE LEE AVE
ROSE AVE
MADDY DR
PALM AVE
OC LL GE E V/ ANNESSALY
SARAH ST
GLENN/SAN PABLO ALY
BROADWAY
STEPHENS AVE
FARRIS AVE
MARKS AVE
JENSEN AVE
CHURCH AVE
VALENTINE AVE
MADISON AVE
KEARNEY BLVD
H
FRUIT AVE
WALNUT AVE
ELM AVE
UGHES AVE
HUGHES AVE
WEST AVE
BRAWLEY AVE
VALENTINE AVE
BRAWLEY AVE
CENTRAL AVE
ANNADALE AVE
NORTH AVE
MARKS AVE
CALIFORNIA AVE
WHITES BRIDGE AVE
MLK JR. BLVD FIG AVE
Sphere of Influence
City Limit
0 0.25mi 0.25mi
Plan Area
FIGURE 5-1 Existing and Planned Sidewalk Network
Existing Sidewalk
Missing Sidewalk
Underserved Neighborhood/
Priority Pedestrian Area within
Plan Area
Source: City of Fresno; 2017 Fresno Active Transportation Plan FIGURE 5-1 Existing and Planned Sidewalk Network
5-4 Southwest Fresno Specific Plan | Adopted on October 26, 2017 Jogger using a frontage road as a running trail along
Kearney Boulevard.
In addition to sidewalk infrastructure, measures
that improve the walking experience and address
pedestrian accessibility and walkability should
be encouraged throughout the Plan Area. These
improvements may include, but are not limited to:
high-visibility crosswalks, curb bulbouts, trees, and
landscaping to provide shade and buffer between
sidewalks and higher speed traffic, rectangular
rapid flashing beacons (RRFBs), and pedestrian
hybrid beacons (PHBs), where applicable (such
as at uncontrolled crosswalks between signalized
intersections in high pedestrian activity areas).
These types of improvements are particularly
important near schools, parks, and shopping areas,
within magnet cores, along transit corridors, and
on the high intensity corridors where pedestrian
activity is greatest. In these areas, traffic calming
measures should be implemented to reduce travel
speeds, which will reduce collision frequency
and severity. These are discussed further in the
Complete Streets Design Guidelines section later in
this chapter.
BICYCLE AND TRAILS
The Plan Area has a very limited bicycle and trail
network, which in turn does not support bicycling
as an alternative to vehicle travel. There are a few
bike lanes in the east-west direction, but they run
in short segments and are often discontinuous. The
Plan Area has one continuous bike lane along Elm
Avenue, which connects to the bicycle network in
Downtown Fresno. “Trails” as described within this
Plan refer to Class I bike paths, which are multi-use
pathways separated from vehicle traffic and shared
between bicyclists and pedestrians. Currently,
there are no existing trails within the Plan Area; just outside of the Plan Area, there is an existing trail
along Kearney Boulevard west of Brawley Avenue
to Kearney Park.
The Fresno ATP, which incorporates recommendations from the General Plan, recommends a bikeway system that is primarily comprised of Class
II bike lanes and follows the natural grid network
of arterial and collector streets within the Plan
Area (see Figure 5-2). Descriptions of the different
classes of bikeways can be found on page 5-24 in
the Complete Streets Design Guidelines section.
The provision of Class II bike lanes on every arterial
within the Plan Area would create a well-connected
bicycle network and provide continuous travel
through complete neighborhoods, within magnet
cores, and along corridors. Bicycle facilities should
be prioritized along corridors and other streets that
provide connections to high intensity activity areas.
The Fresno ATP also indicates that planned Class II
bike lanes could be considered for Class IV treatment during the project development phases. The ongoing Fresno Council of Governments’ Separated
Bikeway Feasibility Study may identify additional
corridors for Class IV implementation.
The recently completed Highway 41 + North
Corridor Complete Streets Plan proposes buffered
bike lanes on either side of the street along North
Avenue, focused between Martin Luther King Jr.
Boulevard and Elm Avenue (see Figure 5-3 taken
from the Highway 41 + North Complete Streets
Corridor Plan). Planned future right-of-way (ROW)
expansion can also accommodate this improvement when the existing roadway is widened. The City is preparing an official plan line for North
Existing Class II bike lane in Southwest Fresno.
Chapter 5 | Transportation 5-5
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41 41
WEST AVE
CRYSTAL AVE
C ALIFORNIA CT TEILMAN AVE
JENSEN AVE VAGEDESAVE ATCHISON ST
OLEANDER AVE
ARTHUR AVE
KEARNEY BLVD
NIELSEN AVE
HOLLY AVE
CLARA AVE
WOODWARD AVE
LEAD AVE
LILY AVE
BLOSSER AVE
GEORGEAVE
ILA AVE
CALWA AVE
LORENA AVE
KNIGHT AVE
CHURCH RD
DUNN AVE
BELG RAVIAAVE
DELNOAVE
HAWESAVE
MYERS AVE
GEARY ST
VALENCIA AVE
EDEN AVE
BYRD AVE
KAVILAND AVE
GROVE AVE
GARRETT AVE
FLORENCEAVE
TE ILMAN I C R
PLEASANT AVE
VINE AVE
DOROTHY AVE
LAFAYETTE AVE
SAMSON AVE
FRUIT AVE
THORNE AVE
BARDELL ST
LA SIERRADR
ELM AVE
KIRK ST
NORTH AVE
ANNADALE AVE
ALMY AVE
ROY AVE
ROEDING DR
TULARE S
G
T
ST
PLUMAS ST
PICKFORD AVE
DIVISADERO ST
MERCED ST
R ST
LOS ANGELES ST
NICHOLAS AVE
C ST
MONTEREYST
BRALY AVE
TUOLUMNE ST
A ST
SAN BENITO ST
STANISLAUS ST
WOODWARD AVE
M ST
CALAVERAS ST
BROADWAY PLZ
VENTURA ST
RAILROAD AVE
MARIPOSA ST
SANTA FE AVE
PARKWAY DR
ROOSEVELT AVE
ANNA ST
BLACKSTONE AVE BELGRAVIA AVE
ILLINOIS AVE
GRANT AVE
H ST
AMADOR ST
E ST
WATERMAN AVE
MAYOR AVE
U ST
KLETTE AVE
MARIPOSA ST
JONES AVE
IRWIN AVE
KERN ST
INYO ST
MONO ST
SANTACLARA ST
STROTHER AVE
IVY AVE
O ST
FAIRVIEW AVE
B ST
ARTHUR AVE
FRUIT AVE
EL DORADO ST
CHERRY AVE
PACIFIC AVE
FULTON MALL
TUPMAN ST
CAPITOL ST
T ST
LEMON AVE
ONEILAVE
GENEVA AVE
SAN JOAQUIN ST
CHINA ALY F ST
EUNICE AVE
HOME RUN ALY
L ST
COLLINS AVE
S ST
A/B ALY
FAGAN ALY
Q ST
WELLER ST
FERGER AVE
POPPY AVE
HUMBOLDT AVE
WAYTE LN
NAPA AVE
LOTUS AVE
FERGER/PALM ALY
EDGAR AVE
AIRPORT RD
GOLDEN STATE BLVD
WALNUT AVE
VAN NESS AVE
TRINITY ST
MODOC ST
CHANNINGWAY
FULTON ST
FRESNO ST POTTLE AVE
ECHO AVE
MARTIN AVE
MAUD AVE
P ST
N ST
CHANDLER AVE LEE AVE
ROSE AVE
MADDY DR
PALM AVE
OC LL GE E V/ ANNESSALY
SARAH ST
GLENN/SAN PABLO ALY
BROADWAY
STEPHENS AVE
FARRIS AVE
MARKS AVE
JENSEN AVE
CHURCH AVE
VALENTINE AVE
MADISON AVE
KEARNEY BLVD
FRUIT AVE
WALNUT AVE
ELM AVE
HUGHES AVE
HUGHES AVE
WEST AVE
BRAWLEY AVE
VALENTINE AVE
BRAWLEY AVE
CENTRAL AVE
ANNADALE AVE
NORTH AVE
MARKS AVE
CALIFORNIA AVE
WHITES BRIDGE AVE
MLK JR. BLVD FIG AVE
Sphere of Influence
City Limit
0 0.25mi 0.25mi
Plan Area
FIGURE 5-2 Existing and Planned Bicycle and Trail Network Existing Class I
(Multi-Use Trail)
Existing Class II
Existing Class III
Planned Class I Priority Bikeways
(Multi-Use Trail)
Planned Class II
Planned Class III
Planned Class IV
Sources: City of Fresno; 2017 Fresno Active Transportation Plan; Fresno General Plan Figure MT-2 Path and Trails (2017) FIGURE 5-2 Existing and Planned Bicycle and Trail Network 5-6 Southwest Fresno Specific Plan | Adopted on October 26, 2017 Avenue to establish the long-term ROW, which will
determine which existing property lines will require
assessment for potential parcel acquisition. Figure
5-3 shows planned long-term improvements for
North Avenue, which includes buffered bike lanes
on both sides of the street, no on-street parking,
two travel lanes, a center two-way left-turn lane,
and a wide sidewalk on the south side of the North
Avenue. This improvement was reflected in the
Fresno ATP, designating North Avenue as a Class II
facility.
The proposed Class I bike paths/multi-use trails in
Figure 5-2 were identified in the Fresno ATP and
recently amended General Plan Path and Trails
Map. These separated bikeways provide more
attractive facilities for the greater population, and
are particularly beneficial along major corridors
and connecting magnet cores where traffic volume
is anticipated to be greatest. Proposed Class I trails
in the Plan Area are included along arterials, such
as Marks, Church, Jensen, and North Avenues,
as well as pathways along irrigation canals that
travel in a diagonal direction across the Plan Area.
The canal pathways provide a more scenic and
low-traffic option for travel. Trails along the canals
connect to the east-west and north-south trails
system to provide continuity and access to major
destinations. For the trail along Jensen Avenue (the
Jobs Corridor), it is recommended that the location
of the separated pathway not conflict with proposed office development, associated office service activities (e.g., loading and unloading), and high
intensity traffic. For example and if appropriate, the
separated pathway could be a parallel pathway on
private office development.
TRANSIT
Due to the Plan Area’s limited development, not
all of the Plan Area is served by fixed route Fresno
Area Express (FAX) bus transit. Existing transit lines
are focused around existing residential neighborhoods and provide connections to Downtown (see Figure 5-4). However, there are a few residential
neighborhoods that are not within walking distance
of a transit line such as the neighborhood west of
Marks Avenue and north Kearney Boulevard, as
well as the neighborhood north of North Avenue
and west of Walnut Avenue. It should also be noted
that the current FAX service does not provide access to the Plan Area’s regional park, the Regional Sports Complex.
Source: 2016 Highway 41 + North Corridor Complete Streets Plan FIGURE 5-3 North Avenue Long-term Alternative Cross Section: Class II Buffered Bike Lanes Chapter 5 | Transportation 5-7
1 3
2 2
2 2
1 3
180
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41 41
MAGNET
MAGNET
WEST AVE
CRYSTAL AVE
C ALIFORNIA CT TEILMAN AVE
JENSEN AVE VAGEDESAVE ATCHISON ST
OLEANDER AVE
ARTHUR AVE
KEARNEY BLVD
NIELSEN AVE
HOLLY AVE
CLARA AVE
WOODWARD AVE
LEAD AVE
LILY AVE
BLOSSER AVE
GEORGEAVE
ILA AVE
CALWA AVE
LORENA AVE
KNIGHT AVE
CHURCH RD
DUNN AVE
BELG RAVIAAVE
DELNOAVE
HAWESAVE
MYERS AVE
GEARY ST
VALENCIA AVE
EDEN AVE
BYRD AVE
KAVILAND AVE
GROVE AVE
GARRETT AVE
FLORENCEAVE
TE ILMAN I C R
PLEASANT AVE
VINE AVE
DOROTHY AVE
LAFAYETTE AVE
SAMSON AVE
FRUIT AVE
THORNE AVE
BARDELL ST
LA SIERRADR
ELM AVE
KIRK ST
NORTH AVE
ANNADALE AVE
ALMY AVE
ROY AVE
ROEDING DR
TULARE ST
G ST
PLUMAS ST
PICKFORD AVE
DIVISADERO ST
MERCED ST
R ST
LOS ANGELES ST
NICHOLAS AVE
C ST
MONTEREYST
BRALY AVE
TUOLUMNE ST
A ST
SAN BENITO ST
STANISLAUS ST
WOODWARD AVE
M ST
CALAVERAS ST
BROADWAY PLZ
VENTURA ST
RAILROAD AVE
MARIPOSA ST
SANTA FE AVE
PARKWAY DR
ROOSEVELT AVE
ANNA ST
BLACKSTONE AVE BELGRAVIA AVE
ILLINOIS AVE
GRANT AVE
H ST
AMADOR ST
E ST
WATERMAN AVE
MAYOR AVE
U ST
KLETTE AVE
MARIPOSA ST
JONES AVE
IRWIN AVE
KERN ST
INYO ST
MONO ST
SANTACLARA ST
STROTHER AVE
IVY AVE
O ST
FAIRVIEW AVE
B ST
ARTHUR AVE
FRUIT AVE
EL DORADO ST
CHERRY AVE
PACIFIC AVE
FULTON MALL
TUPMAN ST
CAPITOL ST
T ST
LEMON AVE
ONEILAVE
GENEVA AVE
SAN JOAQUIN ST
CHINA ALY F ST
EUNICE AVE
HOME RUN ALY
L ST
COLLINS AVE
S ST
A/B ALY
Q ST
WELLER ST
FERGER AVE
POPPY AVE
HUMBOLDT AVE
WAYTE LN
NAPA AVE
LOTUS AVE
FERGER/PALM ALY
EDGAR AVE
AIRPORT RD
GOLDEN STATE BLVD
WALNUT AVE
VAN NESS AVE
TRINITY ST
MODOC ST
CHANNINGWAY
FULTON ST
FRESNO ST POTTLE AVE
ECHO AVE
MARTIN AVE
MAUD AVE
P ST
N ST
CHANDLER AVE LEE AVE
ROSE AVE
MADDY DR
PALM AVE
OC LL GE E V/ ANNESSALY
SARAH ST
GLENN/SAN PABLO ALY
BROADWAY
STEPHENS AVE
FARRIS AVE
MARKS AVE
JENSEN AVE
CHURCH AVE
VALENTINE AVE
MADISON AVE
KEARNEY BLVD
H
FRUIT AVE
WALNUT AVE
ELM AVE
UGHES AVE HUGHES AVE
WEST AVE
BRAWLEY AVE
VALENTINE AVE
BRAWLEY AVE
CENTRAL AVE
ANNADALE AVE
NORTH AVE
MARKS AVE
CALIFORNIA AVE
WHITES BRIDGE AVE
MLK JR. BLVD FIG AVE
T
Sphere of Influence
City Limit
0 0.25mi 0.25mi
Plan Area
FIGURE 5-4 Existing and Potential Transit Routes
Existing FAX Routes
Other FAX Routes
30 32
34 38
Recommended Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Corridors
1 2
3 Planned BRT Corridor per Fresno General Plan
Recommended Enhanced Transit Improvements per FAX
Recommended Enhanced Transit Improvements
Potential Restructured Routes per FAX
Potential Removal of Existing Route
29 (BRT)
38 31
T
T Transit Center
Other FAX Routes
Sources: City of Fresno; Fresno Area Express (FAX); 2015 FAX Final Service Plan Layout T Future Transit Center with HSR
FIGURE 5-4 Existing and Potential Transit Routes
5-8 Southwest Fresno Specific Plan | Adopted on October 26, 2017 FAX transit stop with basic amenities in Southwest Fresno.
The General Plan states that Bus Rapid Transit
(BRT) is envisioned on California Avenue connecting Southwest Fresno with Downtown as part of the second phase of BRT implementation. As the
Plan Area becomes more developed, the Plan
recommends that in addition to California Avenue
(the Mixed-Use Corridor), transit service should
be prioritized on the other proposed high intensity
corridors, which include Whites Bridge Avenue,
Church Avenue, and Elm Avenue, in order to
provide better access between existing and new
residential areas to employment, retail, and commercial uses. The Plan recommends that enhanced transit services also be implemented along Elm
Avenue to provide an improved connection for
commuters between Elm Avenue’s anticipated
office uses to and from Downtown, the FAX bus
terminal, and the High-Speed Rail (HSR) station.
Transit routes should also be considered on connecting streets between the major corridors and activity centers such as supermarkets, commercial
areas, and employment areas. Additional transit
routes would need to be provided and connect
to magnet cores and Downtown. There could be
potential for a local transit circulator connecting
areas of higher density within Southwest Fresno,
in addition to the existing transit service that
connects Southwest Fresno’s magnet cores with
Downtown Fresno. There could be a potential
transit center linking multiple transit routes at one
or more of the magnet cores.
Additional service locations are established
through a public process as defined by the Federal
Transportation Administration under Title VI. FAX
will undergo this type of planning effort in fall of
2017 to restructure routes, extend night service,
and extend weekend service with the intention of
adding more neighborhood-based services in areas
west of Highway 99, including Southwest Fresno.
FAX recently prepared a potential restructured
service plan layout for better enhanced and more
reliable service. Figure 5-4 shows FAX’s potential
routes compared to existing FAX service, which
includes new BRT service along Martin Luther King
Jr. Boulevard from Jensen Avenue to the northern
boundary of the Plan Area. This BRT line would
serve the MLK Activity Center to its west. The Plan
proposes to maintain FAX service along C and Santa
Clara Streets so that the recommended enhanced
transit service along Elm Avenue can continue
south connecting to Downtown. As the Plan Area
develops, regular and rapid transit routes within
Southwest Fresno should be routinely evaluated to
consider whether any routes should be rerouted
and/or expanded to link existing and new residential areas to existing and new commercial, employment, parks, and public facility uses.
VEHICLES
Southwest Fresno’s existing low traffic volumes
allow more opportunities for streets to accommodate additional traffic from future development within the current roadway ROW. There is also
opportunity to potentially repurpose additional
roadway ROW from existing streets, especially in
undeveloped areas, to provide bicycle, pedestrian,
and transit facilities.
The General Plan proposed several roadway widenings to the Plan Area’s existing roadway network and the completed Highway 41 + North Corridor
Complete Streets Plan also proposes roadway
modifications for North Avenue from Martin Luther
King Jr. Boulevard to Elm Avenue to have two travel
lanes with a center turning lane. These planned
roadway improvements are reflected in Figure 5-5.
Based on the Fresno General Plan Master Environmental Impact Report (GP MEIR) and the Highway Chapter 5 | Transportation 5-9
1 Existing Number of Lanes
1 2
3 4
MAGNET
MAGNET
180
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41 41
WEST AVE
CRYSTAL AVE
C ALIFORNIA CT TEILMAN AVE
JENSEN AVE VAGEDESAVE ATCHISON ST
OLEANDER AVE
ARTHUR AVE
KEARNEY BLVD
NIELSEN AVE
HOLLY AVE
CLARA AVE
WOODWARD AVE
LEAD AVE
LILY AVE
BLOSSER AVE
GEORGEAVE
ILA AVE
CALWA AVE
LORENA AVE
KNIGHT AVE
CHURCH RD
DUNN AVE
BELG RAVIAAVE
DELNOAVE
HAWESAVE
MYERS AVE
GEARY ST
VALENCIA AVE
EDEN AVE
BYRD AVE
KAVILAND AVE
GROVE AVE
GARRETT AVE
FLORENCEAVE
TE ILMAN I C R
PLEASANT AVE
VINE AVE
DOROTHY AVE
LAFAYETTE AVE
SAMSON AVE
FRUIT AVE
THORNE AVE
BARDELL ST
LA SIERRADR
ELM AVE
KIRK ST
NORTH AVE
ANNADALE AVE
ALMY AVE
ROY AVE
ROEDING DR
TULARE S
G
T
ST
PLUMAS ST
PICKFORD AVE
DIVISADERO ST
MERCED ST
R ST
LOS ANGELES ST
NICHOLAS AVE
C ST
MONTEREYST
BRALY AVE
TUOLUMNE ST
A ST
SAN BENITO ST
STANISLAUS ST
WOODWARD AVE
M ST
CALAVERAS ST
BROADWAY PLZ
VENTURA ST
RAILROAD AVE
MARIPOSA ST
SANTA FE AVE
PARKWAY DR
ROOSEVELT AVE
ANNA ST
BLACKSTONE AVE BELGRAVIA AVE
ILLINOIS AVE
GRANT AVE
H ST
AMADOR ST
E ST
WATERMAN AVE
MAYOR AVE
U ST
KLETTE AVE
MARIPOSA ST
JONES AVE
IRWIN AVE
KERN ST
INYO ST
MONO ST
SANTACLARA ST
STROTHER AVE
IVY AVE
O ST
FAIRVIEW AVE
B ST
ARTHUR AVE
FRUIT AVE
EL DORADO ST
CHERRY AVE
PACIFIC AVE
FULTON MALL
TUPMAN ST
CAPITOL ST
T ST
LEMON AVE
ONEILAVE
GENEVA AVE
SAN JOAQUIN ST
CHINA ALY F ST
EUNICE AVE
HOME RUN ALY
L ST
COLLINS AVE
S ST
A/B ALY
FAGAN ALY
Q ST
WELLER ST
FERGER AVE
POPPY AVE
HUMBOLDT AVE
WAYTE LN
NAPA AVE
LOTUS AVE
FERGER/PALM ALY
EDGAR AVE
AIRPORT RD
GOLDEN STATE BLVD
WALNUT AVE
VAN NESS AVE
TRINITY ST
MODOC ST
CHANNINGWAY
FULTON ST
FRESNO ST POTTLE AVE
ECHO AVE
MARTIN AVE
MAUD AVE
P ST
N ST
CHANDLER AVE LEE AVE
ROSE AVE
MADDY DR
PALM AVE
OC LL GE E V/ ANNESSALY
SARAH ST
GLENN/SAN PABLO ALY
BROADWAY
STEPHENS AVE
FARRIS AVE
MARKS AVE
JENSEN AVE
CHURCH AVE
VALENTINE AVE
MADISON AVE
KEARNEY BLVD
H
FRUIT AVE
WALNUT AVE
ELM AVE
UGHES AVE HUGHES AVE
WEST AVE
BRAWLEY AVE
VALENTINE AVE
BRAWLEY AVE
CENTRAL AVE
ANNADALE AVE
NORTH AVE
MARKS AVE
CALIFORNIA AVE
WHITES BRIDGE AVE
MLK JR. BLVD FIG AVE
Sphere of Influence
City Limit
0 0.25mi 0.25mi
Plan Area
FIGURE 5-5 Planned and Proposed Number of Roadway Lanes Number of Roadway Lanes*
1 Lane
2 Lanes
3 Lanes
4 Lanes
# Increase in Number of Lanes
1 2
3 4
5 #
6 7
8 9
10 #
Reduction in Number of Lanes
Sources: City of Fresno; Fresno General Plan
Southwest Fresno Specific Plan’s Proposed Changes in Number of Lanes *Based on figures in Appendix H-7 of the Fresno General Plan MEIR (2014).
S CLARA AVE
No change in Number of Lanes, but Divided
FIGURE 5-5 Planned Number of Roadway Lanes
5-10 Southwest Fresno Specific Plan | Adopted on October 26, 2017 41 + North Corridor Complete Streets Plan, the
following roadways within the Plan Area were to be
widened to four lanes:
§ California Avenue: Fruit Avenue to
Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard
§ Jensen Avenue: Marks Avenue to Martin
Luther King Jr. Boulevard
§ North Avenue: Elm Avenue to SR 41
§ Marks Avenue: Whites Bridge Avenue to
Jensen Avenue
§ Roeding Drive: Whites Bridge Avenue to
Kearney Boulevard
§ Walnut Avenue: California Avenue to
Jensen Avenue
The Plan recommends additional or alternative improvements to the GP MEIR’s planned roadway improvements to accommodate the Plan’s proposed development patterns and capacity. Table 5-1 and
Figure 5-5 shows the Plan’s recommendations to
key streets within the Plan Area, which are also
described below. Note that proposed improvement
numbers 4, 5, and partially 8 are located outside
the Plan Area and are recommended to provide
continuity with roadways in the Plan Area. These
recommendations could be incorporated as future
amendments to the General Plan and Downtown
Neighborhoods Community Plan (DNCP).
1. Marks Avenue: SR 180 to Whites Bridge
Avenue. Northbound Marks Avenue already
provides sufficient capacity (2 through lanes;
2 lanes onto SR 180 eastbound on-ramp).
Southbound Marks Avenue may need an
additional travel lane to serve future traffic
demand.
2. Whites Bridge Avenue: Marks Avenue to
Roeding Drive. Four lanes are necessary to
serve the planned Regional Retail Magnet
Core between Marks and Hughes Avenues.
3. Roeding Drive/West Avenue: Whites Bridge
Avenue to Kearney Boulevard. Maintaining
the existing 2-lane cross-section from Whites
Bridge Avenue south to Kearney Boulevard
would sufficiently serve traffic demand near
Chandler Airport.
4. California Avenue: Walnut Avenue to
Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. Traffic
demand can be adequately served with the
existing 2 lanes plus TWLTL (Two Way Left
Turn Lane) cross-section. Widening to 4
lanes, as identified in the General Plan MEIR,
would likely require right-of-way (ROW)
acquisition.
5. Walnut Avenue: California Avenue to
Church Avenue. Future traffic demand is at
the upper end of the capacity for a 2-lane
roadway, which indicates that a TWLTL
or widening to 4 lanes may be necessary
to provide sufficient capacity. However,
right-of-way constraints between California
Avenue and Church Avenue may preclude
widening to provide a TWLTL or additional
through lanes (i.e., widen to a 4-lane
roadway). The General Plan MEIR identified
4 lanes along the Plumas Street alignment,
curving back to Walnut Avenue just north of
Church Avenue. This curve has since been
removed through the DNCP (Downtown
Neighborhoods Community Plan) which
amended the General Plan.
6. Walnut Avenue: Church Avenue to Jensen
Avenue. Traffic demand can be adequately
served with 2 lanes plus TWLTL. Four lanes
identified in General Plan MEIR are not
necessary to serve traffic demand and
would be challenging to implement between
Grove Avenue and Jensen Avenue through
existing neighborhood without further ROW
acquisition.
7. Church Avenue: Walnut Avenue to Clara
Avenue. Traffic demand is expected to
be greater on Church Avenue compared
to the General Plan MEIR with the
addition of the proposed magnet core in
the quarter-section bounded by Church
Avenue, Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard,
Jensen Avenue, and Knight Avenue. Traffic
demand on this segment indicates that
four lanes would be necessary to avoid
over-capacity conditions. However, this
segment of Church Avenue would serve
a Community College, Neighborhood
Chapter 5 | Transportation 5-11
Mixed-Use, Community Commercial, and
Medium-density Residential uses in the
proposed MLK Activity Center Magnet Core,
in addition to Gaston Middle School a short
distance away. Given the nature of these
uses, providing wide sidewalks, attractive
bikeways, and transit facilities along this
corridor in accordance with the Complete
Streets Design Guidelines and policies in the
Plan will encourage non-vehicular travel for
this pedestrian activity center. Furthermore,
the Fresno ATP shows that a Class I bike
path is planned along this segment of
Church Avenue to further support walking
and biking. As such, it is justified for the
City to accept a lower LOS for this corridor
and provide fewer travel lanes for vehicular
traffic to maintain and prioritize pedestrian,
bicycle, and transit modes. Improvements to
Church Avenue should consider:
§ Available right-of-way/curb-to-curb
width for existing built-up areas
§ Plans for multimodal facilities, such as
bikeways, sidewalks, etc.
§ Need for on-street parking to serve
fronting development
§ Driveway frequency and access
demand (i.e., higher demand/more
frequent driveways to access fronting
development would make TWLTL more
necessary)
ID ROADWAY SEGMENT
NUMBER OF LANES
GP
MEIR1 PROPOSED SWFSP2
1 MARKS AVE. SR 180 to Whites Bridge Ave. 4 6 Divided
2 WHITES BRIDGE
AVE. Marks Ave. to Roeding Dr. 2 4 Divided – Marks to Hughes 2 Divided – Hughes to Roeding
3 WEST AVE. Channing Ave. to Kearney Blvd. 2 2 Divided – Whites Bridge to Kearney
4 CALIFORNIA AVE. Walnut Ave. to MLK Jr. Blvd. 4 2 + TWTL (Two Way Left Turn Lane)
5 WALNUT AVE. California Ave. to Church Ave. 4 2 Undivided 6 WALNUT AVE. Church Ave. to Jensen Ave. 4 2 + TWLTL
7 CHURCH AVE. Walnut Ave. to Clara Ave. 2 2 + TWLTL
8 ELM AVE. California Ave. to North Ave. 4 2 Divided
9 JENSEN AVE. Elm Ave. to SR 41 4 4 Divided
TABLE 5-1 Summary of Changes in Number of Lanes from Fresno GP MEIR Notes: 1Based on figures in Appendix H-7 of the Fresno General Plan MEIR (2014). The General Plan MEIR did not indicate whether roadways would have a raised median, two-way left-turn lane (TWLTL), or be undivided. 2 Proposed changes for the Plan are based on traffic analysis for the Plan’s PEIR. Additional detailed notes are provided below.
3 Although the Fresno MEIR shows this segment as 4 lanes, the more recent 41 + North Corridor Complete Streets Plan proposed this segment to have 2 lanes + TWLTL or Median instead.
TWLTL = two-way left-turn lane
Divided = raised median or TWLTL used to separate opposing travel directions; decision to install raised median or TWLTL should be determined based on surrounding land uses, demand for access, or need for access control.
Undivided = no raised median or TWLTL separating opposing travel directions. 5-12 Southwest Fresno Specific Plan | Adopted on October 26, 2017
8. Elm Avenue: California Avenue to North
Avenue. Two lanes are sufficient to serve
future traffic demand. The existing 4-lane
cross-section could be repurposed to
provide a more multimodal corridor,
including the following possible options:
§ Enhanced streetscape with wider
sidewalks
§ Enhanced bikeways (i.e., cycle track or
buffered bike lane)
§ Increased on-street parking
§ Transit-only lanes to support future bus
rapid transit (BRT)
These improvements would support the
Corridor/Center Mixed-Use and Neighborhood Mixed-Use land use designations along the Elm Avenue corridor.
9. Jensen Avenue: Elm Avenue to SR 41.
Traffic demand on this segment indicates
that six lanes would be necessary to serve
traffic demand traveling to/from SR 41
at LOS D or better. However, right-of-way
constraints, on-street parking demand,
and balancing the mobility needs with the
City’s focus on supporting walking, biking,
and transit to create a multimodal network
would make widening to six lanes infeasible.
Therefore, the Plan maintains the existing
four-lane configuration.
10. North Avenue: Martin Luther King Jr.
Boulevard to Elm Avenue. The 41+North
Corridor Complete Streets Plan changed the
plan for North Avenue from a 4-lane divided
roadway (in the General Plan MEIR) to a
2-lane with a TWLTL configuration. Our initial
traffic analysis shows that the 2-lane with
TWLTL configuration is at the upper end of
the capacity for this configuration. However,
due to right-of-way constraints, the Plan is
proposing this scaled-down configuration.
TRUCKS
With the significant amount of industrial uses
situated within Southwest Fresno, multiple truck
routes pass directly through existing residential
areas. The frequent truck traffic reduces comfort
levels for residents, especially for pedestrians and
bicyclists who share the roadway with truck drivers.
Figure 5-6 shows a map of existing truck routes
that pass through the Plan Area and the existing
industrial uses within the Plan Area and Sphere of
Influence (SOI) that these routes serve. Existing
residential areas are also shown on the map to
highlight the proximity of truck traffic to many
existing residential neighborhoods in Southwest
Fresno. Existing truck routes are located along city
and county streets.
The Plan recommends the rerouting of existing
truck routes that pass through large swaths of existing residential neighborhoods. These eliminated routes should be rerouted to street segments that
do not or minimally intersect existing residential
areas, while still providing access and service to
existing industrial businesses. Recommended truck
reroutes are shown in Figure 5-6 and include the
following:
■ The truck route on California Avenue should be
eliminated to avoid existing residential areas
and to provide a more pedestrian-, bicycle-,
and transit-friendly environment along the
Mixed-Use Corridor.
■ The truck route on North Avenue should be
eliminated to avoid existing residential areas.
Trucks should be rerouted from Highway 41 to
Central, West, and Fig Avenues. This reroute
is consistent with the recommendation from
the recently completed Highway 41 + North
Corridor Complete Streets Plan.
■ A new or rerouted truck route along Marks
Avenue should be considered to provide a
direct connection from State Route 180 to
existing industrial uses connecting to a new
extended truck route along Church Avenue; the
GP MEIR plans to widen Marks Avenue to have
four lanes of travel.
Chapter 5 | Transportation 5-13
ting Truck Routes
County Permit Route
Existing Truck Route
FUTURE PLANNED TRUCK ROUTE
Existing Industrial Land Use
180
99 99
41 41
WEST AVE
CRYSTAL AVE
C ALIFORNIA CT TEILMAN AVE
JENSEN AVE VAGEDESAVE ATCHISON ST
OLEANDER AVE
ARTHUR AVE
KEARNEY BLVD
NIELSEN AVE
HOLLY AVE
CLARA AVE
WOODWARD AVE
LEAD AVE
LILY AVE
BLOSSER AVE
GEORGEAVE
ILA AVE
CALWA AVE
LORENA AVE
KNIGHT AVE
CHURCH RD
DUNN AVE
DELNOAVE
HAWESAVE
MYERS AVE
GEARY ST
VALENCIA AVE
EDEN AVE
BYRD AVE
KAVILAND AVE
GROVE AVE
GARRETT AVE
TE ILMAN I C R
PLEASANT AVE
VINE AVE
DOROTHY AVE
LAFAYETTE AVE
SAMSON AVE
FRUIT AVE
THORNE AVE
BARDELL ST
LA SIERRADR
ELM AVE
KIRK ST
NORTH AVE
ANNADALE AVE
ALMY AVE
ROY AVE
ROEDING DR
TULARE S
G
T
ST
PLUMAS ST
PICKFORD AVE
DIVISADERO ST
MERCED ST
R ST
LOS ANGELES ST
NICHOLAS AVE
C ST
MONTEREYST
BRALY AVE
TUOLUMNE ST
A ST
SAN BENITO ST
STANISLAUS ST
WOODWARD AVE
M ST
CALAVERAS ST
BROADWAY PLZ
VENTURA ST
RAILROAD AVE
MARIPOSA ST
SANTA FE AVE
PARKWAY DR
ROOSEVELT AVE
ANNA ST
BLACKSTONE AVE BELGRAVIA AVE
ILLINOIS AVE
GRANT AVE
H ST
AMADOR ST
E ST
WATERMAN AVE
MAYOR AVE
U ST
KLETTE AVE
MARIPOSA ST
JONES AVE
IRWIN AVE
KERN ST
INYO ST
MONO ST
SANTACLARA ST
STROTHER AVE
IVY AVE
O ST
FAIRVIEW AVE
B ST
ARTHUR AVE
FRUIT AVE
EL DORADO ST
CHERRY AVE
PACIFIC AVE
FULTON MALL
TUPMAN ST
CAPITOL ST
T ST
LEMON AVE
ONEILAVE
GENEVA AVE
SAN JOAQUIN ST
CHINA ALY F ST
EUNICE AVE
HOME RUN ALY
L ST
COLLINS AVE
S ST
A/B ALY
FAGAN ALY
Q ST
WELLER ST
FERGER AVE
HUMBOLDT AVE
WAYTE LN
NAPA AVE
LOTUS AVE
FERGER/PALM ALY
EDGAR AVE
AIRPORT RD
GOLDEN STATE BLVD
WALNUT AVE
VAN NESS AVE
TRINITY ST
MODOC ST
CHANNINGWAY
FULTON ST
FRESNO ST POTTLE AVE
ECHO AVE
MARTIN AVE
MAUD AVE
P ST
N ST
CHANDLER AVE LEE AVE
ROSE AVE
MADDY DR
PALM AVE
OC LL GE E V/ ANNESSALY
SARAH ST
GLENN/SAN PABLO ALY
BROADWAY
STEPHENS AVE
FARRIS AVE
POPPY AVE
MARKS AVE
JENSEN AVE
CHURCH AVE
VALENTINE AVE
MADISON AVE
KEARNEY BLVD
FRUIT AVE
WALNUT AVE
ELM AVE
HUGHES AVE
HUGHES AVE
WEST AVE
BRAWLEY AVE
VALENTINE AVE
BRAWLEY AVE
CENTRAL AVE
ANNADALE AVE
NORTH AVE
MARKS AVE
CALIFORNIA AVE
WHITES BRIDGE AVE
MLK JR. BLVD FIG AVE
Sphere of Influence
City Limit
0 0.25mi 0.25mi
Plan Area
FIGURE 5-6 Existing, Planned, and Recommended Truck Routes Existing Truck Route
Existing Residential Land Use
in Plan Area
Existing Industrial Land Uses Served
by Truck Routes in Southwest Fresno
Recommended Elimination of
Existing Truck Route
Recommended New Truck Route
CARGILL
MEAT SOLUTIONS
BUSSETO
FOODS
FOSTER
POULTRY
FARMS
FRESNO
CHANDLER
EXECUTIVE
AIRPORT
Source: City of Fresno
FIGURE 5-6 Existing, Planned, and Recommended Truck Routes 5-14 Southwest Fresno Specific Plan | Adopted on October 26, 2017 ■ The truck routes along Jensen Avenue between
Knight and Elm Avenues and along Church
Avenue between Fruit and Elm Avenues
should be eliminated to avoid passing through
multiple residential neighborhoods and
schools. The parallel truck route along Central
Avenues should be used as an alternative.
Jensen and Church Avenues east of Elm Avenue
should remain truck routes so that trucks can
access Highway 41 and the industrial areas in
the “reverse triangle” between Highways 41
and 99. Jensen Avenue west of Knight Avenue
should remain a truck route to service existing
industrial and future office uses south of
Jensen Avenue.
■ The existing truck route along Elm Avenue
north of Jensen Avenue to Ventura Street
should be eliminated to avoid passing through
residential neighborhoods. Highway 41 and
the parallel truck route along Cherry Avenue
should be used as an alternative to access
industrial areas in the “Reverse Triangle” and
industrial uses in Downtown. The existing truck
route south of Jensen Avenue should remain
to service existing industrial uses along Elm
Avenue south of Jensen Avenue.
■ The existing truck route along Elm Avenue
should be extended south to Central Avenue
to serve existing industrial uses and provide
better connectivity between Elm Avenue and
the recommended Central Avenue truck route.
■ A new truck route along Roeding Drive from
Whites Bridge Avenue to Channing Way should
be considered to provide truck service access
to the Fresno Chandler Executive Airport.
The GP MEIR plans to widen Roeding Drive to
have four lanes of travel. Establishment of this
truck route is necessary for Fresno Chandler
Executive Airport and the surrounding
businesses.
■ North-south truck routes that connect to
recommended eliminated truck routes, such
as Thorne Avenue, Walnut Avenue, and West
Avenue from California Avenue to Florence
Avenue, should also be eliminated.
The recommended rerouting of truck traffic should
be thoroughly discussed between existing industrial
business stakeholders, existing residents, potentially affected agencies such as County of Fresno and Caltrans, and the City’s traffic engineers. The
recommended streets that would accommodate
new truck traffic should be evaluated to determine
whether the roadway’s current pavement condition
can withstand truck traffic over time and whether
the roadway’s width can accommodate truck
movement.
If it is determined that new truck routes cannot
accommodate these factors, the City should
prioritize the recommended street(s) for the
needed improvements or should determine
sufficient alternative routes that are agreeable
among existing residents, industrial stakeholders,
and agency stakeholders. Since this Plan proposes
to eliminate some existing truck routes, the City
should reconsider any future planned truck routes
that extend or connect to these eliminated truck
routes.
Truck traffic through Southwest Fresno.
Chapter 5 | Transportation 5-15
C. COMPLETE STREETS
DESIGN GUIDELINES
The following Complete Streets Design Guidelines
aim to create a high-quality pedestrian and bicycle
environment while accommodating vehicle access
needs. They provide direction for the envisioned
character of streets. Implementation of these
Complete Streets Design Guidelines should be
prioritized along streets within magnet cores
Sidewalk with street trees in curb zone.
Street with Class II bicycle facilities and a high-visibility crosswalk.
Bulbout with streetscape amenities and furnishings.
and complete neighborhoods, and along special
corridors specified in Chapter 2, Vision, and
Chapter 4, Development Regulations: (1) Regional
Retail Corridor, (2) Mixed-Use Corridor, (3) Jobs
Corridor, and (4) Mixed-Use/Jobs Corridor. Streets
other than these should have a lower priority for
complete streets implementation. These guidelines
may be implemented differently along streets, due
to varying street dimensions, adjacent land use,
and modal priorities. For example, if a corridor is
planned for BRT, complete streets improvements
should focus on transit mobility and pedestrian
access; on the other hand, if a corridor will act as a
key bicycle route, complete streets improvements
should prioritize bicycle facilities. The guidelines
are compatible with the streetscape enhancement
standards contained in the Citywide Development
Code. All improvements will need to be reviewed
and approved by City of Fresno Public Works.
They are categorized into the following categories:
■ Pedestrian
■ Streetscape Amenities
■ Green Infrastructure
■ Bicycle
■ Transit
5-16 Southwest Fresno Specific Plan | Adopted on October 26, 2017
PEDESTRIAN
Sidewalks
Wherever possible, existing sidewalks should be
widened through a public easement for pedestrian
purposes on the adjacent private property to
accommodate a throughway for pedestrian traffic
along with a curb and a building frontage, as
illustrated in Figure 5-7. This should be accommodated as vacant parcels are developed and existing buildings are redeveloped; buildings should be set
back from the back of walk to accommodate the
following areas, with widths consistent with City
standards. The creation of a public easement for
pedestrian purposes would only occur if the land
was available and would not result in a taking by
the City or loss of viable property.
■ Throughway. Maintain pedestrian throughways
that are completely clear of obstructions (e.g.,
tree grates, planters, light poles, etc.) and meet
all applicable Americans with Disabilities Act
(ADA) regulations. Relocate utility boxes out
of pedestrian throughways, where feasible.
For new sidewalks adjacent to residential-only
projects, provide a wider throughway adjacent
to the private parcel since a building frontage
area is not necessary for residential-only
frontage types.
■ Curb. Place street furniture, including light
poles, benches, and trash receptacles, in the
area adjacent to the curb. Landscape strips
are also appropriate in this area. Widths of
landscape strips should be consistent with City
standards.
■ Building Frontages. In areas with mixed-use
development, improve facades of adjacent
commercial buildings with awnings and
other pedestrian-scale enhancements. New
commercial development should be built
close to the property line, with setbacks for
wider throughways and building frontages.
Building frontages can accommodate sidewalk
cafés, store entrances, retail displays, and/
or landscaping. They are not needed on
low-density, residential streets. Acquire public
access easements on private property to
expand sidewalks and useable pedestrian areas
and/or add street trees and landscaping for
common open space.
Throughway Curb for utilities and
street furnishings Curb Throughway Building
Frontage Building
Frontage
FIGURE 5-7 Building Frontage, Throughway, and Curb Areas on a Sidewalk Chapter 5 | Transportation 5-17
Crossings
All existing and new marked crosswalks should
employ markings consistent with the California
Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices
(MUTCD). High-visibility crosswalk markings
should be prioritized at uncontrolled locations.
High visibility marking patterns include ladder,
continental, bar pairs, and triple-four markings (see
Figure 5-8). It is recommended that the lines in
these patterns are spaced to avoid the wheel path
of vehicles, since making this minor adjustment will
increase the durability of the markings and reduce
maintenance costs.
Additionally, crosswalks may employ special colors,
markings, and/or materials to create a sense of
place or increase visibility, as long as the crosswalk
is marked consistent with the California MUTCD.
Note that some textured materials may be a
hindrance to people with physical disabilities (e.g.,
people who use in wheelchairs or are blind/visually
impaired).
Stop lines should be placed 3 to 7 feet in advance
of crosswalks at controlled intersections to reduce
occurrences of drivers encroaching into the
crosswalks. Additional space may be required to accommodate special bicycle intersection treatment, such as bike boxes.
Turning lanes and inside travel lanes may be
narrowed to 10 feet, while outside travel lanes may
be narrowed to 11 feet in width where feasible
to facilitate the provision of curb bulbouts, and
bicycle facilities.
High-visibility Crosswalk Locations
In addition to the existing marked crosswalks in the
Plan Area, new high-visibility crosswalks should be
considered to improve pedestrian accessibility and
mobility. The following should be considered when
identifying new crosswalk locations:
Signalized Intersections
■ All signalized intersections along the corridor
should include high-visibility crosswalks. If
an intersection in the Plan Area becomes
signalized in the future, high-visibility
crosswalks should be provided.
Continental marked crosswalk.
LADDER MARKED CROSSWALK
TRIPLE-FOUR MARKED CROSSWALK
BAR PAIR MARKED CROSSWALK
CONTINENTAL MARKED CROSSWALK
1’-0” to 2’-0”
1’-0” to 2’-0”
Stripe
1’-0” to 5’-0”
Spacing Spacings should not exceed
2.5 times stripe width
6’-0”
Min.
1’-0” to 2’-0”
Stripe
1’-0” to 5’-0”
Spacing
6’-0”
Min.
2’-0”
Stripe
2’-0” Min.
Spacing
4’-0”
Consider aligning negative
spaces with car wheel base
to reduce maintenance
needs
4’-0”
4’-0”
0’-8”
Stripe
0’-8”
Spacing
2’-0” to 5’0”
Spacing
FIGURE 5-8 High-visibility Crosswalk Types
5-18 Southwest Fresno Specific Plan | Adopted on October 26, 2017 Uncontrolled Intersections
■ At uncontrolled locations, a marked crosswalk
may be considered if the following conditions
exist:
§ There is sufficient pedestrian activity
and demand to cross the corridor. This
typically would be about 20 pedestrians
per hour.
§ It is a convenient location to cross with
excellent visibility.
§ Drivers are aware of the pedestrian
crossing.
§ A transportation engineer determines
that a marked crosswalk would provide
an improved crossing over unmarked
crosswalk conditions.
■ Heavy and fast-moving traffic conditions may
indicate that providing only a marked crosswalk
at an uncontrolled location may be insufficient
along the corridor. If a marked crosswalk at
an uncontrolled intersection is warranted,
RRFBs should be considered as a minimum
improvement. PHBs should also be considered
as an option to increase driver awareness of
the crosswalk. At uncontrolled crosswalks (e.g.,
mid-block crossings), advanced yield limit lines
should be provided 20 to 50 feet in advance of
the crosswalk to notify drivers to slow down
as they approach the upcoming crossing.
These suggested improvements are subject to
approval by the City of Fresno Public Works
Department.
■ Areas with higher levels of pedestrian activity
that may be candidates for new crosswalks at
uncontrolled locations include:
§ Near high-use transit stops/stations not
adjacent to a signalized intersection
§ Along a walking route to a school
§ Near major activity centers such as
retail, offices, schools, parks, complete
neighborhood nodes, and magnet cores
■ In addition, marked crosswalks at uncontrolled
locations should employ California MUTCD
compliant signage to increase driver awareness
to the crosswalk’s presence.
Marked crosswalk using different pavement materials.
Signalized crosswalk with decorative paving to enhance
visibility and neighborhood character.
Advanced “shark teeth” yield line before a pedestrian
crossing.
Chapter 5 | Transportation 5-19
Additional Crossing Improvement
■ Curb Bulbouts. Curb bulbouts should be
installed on corridor intersections with
crosswalks where feasible to increase
pedestrian visibility and shorten crossing
distances, as well as provide space for street
trees, landscaping, and street furniture, such as
bike racks and benches. Curb bulbouts should
be closely coordinated with adjacent bicycle
facility design to ensure adequate space is
provided for bicyclists.
STREETSCAPE AMENITIES
■ Lighting. Energy-efficient street light poles and
pedestrian lights (e.g., solar, LED) should be
consistently spaced according to City standards
to provide sufficient lighting for pedestrians on
the sidewalk and bicyclists in the street; they
should alternate with street trees.
§ Where the sidewalk is adjacent to the
street, pedestrian lights should be
attached to the street light poles.
§ Where the sidewalk is separated from
the street, pedestrian lights should
be installed as separate units and
consistently spaced according to City
standards.
§ Lighting on alleys should be incorporated
and coordinated with the adjacent
property owners to ensure improved
visibility and light pollution is avoided.
§ Up-lighting of trees in medians and
on sidewalks should be considered in
pedestrian-oriented areas for additional
visibility and beautification purposes.
■ Themed Banners. Banners that emphasize the
identity of a corridor and/or the surrounding
neighborhoods should be attached to the
street light poles to unify those areas. These
banners should be designed with the input of
the community and neighborhood schools and
organizations. The process by which designs
are chosen and replaced should be established
prior to the design selection. The location and
content of banners shall be approved by the
City’s Department of Public Works.
Energy-efficient street lights.
Themed banners attached to street light poles.
5-20 Southwest Fresno Specific Plan | Adopted on October 26, 2017 ■ Parklets. Parklets should be considered in
areas with high-pedestrian activity and/or
eating establishments to provide additional
public space for gathering.
§ Parklets can take up one to two onstreet parking spaces, are built at the level of the sidewalk, and offer seating,
landscaping, and additional amenities by
extending the street furniture/curb.
§ Parklet designs should include
sustainable furnishings and plantings
that are lacking on a block (e.g., seating
areas on a block where there are not
sufficient benches or bus stops, or
landscaping on a block where there is
little sidewalk space for landscaping).
§ Parklets should be designed with the
neighboring business owners and users
to ensure the design is compatible and
desirable for the community.
GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE
■ Landscaping and Street Trees. Plant street
trees to provide shade for pedestrians on
sidewalks, reduce the heat island effect, and
beautify the street. Space trees at an interval
distance consistent with City standards in
between street lights. If trees are planted in
bulb-outs or a parking lane, they should be
spaced to allow for parking stalls in between.
Install tree grates that are flush with the
sidewalk to protect the trees’ roots and are not
tripping hazards.
■ Plant Selection. All trees and landscaping
should be plant drought-tolerant species that
are appropriate for the site and the climate.
§ Invasive Species. Always avoid invasive
species; California Invasive Plant
Council’s (CAL-IPC’s) “Don’t Plant a Pest”
list for the Central Valley should be used
as a reference.
§ Irrigation. Selecting native and lowwater-use species will reduce the need for irrigation and increase the species
probability of survival. The majority of
Parklet acting as an extension of the sidewalk to provide more seating.
Street tree bulbout in an angled parking lane.
Landscaped median with low planting and street trees.
Chapter 5 | Transportation 5-21
California native and climate-adapted
plants do not like overhead water in the
summer; where necessary, low volume
irrigation systems should be installed
with weather-based or soil-based
controllers, with a rain-sensing shutoff
device, and recycled water should be
utilized where possible.
§ Root System. Appropriate tree selection
is important to ensure tree health
and avoid damage to the surrounding
hardscape with large root systems.
■ Plant Height. Consider sightlines and
groundcover/shrub heights. When planting
along the roadway, consider the full maturity
of the plant and provide sufficient setbacks
to avoid conflict with pedestrian, bicycle, and
vehicle circulation. Plants within sightlines
should grow no higher than 24 inches
at maturity. Crime Prevention Through
Environmental Design (CPTED) principles
encourage visual corridors to be maintained
throughout the public realm. Groundcovers
and shrubs should be maintained to remain
below 36 inches, and tree canopies should be
maintained to be above head height (7 feet
above ground).
■ Additional Landscape Improvements. Look
for opportunities for additional planting and
drought-tolerant street trees in the medians,
furnishing areas of widened sidewalks, bulbouts, and parking lanes. Partner with adjacent land owners and Tree Fresno to increase
the urban canopy and beautify the area by
planting trees and additional drought-tolerant
landscape improvements on private property.
■ Biofiltration Features. Rain gardens in the
curb bulbouts, as well as narrow biofiltration
swales along the sidewalk, are an effective way
to treat stormwater runoff and reduce the heat
island effect. Constructing these elements in
the streetscape introduces plants to capture
the stormwater pollutants and allows for the
water to infiltrate through the soil and into the
groundwater below, rather than flow directly
into storm drains and into Fresno’s rivers and
streams. These areas also provide space to
Landscaping as biofiltration feature.
plant street trees. Hardscape should be graded
to drain toward these treatment areas.
■ Permeable Pavement. Consider installing
permeable paving materials, such as porous
asphalt or concrete, open-grid paving systems,
and infiltration trenches, to allow water to
move through the surface and into the soil
below to reduce stormwater runoff consistent
with the California Building Code and ADA
standards. For example, parking lanes may be
paved with unit pavers. Utilizing permeable
hardscape within the street corridor with existing storm drains will likely result in cost-savings when the storm drain system is replaced. They
can also reduce the heat island effect common
with traditional asphalt lots.
Permeable pavers can be used in parking areas/
driveways.
5-22 Southwest Fresno Specific Plan | Adopted on October 26, 2017
BICYCLING
These guidelines are based on the Caltrans Highway Design Manual (HDM), the California MUTCD, the American Association of State Highway and
Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Guide for the
Development of Bicycle Facilities, National Association of City Transportation Officials’ (NACTO) Urban Street Design Guide, as well as best practices in
other communities. Bikeway planning and design
in California typically relies on the guidelines
and design standards established by Caltrans as
documented in “Chapter 1000: Bikeway Planning
and Design” of the HDM. Chapter 1000 follows
standards developed by AASHTO and the Federal
Highway Administration (FHWA), and identifies
specific design standards for various conditions.
These standards provide a good framework for
future implementation, but may not always be
feasible given specific constraints. Bikeway design
and planning standards are continually changing
and expanding. Despite this, most agencies adopt
the Caltrans or AASHTO standards as a minimum.
Based on the California Streets and Highways Code,
Caltrans currently identifies four types of bikeways,
as described below.
■ Class I – Bike Paths. Also known as shareduse paths, these are bikeways that provide a completely separated ROW and are located off
the roadway for the exclusive use of bicycles
and pedestrians with crossflows by motor
vehicle traffic minimized. Since crossflows by
motor vehicle traffic should be minimized,
Class I bike paths are best implemented along
waterways (such as canals or creeks) that
have few cross streets, or along roadways with
strict access controls that limit the number of
driveways and cross streets.
■ Class II – Bike Lanes. These lanes are
demarcated in the roadway for the exclusive
or semi-exclusive use of bicycles. Vehicle and
pedestrian cross-flow are permitted. The
striping is supported by pavement markings
and signage.
§ Buffered Bike Lanes. Buffered bike
lanes are on-street bike lane facilities
with additional striping, which creates
a buffer that increases the separation
Broken Class II green bike lane to allow vehicles to cross through.
Class I bike path shared for both pedestrian and
bicyclists.
Sharrow on a street with off-street parking.
Class IV cycle track with a physical barrier providing
separation from traffic.
Chapter 5 | Transportation 5-23
between bicyclists and vehicles. The
striped buffer should be a minimum of
3 feet wide, where feasible. Buffered
bike lanes provide more separation
than standard Class II bike lanes, but
less separation than Class IV separated
bikeways.
§ Green Bike Lanes. Green colorized
pavement may be used for Class II
bike lanes in conflict zones along
corridors to heighten driver awareness
of cyclists. These conflict zones occur
at intersections and bus stops. For
example, a broken green bike lane would
alert drivers to the presence of bicyclists
when merging prior to making a right
turn.
■ Class III – Bike Route. These are bikeways
that are shared with motor vehicle traffic. Bike
routes are designated by signage and/or shared
roadway bicycle markings, including sharrows.
§ Shared Bicycle/Vehicle Lanes
(Sharrows). Shared-lane markings,
or sharrows, are a common Class III
pavement marking that alerts drivers
that bicyclists are sharing the road.
They are best used on streets with less
than 3,000 average daily traffic (ADT).
Sharrows should be painted near the
center of the travel lane, out of the
parked vehicle “door zone” in which a
driver may open their door and hit a
bicyclist.
Sharrows may also be appropriate to alert
drivers to the presence of bicyclists in
locations where there may be insufficient
pavement width for Class II bike lanes. For
example, at intersections where Class II bike
lane markings may stop due to the addition
of a right turn lane and insufficient width for
a striped Class II bike lane, sharrows could
be added to facilitate bike travel through the
intersection. Shared bicycle and vehicle lanes
should include sharrows, special materials,
and other techniques to slow vehicle
traffic and integrate bicycle and vehicle
improvements.
■ Class IV – Cycle Tracks or Separated Bikeways.
These bikeways provide a ROW designated
exclusively for bicycle travel on a roadway and
are separated from vehicular traffic. Separated
bikeways are not shared with pedestrians or
motorized traffic except for brief mixing zones
where necessary and at intersections. Types
of separation include, but are not limited to,
grade separation, flexible posts, inflexible
physical barriers such as bollards, raised curbs,
or a landscaped area, or on-street parking.
Separated bikeways can be either one-way or
two-way, accommodating a single direction of
travel or both.
§ The implementation of Class IV
separated bikeways should consider
the presence and frequency of vehicle
crossflows. Where a corridor includes
numerous and/or heavily trafficked
cross-streets or driveways, there is an
increase in vehicle-bicycle interactions,
which increases the possibility of
collisions. Additionally, the placement
of vertical separators should consider
the locations of building access
points, access from parked vehicles
to the sidewalk, and commercial and
residential driveways/alleys. Vertical
separators should not hinder access to
these driveways.
§ The preferred bikeway width for a
separated bikeway is 7 feet to allow for
passing and maintenance (i.e., street
sweepers). The recommended minimum
buffer width should be 3 feet.
■ Special Bicycle Intersection Markings. Bicycle
crossings should be separate from pedestrian
crossings. Intersection designs should consider
special improvements, such as broken bike lane
extensions, shared lane markings, colorized
conflict areas, and other markings to clarify
bicycle crossing paths and identify conflict
zones to motorists.
5-24 Southwest Fresno Specific Plan | Adopted on October 26, 2017 ■ Bicycle-Sensitive Detection. At traffic signals,
there should be bicycle-sensitive detection
at the limit line to detect bicycle traffic
consistent with the California MUTCD; bicyclist
push-buttons may be used to supplement the
required limit line detection.
■ Bicycle Parking. Secure bicycle parking is a
critical component to most bicycle trips, and
thus in promoting bicycle use (see Figures 5-9
to 5-11). Bicycle racks should be visibly located
at each FAX bus stop, especially at BRT stations,
and near active destinations, such as shopping
areas, schools, parks, and offices to promote
multi-modal transportation. They should be
visibly located near destinations and installed
either on the sidewalk outside the throughway,
such as in bulbouts, the curb, building
frontages, or in plaza spaces.
TRANSIT
Transit improvements will be focused along corridors with BRT or enhanced transit service along California Avenue, Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard,
and Elm Avenue.
■ Transit Integration. Pedestrian and bicycle
improvements should be integrated with
transit facilities and be compliant with the
ADA. Special design focus may be necessary
to coordinate improvements at major bus
stations, as these will be high-conflict zones
between buses, vehicles, and bicyclists. For
example, major bus/BRT stations could be
designed as platforms adjacent to the outside
travel lane, with bicyclists traveling between
the platform and adjacent sidewalk. This
reduces conflicts between buses and bicyclists.
■ Outside Travel Lane. The outside travel lane
may be painted to denote it is a lane for bus
travel. This outside travel lane should be at
least 11 feet wide to accommodate buses,
especially where a Class II Bike Lane or Class III
Bike Route is present.
2’-6”
3’-0”
(2’-8” Min.)
3’-0” Min.
(4’-0” Rec.)
20’-0”
2’-8” Min.
Main
Pedestrian
Circulation
6’-0” Min.
Clearance
7’-0”
Min.
Clearance
8’-0”
Min.
Clearance
4’-0” Min. Clearance
Bike Lockers
BIKE LOCKERS
5’-0”
Min.
4’-0”
Min. 2’-0” Min. or aligned
with street trees
Inverted U-rack
Street Furniture
BIKE CORRAL BIKE RACK SPACING RECOMMENDATIONS
Wheel Stops or
Striping
for visibility
Throughway Zone
5’-0” Min.
Curb Zone
2’-0” Min.
2’-6”
3’-0”
(2’-8” Min.)
3’-0” Min.
(4’-0” Rec.)
20’-0”
2’-8” Min.
Main
Pedestrian
Circulation
6’-0” Min.
Clearance
7’-0”
Min.
Clearance
8’-0”
Min.
Clearance
40 Min. Clearance
Bike Lockers
BIKE LOCKERS
5’-0”
Min.
4’-0”
Min. 2’-0” Min. or aligned
with street trees
Inverted U-rack
Street Furniture
BIKE CORRAL BIKE RACK SPACING RECOMMENDATIONS
Wheel Stops or
Striping
for visibility
Throughway Zone
5’-0” Min.
Curb Zone
2’-0” Min.
FIGURE 5-10 Bike Corral
FIGURE 5-11 Bike Rack Spacing
FIGURE 5-9 Bike Lockers
Main
Pedestrian
Circulation
-0”
Min.
arance
5’-0”
Min.
4’-0”
Min. 2’-0” Min. or aligned
with street trees
Inverted U-rack
Street Furniture
BIKE RACK SPACING RECOMMENDATIONS
Throughway Zone
5’-0” Min.
Curb Zone
2’-0” Min.
Chapter 5 | Transportation 5-25
D. GOALS AND POLICIES
PEDESTRIAN NETWORK
Goal T-1 Create a well-connected pedestrian network that allows Southwest Fresnans to comfortably walk to
key destinations such as schools,
parks, services, retail, and transit.
Policy T-1.1 Implement the pedestrian
recommendations from the City of
Fresno Active Transportation Plan
(ATP), focusing on the high priority
areas first.
Policy T-1.2 Prioritize sidewalk improvements,
including the priority sidewalk
network identified in the Fresno
ATP, on streets that generate
higher pedestrian travel demand,
especially along corridors, around
magnet uses, and within ¼- mile of
complete neighborhood nodes.
Policy T-1.3 Prioritize sidewalk improvements
on streets that connect to and
from Downtown.
Policy T-1.4 Encourage the provision of
new wide sidewalks in new
development areas or widen
existing sidewalks where ROW is
available to provide an adequate
and clear path of travel for
accessibility, consistent with the
California Building Code and ADA.
The width of new or widened
sidewalks will be determined
according to the City of Fresno’s
Citywide Development Code.
Policy T-1.5 Fill sidewalk gaps on streets in
areas where there are incomplete
segments of sidewalk adjacent
to existing sidewalks in order to
provide a continuous walking
experience, unless the area or
development was intentionally
planned without sidewalks.
Prioritize the Plan Area’s high
priority area identified in the
Fresno ATP.
Bike lockers and bike corral at a transit station.
Colored outside travel lane designated for buses.
5-26 Southwest Fresno Specific Plan | Adopted on October 26, 2017 Goal T-2 Create a vibrant pedestrian experience to enhance the character and identity of Southwest Fresno,
especially in commercial and employment areas.
Policy T-2.1 Enhance streetscape by providing
pedestrian amenities where
sidewalk widths allow, such as
benches, lighting, outdoor seating,
and planters.
Policy T-2.2 Utilize banners and signage, such
as wayfinding, to strengthen an
area’s distinct character.
Goal T-3 Reduce conflicts between pedestrians and drivers, especially on streets with high speeds and
limited pedestrian crossings.
Policy T-3.1 Identify intersections and/or
mid-block locations to improve
pedestrian crossings. Crossing
improvements may include highvisibility crosswalks, bulb-outs, RRFBs or PHBs, in-pavement lights,
and signage.
Policy T-3.2 Ensure that sidewalks and other
facilities meet the principle of
universal design and comply with
the ADA standards to assure access
for pedestrians and people with
disabilities.
Policy T-3.3 Limit the number of driveways
along sidewalks by consolidating
existing driveways and minimizing
new driveways.
Policy T-3.4 Provide continuous sidewalks along
public streets and encourage the
provision of sidewalks on both
sides for all new development
within the Plan Area.
Policy T-3.5 Work with Southwest Fresno public
and charter schools to implement
Safe Routes to School projects and
programs that increase the comfort
of students walking and biking
to school and encourages the
frequency and number of students
to walk and bike to school.
BICYCLE NETWORK
Goal T-4 Create a comprehensive, wellconnected, and continuous bicycle network that provides linkages
between residential areas and local and regional key destinations such as schools, parks, services,
retail, and transit, so that Southwest Fresnans may bicycle as a viable mode of transportation and
as a means to improve health and
increase physical activity.
Policy T-4.1 Implement the bicycle
recommendations from the Fresno
ATP.
Policy T-4.2 Prioritize the implementation
of bicycle facilities, including
the priority bicycle network
identified in Fresno’s ATP, that fill
a gap between existing separated
sections of the bikeway system,
will likely serve the highest
concentration of existing or
potential bicyclists, and provide
access to high activity areas.
Policy T-4.3 Prioritize the implementation of
bicycle facilities that connect to
and from Downtown.
Policy T-4.4 Ensure that all roadway widening
projects in Southwest Fresno
include Class II or Class IV bicycle
facilities.
Policy T-4.5 Provide secure, high-quality
bicycle parking per the Citywide
Development Code’s Section
15-2429 on Bicycle Parking,
including racks and lockers, at
key locations along the bicycle
network, such as transit stops,
commercial businesses, offices,
parks, and schools. Promote and
incentivize the provision of secure
bicycle parking for new multifamily residential and mixed-use residential development projects.
Chapter 5 | Transportation 5-27
Policy T-4.6 Coordinate with County of Fresno
and FAX to improve regional bicycle
connections.
Policy T-4.7 Promote and incentivize the
incorporation of changing/shower
facilities for new non-residential
development projects.
TRAIL NETWORK
Goal T-5 Create a separated, scenic, and
well-connected multi-use trail
network that provides Southwest
Fresnans convenient access to
nature and active recreational opportunities.
Policy T-5.1 Implement the Class I bikeway
recommendations from the City of
Fresno Active Transportation Plan
and General Plan Figure MT-2.
Policy T-5.2 Prioritize trails that connect to and
from Downtown.
Policy T-5.3 Where feasible, design the trails
to have separated paths for travel
by foot and by bicycle to prevent
potential conflicts.
Policy T-5.4 Provide separation for trail users
against vehicular traffic such as
landscaping, railings, or grade
separation.
Policy T-5.5 Provide understory landscaping
and/or tree canopy as shade where
appropriate to enhance the natural
character of the trail.
Policy T-5.6 Ensure good visibility from public
streets and private businesses
and residences to enhance public
surveillance in accordance with
CPTED principles.
TRANSIT
Goal T-6 Develop the Southwest Fresno
transit network into a viable
transportation alternative to
single-occupancy vehicles.
Policy T-6.1 Improve the reliability, quality, and
efficiency of transit service within
Southwest Fresno and to regional
destinations.
Policy T-6.2 Work with FAX and other transit
providers to increase transit
service, access, and connections
throughout Southwest Fresno,
connecting existing and
future residential areas to key
destinations, including schools,
retail, employment, and recreation.
Policy T-6.3 Encourage transit ridership by all
people, including students and
youth, through incentive programs,
education, and outreach.
Policy T-6.4 Provide transit options that
equitably serve all residents,
including those of lower incomes,
of older age, and with disabilities.
Goal T-7 Focus transit improvements along
corridors that have more intensive land uses to more effectively and efficiently provide transit service and promote non-automobile access to high activity uses.
Policy T-7.1 Work with FAX to retain transit
routes west of Highway 99, and
work to enhance transit service
along Elm Avenue and Martin
Luther King Junior Boulevard to
connect to future BRT routes
and the FAX and HSR stations in
Downtown when there is demand
from development along those
corridors.
5-28 Southwest Fresno Specific Plan | Adopted on October 26, 2017 Policy T-7.2 Provide and design transit stops
and bus stop platforms such
that transit travel has a higher
priority than through traffic on
transit corridors. Promote and
incentivize the incorporation of
transit features, such as platforms,
canopies, and associated support
structures, for new non-residential
development projects.
Policy T-7.3 In order to provide service to
the maximum number of riders
possible, consider first and last
mile solutions, which may include
smaller connecting busses or
complete street measures such
as wider sidewalks, safer street
crossings, and bicycle facilities.
VEHICLES
Goal T-8 Invest in developing, improving, and maintaining a roadway network that provides safety and
adequate capacity for automobiles and for walking, bicycling, and transit mobility.
Policy T-8.1 Consider and prioritize the
comfort of pedestrians, bicyclists,
and transit riders when planning
vehicular improvements
on roadways through the
implementation of complete
streets improvements.
Policy T-8.2 Reduce auto use and prioritize
walking, bicycling, and transit
mobility over increasing vehicle
travel speeds when considering
roadway improvements.
Policy T-8.3 Maintain the existing roadway
network and expand its capacity
as necessary to ensure safe and
convenient vehicular circulation;
require new development to
provide safe and convenient
vehicular circulation and
to contribute to capacity
improvements on arterials and
regional roadways.
Goal T-9 Prioritize low-emission vehicle
transportation options to reduce
criteria and toxic air pollutants in
the Plan Area.
Policy T-9.1 Promote, incentivize, and pursue
funding to replace public and
private vehicles and fleets with
zero-emission (or near-zero
emission if zero-emission solutions
are not feasible) technology.
Diesel fleets, such as transit buses,
located or operating within the
Plan Area should be prioritized for
replacement.
Policy T-9.2 Promote, incentivize, and pursue
funding for electrical vehicle (EV)
charging infrastructure throughout
the Plan Area. Require EV charging
infrastructure for new multifamily residential and mixed-use residential development projects.
Policy T-9.3 Promote and incentivize the
provision of preferential parking
for low-emitting, fuel-efficient, and
carpool/van vehicles for new nonresidential development projects.
TRUCKS
Goal T-10 Create a healthy environment for
Southwest Fresno residents by
intentionally routing truck traffic
away from sensitive areas such
as residential areas, parks, and
schools.
Policy T-10.1 Work with existing industrial and
heavy commercial businesses to
identify alternative truck routes
that limit negative impacts on
sensitive areas while maintaining
an efficient movement of goods.
Chapter 5 | Transportation 5-29
Policy T-10.2 Redesign alternative truck routes
that would require potential
widening of streets to allow
adequate width for two-way truck
traffic and turning movements as
well as repair/maintain roadways
to ensure satisfactory pavement
conditions that can withstand truck
traffic.
Policy T-10.3 Improve conditions of existing
and rerouted truck routes for
pedestrians and bicyclists by
implementing pedestrian and
bicycle facilities such as reduced
corner radii at intersections to slow
turning vehicular traffic, protected
signal phasing for truck left-turns,
enhanced high-visibility crossings,
protected bikeways, and wide
sidewalks.
COMPLETE STREETS
Goal T-11 Create an accessible and well-connected “complete streets” transportation network that serves community members of all ages,
income groups, and abilities, and
balances travel by all modes of
travel such as by car, bus, bicycle,
foot, or wheelchair.
Policy T-11.1 When feasible, design new
roadways and retrofit existing
roadways within magnet cores,
complete neighborhoods, and
along special corridors to prioritize
travel by walking, bicycling, and
riding transit, using the complete
streets design guidelines contained
in this chapter. For example, if
adequate or excessive vehicle
traffic capacity is available,
create wide sidewalks, provide
pedestrian amenities, and install
bicycle facilities such as separated
bikeways or bike lanes, bike
parking, and signage. This could
be in the form of a “road diet” to
transform certain corridors into
multi-modal streets.
Policy T-11.2 Identify streets with excessive
vehicular ROW that are
opportunities to implement traffic
calming and other improvements
to slow traffic and provide options
for multi-modal travel.
Policy T-11.3 Encourage lower vehicular travel
speeds for collector and local
streets in the Plan Area. This could
be accomplished through traffic
calming measures, narrower
travel lanes, reducing the number
of travel lanes, neighborhood
speed watch/traffic management
programs, or speed enforcement
programs.
Goal T-12 Foster a healthy lifestyle in Southwest Fresno through encouraging active forms of transportation
such as walking and bicycling
as an alternative to motorized
modes of travel.
Policy T-12.1 Prioritize the implementation of
facilities that encourage walking
and biking, such as sidewalks,
multi-use trails, and bikeways.
Policy T-12.2 Develop adult and youth bicycle
and pedestrian education programs
within Southwest Fresno that help
educate the public and promote
bicycling and walking.
Policy T-12.3 Support Transportation Demand
Management (TDM) programs
to encourage alternative modes
of travel to the single-occupancy
vehicle such as transit use,
car- or vanpool, rideshare, and
telecommuting.
5-30 Southwest Fresno Specific Plan | Adopted on October 26, 2017
STORMWATER
Goal T-13 Improve storm water quality
through transportation infrastructure improvements.
Policy T-13.1 Coordinate with the Fresno
Metropolitan Flood Control
District (FMFCD) Master Plan
to incorporate Low Impact
Development (LID) storm water
management techniques with curb,
gutter, and sidewalk improvements.
Policy T-13.2 Manage stormwater on-site to
cleanse, diffuse, and absorb
rainwater where it falls by creating
rain gardens, swales, infiltration
areas, and other attractive areas
that bring nature and beauty into
developed areas.
Policy T-13.3 Work with FMFCD to reduce or
waive development impact fees if
LID development is implemented
onsite.
MAINTENANCE
Goal T-14 Ensure that Southwest Fresno’s
transportation infrastructure is
in well-maintained conditions
to provide a comfortable travel
experience for pedestrians and
bicyclists.
Policy T-14.1 Perform routine street
maintenance to clear debris
from sidewalks, bike lanes, and
roadways, including regular
sweeping, pavement repairs,
restriping, maintenance of traffic
control devices, and landscape
maintenance.
Policy T-14.2 Monitor the conditions of
roadways to ensure the repair and
resurfacing of cracked and uneven
roadway surfaces to provide a
smooth and even surface for
bicycling.
Policy T-14.3 Monitor the effectiveness of street
lights to ensure they are lit brightly
enough to improve visibility and
enhance visibility and security.
Chapter 6 | Public Facilities 6-1
PUBLIC
FACILITIES
A. INTRODUCTION
This chapter describes the public facilities in
Southwest Fresno that achieve the Southwest
Fresno Specific Plan’s (the Plan) vision and guiding
principles (described in Chapter 2, Vision). In
keeping with that vision, as well as the General
Plan’s vision, Southwest Fresno is to be made up of
a network of complete neighborhoods, designed
to be healthy and attractive. Centered by schools,
parks, and public and commercial services, these
complete neighborhoods will have a sense of place
and provide as many services as possible within
walking distance. The Plan prioritizes the need for
quality schools, parks, open space, and other public
facilities in Southwest Fresno and increases land
dedicated to public facilities from the General Plan.
B. PARKS AND OPEN
SPACE
This section provides an inventory of existing parks
and needs, states the community’s criteria for
parkland, and describes proposed desired improve-
ments to existing parks and new parks.
EXISTING PARKLAND INVENTORY
Table 6-1 provides information on the existing parks
and open space within walking distance of South-
west Fresno residents, which includes all parkland
less than 40 acres in size owned and/or maintained
by the City of Fresno, San Joaquin River Parkway,
and Fresno Metropolitan Flood Control District’s
(FMFCD) ponding basin parks within the Southwest
Fresno Specific Plan Area (Plan Area). Parkland over
40 acres in size is considered a regional park, such
as the Regional Sports Complex, and therefore not
included in this table which focuses on community, 6
6-2 Southwest Fresno Specific Plan | Adopted on October 26, 2017 Parks should have more trees to provide shade.
Ponding basins collect water to manage stormwater
runoff.
neighborhood, and pocket parks, correlating to
the General Plan goal of 3.0 acres of parkland per
1,000 residents. In the case of FMFCD, only the
portions of ponding basin parks that are usable
year round are counted in this table – see discussion below.
There has been extensive discussion from the
community about what types of open space meet
the community’s criteria for usable parkland, which
are reflected in Table 6-1. The community has expressed that there are certain types of open space designated by the General Plan that fall short of
the community’s parkland criteria and should not
be considered usable parkland, described below:
■ Ponding Basins and Ponding Basin Parks.
Some of Fresno’s ponding basins are used
seasonally as parkland. The Plan Area’s ponding
basins (Basin FF and Basin TT2) are retention
basins, which are designed to retain and
infiltrate water. The community, however, does
not consider ponding basins/ponding basin
parks as adequate parkland because they
have limited amenities and access. The west
section of Basin FF (west of West Avenue) is
for recharge only and has no public access.
The east section of Basin FF has a tot lot at the
southeast corner, which is open to the general
public year-round, but access to the rest of the
basin is used as a driving range and limited to
the Fresno-Greater San Joaquin Valley Junior
Golf Foundation. Basin TT2’s “upper level”
play area is generally closed during the winter
depending on the conditions affected by the
winter season’s rain.
■ Hyde Park. The community expressed that
open space located on or close to a landfill or
toxic site, such as Hyde Park, should not be
counted as parkland due to concerns for the
community’s environmental health and the
limited uses allowed on the land.
Community park with playground structures
surrounded by housing.
Chapter 6 | Public Facilities 6-3
PARK
NAME
EXISTING
ACREAGE NOTES EXISTING AMENITIES
Chandler* 2.00 Mini park surrounded on all sides by housing; located west of Chandler Airport
Barbecues, Basketball Courts,
Children’s Play Structures, Picnic
Tables, Drinking Fountain
CFD11_
TR5549_04* 0.35 Surrounded on all sides by housing; unnamed Benches, Walking Course Habitat* 1.30 Surrounded on all sides by housing None
Sunset* 0.98 Located next to the Sunset Neighborhood
Center and Sunset Elementary School
Children’s Play Structures,
Community Center, Computer
Lab, Kitchen, Picnic Tables,
Restrooms, Social Hall, Wading
Pool, Parking Lot
Mary Ella
Brown* 4.25 Located next to the Mary Ella Brown Community Center Children’s Play Structures,
Community Center, Computer
Lab, Kitchen, Parking Lot,
Restrooms, Social Hall, Swimming
Pool, Wading Pool, Community
Garden, Basketball Courts
Neilsen* 4.15 Neighborhood park adjacent to Fresno Park Barbecues, Baseball/Softball
Fields, Basketball Courts, Children’s
Play Structures, Picnic Tables,
Restrooms, Benches, Drinking
Fountain
Almy Park* 0.41 New pocket park built by Habitat for
Humanity
Benches, Shade Structures
Benches, Children’s Play Structures
Ponding
Basin/Park FF 1.47
Owned by FMFCD; this acreage only
accounts for the portion that is usable yearround
Barbecue, Benches, Shade
Structure, Drinking Fountains, Picnic
Tables, Picnic Shelter, Children’s
Play Structures
Ponding
Basin/Park
TT2
4.00 Owned by the FMFCD; this acreage only
accounts for the portion that is most
accessible with amenities during non-rainy
seasons; closed during rainy season
Benches, Canopy Structures, Play
Structures
TOTAL
ACREAGE 18.91 acres
Parklandto-Residents
Ratio
1.49 acres per 1,000 residents
TABLE 6-1 Existing Parkland Inventory Counted Toward the General Plan’s 3 Acres per 1,000 Residents Standard
Source: Acreage and list of amenities from City of Fresno. * Parks owned by the City of Fresno.
6-4 Southwest Fresno Specific Plan | Adopted on October 26, 2017 Table 6-1 reflects the community’s parkland criteria
and does not include Hyde Park nor the full acreage
for ponding basin parks, which includes portions of
the ponding basin park that are used for retention,
not publicly accessible, or not open year-round.
The General Plan states that the City’s parkland
standard is three acres per 1,000 residents for
Pocket, Neighborhood, and Community parks, and
two acres per 1,000 residents for Regional Parks,
trails, and greenways.
Table 6-1 shows that existing parkland in Southwest
Fresno equals a total of 18.91 acres, which yields
a parkland-to-resident ratio of 1.49 acres per
1,000 residents. 1.49 acres per 1,000 residents is
well below the General Plan’s 3 acres per 1,000
residents standard.
The Plan recommends providing new parkland to
increase total acreage. The Plan also recommends
the following actions regarding existing parks:
■ Increase access and improve amenities at
ponding basin parks. To improve the usability
of ponding basin parks, the Plan recommends
increasing amenities and access so that these
parks can function better as parkland in order
to serve nearby residents. Furthermore,
parkland acreage for ponding basin parks
should be limited to the upper and/or middle
levels of the park that are usable as parkland;
this method of counting acreage will improve
the accuracy of the parkland-to-resident ratio.
These acreage totals are already reflected in
Table 6-1.
■ Re-designate Hyde Park’s land use from
Community Park to general Open Space.
Because Hyde Park is located on a landfill, park
amenities and development on the land are
limited. Re-designating Hyde Park as a different
type of land use will improve the accuracy of
the parkland-to-resident ratio in Southwest
Fresno.
■ Increase accessibility to the Regional
Sports Complex. Currently, the Regional
Sports Complex is located away from existing
residential neighborhoods and has limited
walkable or bikeable access. As described in
Chapter 5, Transportation, the Plan proposes to
connect all Southwest Fresno neighborhoods
to the Regional Sports Complex via new
bikeways and multi-use trails. The Plan’s overall
land use vision also locates new residential
neighborhoods in the Sphere of Influence (SOI)
within walkable distance of the Regional Sports
Complex.
INCREASING WALKABILITY TO
PARKS
The Plan designates locations for new parks,
taking into consideration whether the park would
be within walking distance to nearby residences
and focusing on areas where existing residences
lack convenient access to parkland. In general,
new parks are located at the nodes of complete
neighborhoods. Figure 6-1 shows the locations of
existing and new parks relative to all types of existing and new residential uses within the Plan Area.
Residential areas within the dashed blue circles
are within a half-mile-radius walking distance from
existing parks; residential areas within the dashed
white circles are within a half-mile-radius walking
distance from new parks. At full build-out, existing
and new parks within the Plan Area will serve all
existing and new residential areas within a half-mile
walking distance. A few parcels west of Highway
41 are located just beyond the half-mile radius
of proposed and existing public parks, however
they are zoned Neighborhood Mixed-Use, which
requires on-site open space.
Chapter 6 | Public Facilities 6-5
FIGURE 2-1 Conceptual Vision for Southwest Fresno
41 41
180
99 99
WEST AVE
CRYSTAL AVE
C ALIFORNIA CT TEILMAN AVE
JENSEN AVE
ATCHISON ST
ARTHUR AVE
KEARNEY BLVD
NIELSEN AVE
HOLLY AVE
CLARA AVE
WOODWARD AVE
LEAD AVE
LILY AVE
BLOSSER AVE
GEORGEAVE
ILA AVE
CALWA AVE
LORENA AVE
KNIGHT AVE
CHURCH RD
DUNN AVE
BELG RAVIAAVE
DELNOAVE
HAWESAVE
MYERS AVE
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PLEASANT AVE
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DOROTHY AVE
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TULARE S
G
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ST
PLUMAS ST
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MERCED ST
R ST
LOS ANGELES ST
NICHOLAS AVE
C ST
MONTEREYST
BRALY AVE
TUOLUMNE ST
A ST
SAN BENITO ST
STANISLAUS ST
WOODWARD AVE
M ST
CALAVERAS ST
BROADWAY PLZ
VENTURA ST
RAILROAD AVE
MARIPOSA ST
SANTA FE AVE
PARKWAY DR
ROOSEVELT AVE
ANNA ST
BLACKSTONE AVE BELGRAVIA AVE
ILLINOIS AVE
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H ST
AMADOR ST
E ST
WATERMAN AVE
MAYOR AVE
U ST
KLETTE AVE
MARIPOSA ST
JONES AVE
IRWIN AVE
KERN ST
INYO ST
MONO ST
SANTACLARA ST
STROTHER AVE
IVY AVE
O ST
FAIRVIEW AVE
B ST
ARTHUR AVE
FRUIT AVE
EL DORADO ST
CHERRY AVE
PACIFIC AVE
FULTON MALL
TUPMAN ST
CAPITOL ST
T ST
LEMON AVE
ONEILAVE
GENEVA AVE
SAN JOAQUIN ST
CHINA ALY F ST
EUNICE AVE
HOME RUN ALY
L ST
COLLINS AVE
S ST
A/B ALY
FAGAN ALY
Q ST
WELLER ST
FERGER AVE
POPPY AVE
HUMBOLDT AVE
WAYTE LN
NAPA AVE
LOTUS AVE
FERGER/PALM ALY
EDGAR AVE
AIRPORT RD
GOLDEN STATE BLVD
WALNUT AVE
VAN NESS AVE
TRINITY ST
MODOC ST
CHANNINGWAY
FULTON ST
FRESNO ST POTTLE AVE
ECHO AVE
MARTIN AVE
MAUD AVE
P ST
N ST
CHANDLER AVE LEE AVE
ROSE AVE
MADDY DR
PALM AVE
OC LL GE E V/ ANNESSALY
SARAH ST
GLENN/SAN PABLO ALY
BROADWAY
STEPHENS AVE
FARRIS AVE
MARKS AVE
JENSEN AVE
CHURCH AVE
VALENTINE AVE
MADISON AVE
KEARNEY BLVD
FRUIT AVE
WALNUT AVE
ELM AVE
MLK JR. BLVD
H
FIG AVE
UGHES AVE
HUGHES AVE
WEST AVE
BRAWLEY AVE
VALENTINE AVE
BRAWLEY AVE
CENTRAL AVE
ANNADALE AVE
NORTH AVE
MARKS AVE
CALIFORNIA AVE
WHITES BRIDGE AVE
0 0.25mi 0.25mi
New Parks
Existing Neighborhood/
Community Center with Park Facilities
Existing Schools
New Schools
Residential Areas Underserved
by Existing Parks
Existing Parks
Existing Residential Areas
New Residential Areas
½-mile Walkable Radius
Around New Parks
½-mile Walkable Radius
Around Existing Parks
Source: City of Fresno
Sphere of Influence
City Limit
Plan Area
FIGURE 6-1 Residential Areas Served by Existing and New Parks 2 1
3 4
5 CHANDLER
PARK
REGIONAL
SPORTS
COMPLEX
MARY ELLA
BROWN
COMMUNITY
CTR.
SUNSET NBHD. CTR.
HINTON
PARK
BIGBYVILLA
PARK
PRIDE
PARK
WEST FRESNO
MIDDLE
WEST FRESNO
ELEMENTARY
RUTHERFORD
B. GASTON
MIDDLE
WEB DUBOIS
PUBLIC CHARTER
BETHUNE
ELEMENTARY
SUNSET
ELEMENTARY
CFD11_TR5549_04
PARK
HABITAT
PARK
PARK
TT2
PARK
FF
NEILSEN
PARK
ALMY
PARK
FIGURE 6-1 Residential Areas Served by Existing and New Parks 6-6 Southwest Fresno Specific Plan | Adopted on October 26, 2017 The prioritization of creating new parks should
be based on whether its location will benefit an
existing residential neighborhood that currently
is not within walking distance of a park. Figure
6-1 sheds light on which existing residential
neighborhoods are currently not within walking
distance of a park, including the following areas
numbered and outlined in orange on the map: (1)
the area bounded by Marks, Madison, Lead, and
Chandler Avenues; (2) the area bounded by MLK Jr.
Boulevard, Kaviland, Garrett, Bardell, Grove, Clara,
and Jensen Avenues; (3); the area/new apartment
complex along Jensen Avenue near Elm Avenue;
(4) the area bounded by Highway 41, Elm, Church,
and Jensen Avenues; and (5) the area bounded by
the Plan Area boundary to the west, and Walnut,
Samson, and North Avenues. The construction of
new parks located within half-mile radius distance
of these aforementioned neighborhoods should
be prioritized over the construction of other new
parks.
The locations of existing and new schools are also
shown on the map to highlight opportunities for
joint-use park space that could be accessible to the
public during after-school hours. The City recently
amended its joint-use agreements with the Central
Unified School District and Fresno Unified School
District to expand the community use of school
sites in order to improve the opportunities for
public and community recreational activity.
Park with enhanced pedestrian crossing.
Pocket park in the center of a residential neighborhood.
Chapter 6 | Public Facilities 6-7
PARK IMPROVEMENTS
In addition to providing an adequate amount of
parkland within the Plan Area, existing parks should
be renovated and new parks should be designed
so that they have appropriate amenities that are
considered valuable to the community. Improvements to existing parks should be prioritized over the construction of new parks. Amenities include
not only infrastructure, but also landscaping,
programs, and activities. As described earlier in
the chapter, the Plan proposes to also increase
existing park amenities at Southwest Fresno’s
ponding basin parks, which include Park FF and
Park TT2. Table 6-2 provides a list of essential
and recommended amenities for parks. Each park
should uniquely serve its nearby community by
providing opportunities for desired activities and
catering to the community’s social makeup (e.g.,
youth, elderly, dog owners, sports players). Park
infrastructure should be in good condition and
regularly maintained and cleaned. Parks should
also feel safe and secure with adequate fencing and
lighting as well as surveillance from enforcement
officials and community members, as noted in
Chapter 4, Development Regulations, under the
Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design
(CPTED) section.
Playground with overhead shade structure.
AMENITY TYPE ESSENTIAL RECOMMENDED
Infrastructure
■ Restrooms
■ Water fountains
■ Lighting
■ Trash cans
■ Benches or other forms of seating
■ Playground equipment with shade
structure
■ Stage for cultural performances
■ Community center for community
parks and larger
Activities
■ At least one of the activities in the
adjacent “Recommended” column
■ Outdoor places to gather
Two or more of the following:
■ Baseball fields
■ Basketball courts
■ Tennis courts
■ Soccer fields
■ Bike and walking trails
■ Barbecue areas
■ Skate/BMX parks
■ Off-leash dog area
■ Water feature
Landscaping
■ Drought-tolerant trees for shade and
vegetation
■ Canopies with benches and tables
■ Drought-friendly turf areas that can
withstand heavy traffic
TABLE 6-2 Essential and Recommended Park Amenities
6-8 Southwest Fresno Specific Plan | Adopted on October 26, 2017 C. EDUCATION
This section provides an overview of the school
districts, an inventory of existing schools, and
describes proposed improvements to existing
schools and new schools. The Plan Area is made up
of three unified school districts, but predominantly
Fresno Unified in the northern half and Washington
Unified in the southern half (see Figure 6-2). The
Central Unified School District is located to the
west of the Plan Area, but overlaps a minimal number of existing residential properties within the Plan Area. Near the freeway intersection of Highway 41
and Highway 99, the school district boundaries of
Fresno Unified and Washington Unified alternate in
the east-west and north-south directions. It is likely
that residents in this area may live in close proximity of each other, but are assigned to different school districts, and thus attend different schools.
The Plan Area consists of two elementary schools
(Sunset and West Fresno), two middle schools
(Rutherford B. Gaston and West Fresno), and
no high schools. Rutherford B. Gaston (Gaston)
Middle School was recently constructed. There
are two charter schools, Bethune (elementary)
and WEB Dubois (K to 12) within the Plan Area.
Refer to Figure 6-1 for the locations of existing and
proposed schools.
Edison High School is located outside, but very
proximate to the Plan Area, and is located within
two districts, but belongs to Fresno Unified School
District. Washington Union High School serves the
Washington Unified District, but is located outside
of the Plan Area and approximately four miles
south of the Plan Area’s southern edge.
Recently constructed Gaston Middle School.
As described in the Community Environmental
Health section in Chapter 1, Introduction, in Southwest Fresno, a large percentage of adults have not completed high school and few have earned a
college degree. Edison High and several elementary
schools score below Academic Performance Index’s
statewide standards. These academic indicators
indicate a need for greater academic achievement
among children and youth living in Southwest
Fresno.
EDUCATIONAL IMPROVEMENTS
In the 2009 West Fresno Asset Map: Community
Plan, the Southwest Fresno community identified
improving financial literacy and promoting higher
education/training for residents as a top priority,
along with increasing funding for area schools. In
2010, the California Endowment launched its Building Healthy Communities (BHC) initiative, a 10-year strategic plan designed to improve health systems
and the physical, social, economic and service
structures that support healthy living and healthy
behaviors in central, southeast, and southwest
sectors of Fresno. BHC recognizes the importance
of schools as providing anchors in the communities
they serve, as well as promoting healthy behaviors
and serving as gateways for resources and services.
It should be noted that educational facilities are
provided by entities that have a special mission
and financial structure to do so, such as a school
district. The City of Fresno, as a local government,
does not have direct control over schools; however,
the City can partner with educational institutions to
work toward common goals.
Chapter 6 | Public Facilities 6-9
FIGURE 6-2 Schools and School Districts
Sunset Elementary School
Bethune Elementary School
Edison High School
Big Picture High School
Columbia Elementary School
Lincoln Elementary School
King Elementary School
Rutherford B. Gaston Middle School
WEB Dubois Public Charter School
West Fresno Middle School
West Fresno Elementary School
Kirk Elementary School
Acel Fresno Charter High School
Lowell Elementary School
Yokomi Elementary School
Jefferson Elementary School
Pershing Continuation High School
Anchor Academy Charter School
West Park Elementary School
41 41
180
99 99
0 0.25mi 0.25mi
EXISTING UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICTS
Fresno Unified
Washington Unified
Central Unified
Existing School
FIGURE 6-2 Schools and School Districts
Sphere of Influence
City Limit
Plan Area
Sunset Elementary School
Bethune Elementary School
Edison High School
Big Picture High School
Columbia Elementary School
Lincoln Elementary School
King Elementary School
Rutherford B. Gaston Middle School
WEB Dubois Public Charter School
West Fresno Middle School
West Fresno Elementary School
Kirk Elementary School
Acel Fresno Charter High School
Lowell Elementary School
Yokomi Elementary School
Jefferson Elementary School
Pershing Continuation High School
Anchor Academy Charter School
West Park Elementary School
Computech Middle School
MARKS AVE
JENSEN AVE
CHURCH AVE
MADISON AVE
KEARNEY BLVD
H
FRUIT AVE
WALNUT AVE
ELM AVE
UGHES AVE
HUGHES AVE
WEST AVE
VALENTINE AVE ANNADALE AVE
NORTH AVE
MARKS AVE
CALIFORNIA AVE
WHITES BRIDGE AVE
MLK JR. BLVD FIG AVE
Source: City of Fresno
Sunset Elementary School
Bethune Elementary School
Edison High School
Big Picture High School
Columbia Elementary School
Lincoln Elementary School
King Elementary School
Rutherford B. Gaston Middle School
WEB Dubois Public Charter School
West Fresno Middle School
West Fresno Elementary School
Kirk Elementary School
Acel Fresno Charter High
Lowell Elementary School
Yokomi Elementary School
Jefferson Elementary S
Pershing Continuation High School
Anchor Academy Charter School
West Park Elementary School
41 41
180
99 0 0.25mi 0.25mi
EXISTING UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICTS
Fresno Unified
Washington Unified
Central Unified
Existing School
FIGURE 6-2 Schools and School Districts
Sphere of Influence
City Limit
Plan Area
Sunset Elementary School
Bethune Elementary School
Edison High School
Big Picture High School
Columbia Elementary School
Lincoln Elementary School
King Elementary School
Rutherford B. Gaston Middle School
WEB Dubois Public Charter School
West Fresno Middle School
West Fresno Elementary School
Kirk Elementary School
Acel Fresno Charter High
Lowell Elementary School
Yokomi Elementary School
Jefferson Elementary S
Pershing Continuation High School
Anchor Academy Charter School
West Park Elementary School
Computech Middle School
M
ARKS AVE
JENSEN AVE
CHURCH AVE
MADISON AVE
KEARNEY BLVD
H
FRUIT AVE
WALNUT AVE
ELM AVE
UGHES AVE
HUGHES AVE
WEST AVE
VALENTINE AVE ANNADALE AVE
NORTH AVE
MARKS AVE
CALIFORNIA AVE
WHITES BRIDGE AVE
MLK JR. BLVD FIG AVE
Source: City o
6-10 Southwest Fresno Specific Plan | Adopted on October 26, 2017 K to 12 Schools
The Plan envisions each complete neighborhood
with at least one or more grade schools so students
can walk to school. This includes four elementary
schools within the Plan Area (a total of nine in the
Plan Area and SOI combined), two middle schools
within the Plan Area (a total of five in the Plan
Area and SOI combined), and one new middle/high
school/special school within the SOI. Each school is
either adjacent to or within one-eighth-mile from a
nearby park.
Community College
The area identified as the “MLK Activity Center” in
the Fresno General Plan (General Plan), bounded
by Church Avenue, Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, Jensen Avenue, and Knight Avenue, is envisioned as the future home to an educational use, particularly a community college campus. While it
is not certain that a community college campus will
be funded and built in Southwest Fresno, the land
use map proposes Public Facility - College to allow
this type of development. The areas surrounding
it are planned for housing, community commercial
uses, mixed use, and a park in order to facilitate
compatible uses.
Training Centers
To offer more opportunities for residents to increase their skills and improve overall employment in Southwest Fresno, the Plan identifies locations
for public facilities which can be used for training
centers for young people and adults. This priority
is tied to the City’s healthy community goal. When
communities can obtain quality education and job
training, secure employment with living wages that
allow self-sufficiency, and feel safe within one’s
neighborhood, they are likelier to enjoy healthy
lives.
D. OTHER PUBLIC
FACILITIES
Other public facilities with dedicated land area
within the Plan Area include hospital/clinic, neighborhood centers, and PG&E stations. As described in the Community Environmental Health section
in Chapter 1, Introduction, the choices to access
medical care have improved in recent years. Medical care facilities that serve the Southwest Fresno community include Easton Community Health
Center, Elm Community Health Center (Clinic Sierra
Vista), West Fresno Community Health Center, and
Gaston Middle School’s on-site health clinic.
California State University, Fresno college campus serves as a community college magnet use.
Chapter 6 | Public Facilities 6-11
E. GOALS AND POLICIES
The following goals and related polices address
Parks and Open Space, Education, and other Public
Facilities, and are intended to work in tandem with
and refine those of the General Plan.
The 2017 Fresno Parks Master Plan, which is now
being developed, identifies parks-related citywide
challenges that are similar to those in Southwest
Fresno and in response, contains efficiency and
quality standards for Fresno parks citywide. The
Fresno Parks Vision document completed in
December 2016 envisions a citywide parks system
that provides parks that are accessible, equitable,
healthy, safe, beautifully designed, and innovative.
The identified citywide challenges include poor
conditions of parks; lack of accessibility; crime and
safety; and lack of shade. The following Parks and
Open Space goals and policies strive to address
these challenges and realize the Plan’s vision.
Goal PF-1 Improve existing parks as the
highest priority to create high
quality outdoor spaces that
Southwest Fresno residents care
about in order to foster a healthy
and active community.
Policy PF-1.1 Upgrade the amenities in existing
parks, including ponding basin
parks, by first improving the conditions of existing amenities and then renovating parks to provide new
amenities. All parks should have
well-maintained and fully accessible essential and desired amenities, including park infrastructure, activities, landscaping, and seating.
Policy PF-1.2 Provide a sense of safety and
security at existing parks by addressing delinquent activities and occupation by transient populations through enforcement and community design in keeping with
CPTED principles.
Policy PF-1.3 Remediate toxic sites on and/
or directly adjacent to existing
parkland to improve the environmental health of the community and prepare the sites for other
potential uses, with the remediation of Hyde Park being a high priority. Seek funds to implement
remediation.
Goal PF-2 Increase the overall amount of
usable parkland within Southwest
Fresno allowing varied recreational opportunities for the entire Southwest Fresno community.
Policy PF-2.1 Develop new parks, tot lots, and
playing fields within a half-mile
walking distance (a ten-minute
walk) from existing and new residential areas, prioritizing existing developed neighborhoods that are
deficient of such amenities and in
areas along transit-priority corridors such as California Avenue, Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard,
and Elm Avenue.
Policy PF-2.2 If possible, site new parks to have
maximum visibility by surrounding
residences to increase “eyes on
the street” and thus create natural
surveillance in keeping with CPTED
principles.
Policy PF-2.3 Utilize vacant and/or underutilized
land for park uses. The transformation of vacant and/or underutilized land into parks can be phased over
time with temporary or transitional
park activity.
Policy PF-2.4 Meet the General Plan’s parkland
standard for at least three acres of
parkland to be provided per 1,000
residents for all parkland less than
40 acres in size owned and/or
maintained by the City of Fresno,
San Joaquin River Parkway, FMFCD
ponding basin/parks, owned
and maintained by an HOA and
6-12 Southwest Fresno Specific Plan | Adopted on October 26, 2017 publically accessible (no gate), and
where there is little likelihood that
the use or access will change, while
striving for five acres of parkland
to be provided per 1,000 residents
which includes all parkland counted toward three acres per 1,000 residents, all parkland 40 acres or
greater in size, and all trails of any
size. As new development occurs in
the Plan Area, monitor residential
population growth compared to
development of new parklands to
meet the three acres of parkland
to be provided per 1,000 residents
ratio. If the ratio is not met, explore
additional ways to increase the
amount of dedicated parkland in
the Plan Area, including but not
limited to designating additional
lands for parkland development.
Policy PF-2.5 Promote joint-use public facilities, such as community centers, libraries, parks, school fields,
playgrounds, gyms, auditoriums,
and aquatic facilities, which can
augment and provide a wider
range of recreation activities and
park amenities to the public.
Goal PF-3 Enhance the natural landscape
and character of Southwest
Fresno by integrating the natural
environment with the built environment.
Policy PF-3.1 Promote tree planting on private
and public property, including
parks and parking lots, to increase
the amount of tree canopy and
enhance the aesthetic of Southwest Fresno.
Policy PF-3.2 Provide a network of multi-use
trails, including along the Fresno
Irrigation District (FID) canal rightof-ways, to provide an off-street trail system that is integrated into
the transportation network while
also providing opportunities for
recreation and access to nature
and parks.
Policy PF-3.3 Utilize landscaping as buffers
between sensitive uses such as
residential areas and schools from
higher intensity development and
transportation per the Citywide
Development Code.
Policy PF-3.4 Encourage the use of low wateruse plant materials and water efficient landscaping initiatives for
the Plan Area.
Goal PF-4 Provide adequate access to medical facilities to support the mental and physical health of Southwest
Fresnans.
Policy PF-4.1 Work with the County of Fresno
Health Department and hospitals
to increase siting and development
of small-scale medical clinics and
larger-scale medical facilities,
particularly within magnet cores.
Goal PF-5 Ensure that the amount of existing and new schools within the Plan Area adequately support
the number of existing and new
residents.
Policy PF-5.1 Work with school districts and
public charter schools in siting new
schools for anticipated potential
increases in the Southwest Fresno
residential population and the resulting impacts on school capacity and enrollment. If necessary, assist
the school districts with future plan
amendments to add new school
sites.
Chapter 6 | Public Facilities 6-13
Goal PF-6 Provide public educational and
training facilities that help foster the pursuit and achievement of higher education and higher
skilled vocations.
Policy PF-6.1 Provide new adult and youth
educational and job training
programs in existing and new
public facilities or institutions, such
as offices and schools within the
Plan Area or in close proximity, that
prepare residents for medium- and
high-wage jobs.
Policy PF-6.2 Support the current initiative to
locate a new job training center
accessible to Southwest Fresno
residents.
Policy PF-6.3 Work with the State Center Community College District’s Board to fund and develop a community
college campus within the Plan’s
southern magnet core/MLK Activity
Center.
Policy PF-6.4 Work with youth-oriented community organizations to develop programs that help nurture leadership and ambition in the youth of Southwest Fresno.
Goal PF-7 Increase opportunities for residents to improve their job skills and employment options.
Policy PF-7.1 Coordinate existing training
programs with the Fresno Regional
Workforce Investment Board,
educational institutions, and public
charter schools to identify program
gaps and areas of overlap.
Policy PF-7.2 Work with local schools, community groups, and non-profits to connect students and residents to
existing training programs.
Policy PF-7.3 Partner with the Workforce Investment Board, or other interested organizations, businesses, schools,
and residents to expand opportunities for youth jobs for after school and summer work, volunteer positions, and other skills development opportunities.
Policy PF-7.4 Establish a workforce policy to
encourage businesses and City
programs in the Plan Area to
prioritize hiring Plan Area residents
in the 93706 zip code, consistent
with applicable laws.
Goal PF-8 Locate parks, schools, and other
public facilities equitably.
Policy PF-8.1 Work with school districts and
public charter schools to establish
joint-use agreements to share
school facilities, such as fields,
playgrounds, gyms, auditoriums,
and aquatic facilities, in order to
provide a wider range of recreation
programs and maximize the
efficient use, maintenance, and
supervision of public facilities.
Policy PF-8.2 Identify, where appropriate, jointuse opportunities to site parks near other City service facilities.
Policy PF-8.3 Work with hospitals and the
County of Fresno Health Department to site medical clinics and medical facilities.
Goal PF-9 Support programs, leadership,
and opportunities for Fresno’s
youth of all ages and abilities.
Policy PF-9.1 Work with public agencies,
community-based organizations,
and school districts to provide
afterschool programs for youth.
Policy PF-9.2 Facilitate connections to schools
and community resources.
Policy PF-9.3 Involve youth directly in planning
for services and programs to
increase program innovation and
youth ownership and interest.
Chapter 7 | Utilities 7-1
UTILITIES
A. INTRODUCTION
Utility services in the vicinity must be enhanced to
support the development of the Southwest Fresno
Specific Plan Area (Plan Area). This area is a mixture
of undeveloped and developed agricultural,
residential, public, commercial and industrial land
uses. Utility providers currently serving existing
needs have plans in place to serve future needs in
accordance with the Fresno General Plan (General
Plan) for the area. Water and sewer services are
provided by the City of Fresno; storm water
drainage systems are constructed and maintained
by the Fresno Metropolitan Flood Control District
(FMFCD); irrigation water is supplied by the
Fresno Irrigation District (FID); electricity and gas
utilities are provided by Pacific Gas and Electric
(PG&E); and telephone, fiber, and cable service is
provided by AT&T/Comcast/Xfinity. Recycled water
is anticipated in the Plan Area (see Figure 7-3). It is currently being provided just west of the Plan Area.
Land use categories in the Plan Area are listed with
total acreage for both existing and planned land
uses in Table 7-1. 7
METHODOLOGY
As described in Chapter 3, Land Use, the City
of Fresno assigns dual land use designations to
new parks, open space, and public facilities land.
Many of the dual land use designations are more
intensive than the primary planned land use. To
best understand and plan for future utility needs,
the utilities analysis compares the Plan Area’s
most intensive land use designations with the
General Plan’s least intensive designations since
this comparison will result in the greatest possible
change in water usage and basin volume.
7-2 Southwest Fresno Specific Plan | Adopted on October 26, 2017 TABLE 7-1 Total Acreage by Land Use Classification for General Plan (GP) and Specific Plan (SP)
LAND USE
CLASSIFICATION
AND ABBREVIATION
GP
(ACRES)
SP
(ACRES)
AREA
Δ (%)
Employment -
Business Park cbp 169.77 0.00 -100%
Commercial -
Community cc 59.85 109.82 83%
Commercial -
General cgh 0.37 0.37 0%
Corridor/Center
Mixed-Use cmx 69.12 96.29 39%
Employment -
Office co 16.11 194.26 1110%
Commercial -
Regional cr 38.20 63.53 66%
Clear Zone cz 0.00 13.86 100%
Commercial -
Highway & Auto hwy 43.26 0.00 -100%
Industrial -
Heavy ih 36.41 0.00 -100%
Industrial - Light il 108.49 0.00 -100%
Neighborhood
Mixed-Use nmx 0.00 136.25 100%
Open Space -
Ponding Basin obp 204.89 209.39 2%
Open Space -
Park orp 3.49 1.61 -54%
Open Space -
Community Park orpc 48.11 1.94 -96%
Open Space -
Neighborhood
Park
orpn 44.36 4.5 -96%
Open Space -
Regional Park orpr 246.17 134.64 -45%
Public Facilities -
Airport pa 1.95 1.95 0%
Public Facilities -
College pc 0.00 23.61 100%
Public Facilities pf 30.03 137.39 358%
Public Facilities
- Neighborhood
Center
pnc 5.44 5.44 0%
Public Facilities -
Church pqch 2.05 0.00 -100%
Public Facilities -
PG&E Substation pqge 3.84 3.84 0%
LAND USE
CLASSIFICATION
AND ABBREVIATION
GP
(ACRES)
SP
(ACRES)
AREA
Δ (%)
Public Facilities -
Hospital pqmh 5.08 5.08 0%
Public Facilities
- Elementary
School
pse 37.59 17.96 -52%
Public Facilities -
Middle School psm 63.66 38.94 -39%
Public Facilities -
Water Recharge pwrb 6.66 6.66 0%
Residential High
Density rh 22.05 0.00 -100%
Residential Low
Density rl 41.39 41.39 0%
Residential
Medium Density rm 828.25 873.82 6%
Residential
Medium High
Density
rmh 32.13 33.79 5%
Residential
Medium Low
Density
rml 534.56 511.80 -4%
Residential
Urban
Neighborhood
Density
run 90.91 107.32 18%
Note: The symbol Δ indicates the delta or change compared between the General Plan and Southwest Fresno Specific Plan.
Sewer and Water Utility Analysis
Land use comparisons between the General Plan
and the Southwest Fresno Specific Plan (the Plan)
were used to estimate changes to planned sewer
and water systems for the Plan Area. The General
Plan considers existing capacity, enhancements to
existing system, as well as future sewer and water
systems anticipated to meet future demand; the
General Plan provided the baseline for the analysis.
Changes in sewer and water demand were derived
from acreage changes by land use with adoption of
the Plan.
Chapter 7 | Utilities 7-3
Constructed utility lines are sized and planned to
meet the requirements of the area at full buildout
as well as other known requirements of the utility
owners. Construction of utility improvements will
depend on sequence and schedule of development. Each land use was given a demand value in million gallons per day (MGpd) for both sewer and
water. Demand calculations per land use under the
General Plan and the Plan were summed separately
and compared individually and the aggregate totals
were checked. These calculations were broken
down for the area within the Plan Area and outside
the Plan Area but within the General Plan Sphere of
Influence (SOI).
Total aggregate capacity is one factor and
largely determines the cost of water supply capital
improvements and treatment plant capacity. In
addition, spatial changes in land use and densities
can have an impact on the water distribution and
wastewater collection system requirements on a
smaller scale. For example, single-family residences
create a far different utility footprint and cost
profile than an urban high density residential
housing complex. These differences were captured
through comparison of expected system designs for
each type of land use.
Storm Drainage Impacts
Total aggregate capacity is important but for storm
drainage cost determination, a far more crucial
capacity is the required capacity for each storm
water basin. There are currently 14 basin areas
in the Plan Area and each of these areas was
analyzed to determine changes from the General
Plan baseline. Pivot table information based on the
GIS analysis provided the acreages by flood control
basin for analysis.
B. WET UTILITIES NEEDS
ANALYSIS AND
IMPROVEMENTS
WATER SUPPLY
The City of Fresno Water Department will serve
the Plan Area. Two water wells in the area and six
wells outside the area supply water to a pipeline
distribution network of more than 47 miles varying
in size from four inches to 14 inches. Current
system capacity, General Plan forecast required
capacity, and the Plan required capacity are 2 MGD,
7.1 MGD, and 7.4 MGD, respectively. Utilizing the
General Plan as the base for comparison, the Plan
requires a 5 percent increase in water demand over
the General Plan buildout. Figure 7-1 illustrates the
existing and proposed water systems.
The utilities are planned on expected future
consumption. Future for water related capital
improvements will need to comply with applicable
federal, state and local requirements, including
the City of Fresno Water Conservation Act. Future
projects are required to consume lower than
expected consumption.
New municipal wells and water delivery pipelines
will be required in the Plan Area to serve new
growth; these new wells and pipelines were already
identified as necessary in the General Plan. Facilities will be sized to provide delivery capacity to meet water demands during peak conditions and at
the same time meet fire protection needs. Peaking
factors, fire flow requirements, and a system
pressure range, which must be utilized in designing
the facilities, are set out in the City’s standard
specifications. Table 7-2 compares the anticipated
water usage per land use in the Plan to those in the
General Plan.
7-4 Southwest Fresno Specific Plan | Adopted on October 26, 2017 Plan Area Proposed Water Lines - 12” or Greater
Existing Water Lines Proposed Water Lines - 8”
Proposed Water Well
NOTE: STREET LINE WORK OMITTED FOR CLARITY
0 0.25mi 0.25mi
FIGURE 7-1 FIGURE 7-1 Proposed Water Improvements Proposed Water Improvements Note: Street line work omitted for clarity.
Chapter 7 | Utilities 7-5
TABLE 7-2 Comparison of General Plan (GP) and Specific Plan (SP) Anticipated Water Usage per Land Use Classification
LAND USE
CLASSIFICATION
AND ABBREVIATION
GP
WATER
USAGE
(MGPD)
SP
WATER
USAGE
(MGPD)
USAGE
Δ (%)
Public Facilities -
PG&E Substation pqge 0.007 0.007 0%
Public Facilities -
Hospital pqmh 0.027 0.027 0%
Public Facilities
- Elementary
School
pse 0.098 0.047 -52%
Public Facilities -
Middle School psm 0.166 0.101 -39%
Public Facilities -
Water Recharge pwrb 0.000 0.000 0%
Residential High
Density rh 0.079 0.000 -100%
Residential Low
Density rl 0.066 0.066 0%
Residential
Medium Density rm 3.106 3.277 6%
Residential
Medium High
Density
rmh 0.143 0.000 -100%
Residential
Medium Low
Density
rml 1.443 1.382 -4%
Residential
Urban
Neighborhood
Density
run 0.482 0.569 18%
Total 7.063 7.411 5%
LAND USE
CLASSIFICATION
AND ABBREVIATION
GP
WATER
USAGE
(MGPD)
SP
WATER
USAGE
(MGPD)
USAGE
Δ (%)
Employment -
Business Park cbp 0.289 0.0 -100%
Commercial -
Community cc 0.102 0.187 83%
Commercial -
General cgh 0.001 0.001 0%
Corridor/Center
Mixed-Use cmx 0.118 0.164 39%
Employment -
Office co 0.027 0.331 1110%
Commercial -
Regional cr 0.065 0.108 66%
Clear Zone cz 0.000 0.000 0%
Commercial -
Highway & Auto hwy 0.000 0.000 0%
Industrial -
Heavy ih 0.044 0.000 -100%
Industrial - Light il 0.195 0.000 -100%
Neighborhood
Mixed-Use nmx 0.000 0.409 100%
Open Space -
Ponding Basin obp 0.051 0.052 2%
Open Space -
Park orp 0.005 0.002 -54%
Open Space -
Community Park orpc 0.072 0.002 -96%
Open Space -
Neighborhood
Park
orpn 0.067 0.007 -90%
Open Space -
Regional Park orpr 0.369 0.202 -38%
Public Facilities -
Airport pa 0.003 0.003 0%
Public Facilities -
College pc 0.000 0.066 100%
Public Facilities pf 0.051 0.234 358%
Public Facilities
- Neighborhood
Center
pnc 0.007 0.007 0%
Public Facilities -
Church pqch 0.002 0.000 -100%
Note: The symbol Δ indicates the delta or change compared between the General Plan and Southwest Fresno Specific Plan.
7-6 Southwest Fresno Specific Plan | Adopted on October 26, 2017
WASTEWATER
The Fresno-Clovis Regional Wastewater Reclamation Facility (RWRF) serves the Plan Area.
Wastewater generated from homes and businesses
in the Fresno/Clovis metro area travels through
1,500 miles of sanitary sewer lines to the facility. The RWRF is located at Jensen and Cornelia Avenues near Southwest Fresno, approximately
three miles west of the Plan Area. Currently, the
City of Fresno’s wastewater collection in the Plan
Area has over 100 miles of sewer lines ranging in
size from six inches to 60 inches in diameter and
four sewage lift stations. The Plan Area is currently
planned to be served by four separate sewer areas.
A Sanitary Sewer Feasibility Study may be required
prior to development. Cost of this planning effort
is not included in the cost estimates provided in
this section of the report. Figure 7-2 illustrates the
existing and proposed wastewater systems.
Some areas in the Plan Area utilize septic systems.
New development in the Plan Area will provide
outlying areas, which are not currently served with
sewer collection, the opportunity to connect to the
City’s sewer system. Developers will be required to
build, or contribute towards design and construction, of collection systems sufficient to serve the ultimate required capacity at Plan buildout.
For purposes of preparing the Plan, the existing
systems and the added sewer requirements, based
upon proposed land uses, have been considered.
A combination gravity flow and force main system
is assumed and reflected in the estimates. The
current configuration utilizes four lift stations in
the service area. The existing four stations will be
upgraded and two additional stations have been
included for this Plan. Alternative wastewater
conveyance systems will also be explored. One
such alternative will be a combined gravity and lift
station system where the majority of the Plan Area
would gravity flow to the regional treatment plant.
Table 7-3 compares the anticipated wastewater
generated per land use in the Plan to those in the
General Plan.
RECYCLED WATER USE
Recycled water, an important water source for the
City of Fresno, is not yet utilized in the Plan Area.
The Plan presents an opportunity to integrate recycled water use into the associated improvements with buildout of the City of Fresno’s recycled water
system. Green field installation of a distribution
system at the initial development stage provides
opportunity to plan optimum recycled water
utilization within the Plan Area. The conceptual
plans for the recycled water distribution system are
shown in Figure 7-3. The recycled water plans are
one area where the planned system was increased.
The City park in the southwest portion of the Plan
Area was not planned to be served by the recycled
water system. Cost of a line to service this property
has been included in the cost estimate.
STORM SYSTEM
The FMFCD serves both the existing City and
County area with inlets, pipes and storage basins
which provide flood control for the area. There are
currently 14 drainage areas established in whole
or part within the Plan Area. The drainage analysis
covers 5,246 acres of the Plan Area and adjacent
Sphere of Influence area. An additional area of 613
acres was studied and comprised of (1) upstream
tributary areas which drain into the Plan Area and
(2) additional drainage basin area downstream
of the Plan Area where Plan Area water flows to
basins outside the Plan Area. Figure 7-4 illustrates
the existing and proposed storm water systems.
FMFCD has based planning for the 14 drainage
areas using the General Plan land use classifications
for each drainage area. Beyond planning, the basins
have been located, sized and in most cases basin
property acquisition has been completed. The Plan
must be analyzed and evaluated for impacts on
the aggregate area as well as for each of the 14
planned basin areas. FMFCD guidelines allow a 20
percent change in required volume before FMFCD
is required to resize the basin and either enlarge
or change the location of the affected basin. The
analysis in Table 7-4 shows all of the 14 FMFCD
drainage basins are sized sufficiently for the Plan as
compared to the General Plan.
Chapter 7 | Utilities 7-7
Proposed Wastewater Lines - 12” or Greater
Existing Wastewater Lines Proposed Sewer Capital Enhancement Existing Wastewater
Lift Station
Proposed Wastewater Lines - 8”
Plan Area
0 0.25mi 0.25mi
FIGURE 7-2 FIGURE 7-2 Proposed Wastewater Improvements Proposed Wastewater Improvements Note: Street line work omitted for clarity.
7-8 Southwest Fresno Specific Plan | Adopted on October 26, 2017 TABLE 7-3 Comparison of General Plan (GP) and Specific Plan (SP) Anticipated Wastewater Usage per Land Use Classification
LAND USE
CLASSIFICATION
AND ABBREVIATION
GP
WATER
USAGE
(MGPD)
SP
WATER
USAGE
(MGPD)
USAGE
Δ (%)
Employment -
Business Park cbp 0.136 0.000 -100%
Commercial -
Community cc 0.048 0.088 83%
Commercial -
General cgh 0.000 0.000 0%
Corridor/Center
Mixed-Use cmx 0.249 0.347 39%
Employment -
Office co 0.016 0.195 1110%
Commercial -
Regional cr 0.036 0.060 66%
Clear Zone cz 0.000 0.000 0%
Commercial -
Highway & Auto hwy 0.000 0.000 0%
Industrial - Heavy ih 0.042 0.000 -100%
Industrial - Light il 0.130 0.000 -100%
Neighborhood
Mixed-Use nmx 0.000 0.273 100%
Open Space -
Ponding Basin obp 0.051 0.052 2%
Open Space -
Park orp 0.001 0.000 -100%
Open Space -
Community Park orpc 0.024 0.001 -96%
Open Space -
Neighborhood
Park
orpn 0.000 0.000 0%
Open Space -
Regional Park orpr 0.369 0.229 -38%
Public Facilities -
Airport pa 0.001 0.001 0%
Public Facilities -
College pc 0.000 0.033 100%
Public Facilities pf 0.018 0.082 358%
Public Facilities
- Neighborhood
Center
pnc 0.002 0.002 0%
Public Facilities -
Church pqch 0.001 0.000 -100%
LAND USE
CLASSIFICATION
AND ABBREVIATION
GP
WATER
USAGE
(MGPD)
SP
WATER
USAGE
(MGPD)
USAGE
Δ (%)
Public Facilities -
PG&E Substation pqge 0.002 0.002 0%
Public Facilities -
Hospital pqmh 0.020 0.020 0%
Public Facilities
- Elementary
School
pse 0.026 0.013 -52%
Public Facilities -
Middle School psm 0.045 0.027 -39%
Public Facilities -
Water Recharge pwrb 0.000 0.000 0%
Residential High
Density rh 0.075 0.000 -100%
Residential Low
Density rl 0.025 0.025 0%
Residential
Medium Density rm 0.745 0.786 6%
Residential
Medium High
Density
rmh 0.090 0.095 5%
Residential
Medium Low
Density
rml 0.909 0.870 -4%
Residential
Urban
Neighborhood
Density
run 0.364 0.429 18%
Total 3.118 3.436 10%
Note: The symbol Δ indicates the delta or change compared between the General Plan and Southwest Fresno Specific Plan.
Chapter 7 | Utilities 7-9
Planned Recycled Water Main
FIGURE 7-3 Proposed Recycled Water Improvements
Note: Street line work omitted for clarity.
7-10 Southwest Fresno Specific Plan | Adopted on October 26, 2017 Note: Street line work omitted for clarity.
FIGURE 7-4 Proposed Stormwater Improvements
Chapter 7 | Utilities 7-11
IRRIGATION
The FID currently serves portions of the Plan Area.
Irrigation water is provided by six FID facilities
including the Kearney Avenue Basin No. 189 and
five canal and/or pipeline facilities. While no
additional capacity is required with implementation
of the Plan, the irrigation system remains a factor
and in place for three important reasons.
1. Existing service is required throughout
the development period. In-holdings and
undeveloped parcels still require irrigation
water.
2. Irrigation facilities serve as a water
transmission function across the area.
This transmission capacity will be required
following full buildout of the Plan.
3. The FID irrigation system serves a dual
function: A) delivery of irrigation water,
and B) storm water transmission during the
wet season. The irrigation facilities serve a
vital role in the storm water system as that
capacity for conveying irrigation water is
utilized to convey storm water during the
wet season.
Improvements in the irrigation system will be
required with implementation of the Plan.
Modifications will be required so that facilities are
consistent with an urban setting. These improvement costs are not controlled nor borne by the FID, but by developers which lead in determining the
cost of the associated improvements. Those costs
are included in general improvement budgets such
as street construction and storm water projects.
This is appropriate as no primary irrigation benefit
accrues to the utility owner. All work must meet FID
standards and requirements for an urban setting.
Whether a canal is preserved as-is, improved, or
replaced with a pipeline is determined by FID.
In addition, FID is an interested participant and
remains the facility owner involved in planning,
design, and approving improvements, but costs for
these improvements are included in the development projects.
TABLE 7-4 Comparison of Existing and Required
Drainage System Capacity by Drainage
Area for General Plan (GP) and Specific
Plan (SP)
DRAINAGE
AREA
PROPOSED
PLAN
WATERSHED
AREAa
(ACRES)
GP
REQUIRED
BASIN
VOLUME
(ACREFEET)
SP
REQUIRED
BASIN
VOLUME
(ACREFEET)
Δ(%)
Basin AR 0.5 0.23 0.23 0.0%
Basin AS 637 126.06 130.79 3.8%
Basin AU 376 70.76 81.07 14.6%
Basin AV 526 178.00 148.92 -16.3%
Basin CEb 0 0.0 0.0% 0.0%
Basin CP 311 61.97 53.82 -13.2%
Basin CQ 220 46.76 52.25 11.8%
Basin FF 273 62.68 62.68 0.0%
Basin II1 168 39.88 41.51 4.1%
Basin KK 250 79.83 73.61 -7.8%
Basin NN 789 170.92 163.35 -4.4%
Basin OO 113 33.49 33.46 0.0%
Basin RR 12.4 1.41 1.41 0.0%
Basin SS 520 117.44 119.28 1.6%
Basin TT 563 140.39 138.85 -3.9%
Basin ZZ 225 57.59 61.34 6.5%
EXEMPT 101 43.86 43.74 -.3%
OUT OF
DRAINAGE
AREA
774 115.03 144.97 26.0%
Total 5,859 1,346.3 1347.3 0.1%
Note:
a. Denotes watershed area (acres) located within Plan Area. b. Drainage area CE is located within the Plan Area; however, the Drainage Area has no contributing watershed within the Plan Area.
The symbol Δ indicates the delta or change compared between the General Plan and Southwest Fresno Specific Plan. 7-12 Southwest Fresno Specific Plan | Adopted on October 26, 2017 C. DRY UTILITIES NEEDS
ANALYSIS AND
IMPROVEMENTS
ELECTRICAL
The Plan Area is currently serviced by PG&E, who
operates and maintains transmission, switching
substation(s), and distribution lines to serve
the Plan Area. Implementation of the Plan will
require expansion of the electrical distribution
and transmission related facilities; this is not a
change from what was anticipated in the General
Plan. In addition to adding new distribution feeds,
the range of electric system improvements
needed to accommodate growth may include
upgrading existing substation and transmission
line equipment, expanding existing substation(s)
to their ultimate build-out capacity, building new
substations and interconnecting transmission lines.
The new development will be responsible for the
costs associated with the necessary expansion and
upgrading of the systems.
GAS SYSTEMS
PG&E also operates and maintains natural gas
transmission and distribution lines within the
project site. Implementation of the Plan will require
the expansion of distribution and gas transmission
and related facilities to serve the Plan Area. The
new development will be responsible for the costs
associated with the necessary expansion and
upgrading of these systems.
D. COMMUNICATIONS
AT&T, Comcast, and Xfinity (all AT&T companies)
provide telephone, fiber, and cable services to
the Plan Area. Implementation of the Plan will
require expansion of communications systems to
serve the Plan Area. The new development will be
responsible for the costs associated with the necessary expansion and upgrading of any authorized systems.
Chapter 7 | Utilities 7-13
E. GOALS AND POLICIES
Goal U-1 Maintain, and if necessary,
upgrade and augment utilities
to support new development
within the Plan Area and protect
the health, safety, and welfare of
existing and new residents and
businesses.
Policy U-1.1 Coordinate the installation and
upgrading of utilities between the
City and County.
Policy U-1.2 Connect utilities, especially in
previously undeveloped outlying
areas, to the City’s existing utility
system as a part of new development.
Policy U-1.3 Require developers to build or
contribute towards the design
and construction of expanded and
upgraded utilities to serve new
development projects such as
sewer collection systems, electric
system improvements, communication systems, and natural gas transmission and distribution lines.
Policy U-1.4 Maintain a sustainable, safe and
effective wet utilities system,
including wastewater, recycled
water, and irrigation, to provide a
high level of wet utilities while also
meeting high environmental quality
standards.
Policy U-1.5 Provide adequate sewage treatment and disposal by utilizing the City of Fresno’s regional wastewater treatment plant for all existing and new development within the
Plan Area.
Policy U-1.6 Explore the opportunity to
integrate recycled water use into
the associated improvements with
buildout of the City’s recycled water system, including the potential installation of a distribution system
on green field.
Policy U-1.7 Require that all new arterial street
construction include undergrounding of electrical service and communications lines.
7-14 Southwest Fresno Specific Plan | Adopted on October 26, 2017 Chapter 8 | Implementation 8-1
IMPLEMENTATION
A. INTRODUCTION
Private property owners and developers will
undertake much of the work and make most of
the investment needed to realize the vision for
the Southwest Fresno Specific Plan (the Plan).
Chapter 3, Land Use, and Chapter 4, Development
Regulations, of the Plan will guide and regulate
new development to ensure that it achieves the
community’s vision.
The private development, however, will require
investments in public facilities and infrastructure—
complete streets, water and sewer, stormwater
drainage, and community parks. This chapter establishes the funding and financing strategies that the City will use to ensure that new development pays
its fair share of the costs for public facilities and
services. The provisions included in this chapter
incorporate existing City requirements, including
development impact fees and community facilities
districts for development projects.
The community’s vision includes not just areas
planned for new development but also the existing neighborhoods and commercial corridors.
However, without development impact fees, the
existing neighborhoods could be waiting a long
time for their share of the City’s general fund
to pay for improvements to public facilities and
infrastructure. Thus, this chapter also identifies
tools with which neighborhoods can help pay to get
improvements sooner rather than later.
Finally, the community that residents experience is
much more than streets and buildings, even though
the Plan, by its nature, focuses on the built environment. Therefore, this chapter presents several economic development strategies through which
residents can increase their economic security and
enhance the community’s quality of life.
8 This chapter is organized into the following
sections:
A. Introduction
B. General Implementation Strategy
C. Funding and Financing Tools
D. Economic Development Strategies
E. Implementation Action Plan
This chapter provides a framework for
implementation. Even though parts of it provide
specific details, it is still just a framework. It is fully expected that as conditions and market forces
change over time, the City may adjust the details
as needed to keep working toward the vision for
Southwest Fresno.
8-2 Southwest Fresno Specific Plan | Adopted on October 26, 2017 B. GENERAL
IMPLEMENTATION
STRATEGY
PRINCIPLES
The general approach to implementing the Plan
incorporates several guiding principles:
■ Development Needs to Pay Its Own Way.
The City of Fresno will not subsidize new
development. Development projects will pay
their fair share for public facilities and services
using developer-constructed improvements,
development impact fees (DIFs), community
facilities districts (CFDs), or other funding and
financing mechanisms.
■ The Purpose of the Specific Plan is to Attract
Investment and Development. The community
wants new investment and new development:
attractive neighborhoods, vibrant commercial
districts, and a pleasant and appealing public
realm. Development standards, DIFs, and other
requirements should not be so onerous as to
inhibit or discourage the new development
that the community desires.
■ Public Facility and Infrastructure
Improvements are Needed in Existing
Neighborhoods. The Plan should provide
ways to improve the public facilities and
infrastructure in existing neighborhoods
and commercial areas to a similar quality as
will be required for new neighborhoods and
commercial areas. However, it is recognized
that there are funding constraints and
improvements to existing neighborhoods and
commercial areas may take time.
■ Implementation Should be Coordinated with
the Annual Budget Process. To avoid being
the proverbial plan on a shelf, implementation
must be coordinated with the City’s annual
budget process. The implementation
framework should be laid out by fiscal year to
ensure that individual implementation actions
can be programed into departmental work
programs and that adequate funding can be
budgeted each year.
■ Infill Development Projects Are Important
to Catalyze Buildout of the Specific Plan. The
City should incentivize initial infill development
projects to prove the market demand for
infill projects in the plan area. Incentives
could include fee waivers, support for grant
applications, and shifting of some costs to
assessment districts.
■ Programs and Services are as Important
to the Vision as Streets and Buildings. The
implementation plan should include necessary
programs and services, not just capital
investments for facilities and infrastructure.
■ Ongoing Operations and Maintenance is as
Important as Constructing Improvements. The
Plan needs to provide a mechanism to pay for
ongoing operations and maintenance for new
or improved public facilities and services.
■ Development of the Plan Does Not Require
the Use of Eminent Domain. The Plan does
not contemplate the broad-spread use of
eminent domain as an implementation tool as
there is an abundant amount of vacant land to
accommodate proposed new uses. Generally,
street widenings and site acquisitions for uses
such as schools can be accomplished through
cooperative property acquisition where the
property owner is paid fair market value.
Eminent domain is only used as a last resort in
situations where no agreement can be made.
INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK
To oversee the implementation of the Plan, the
City should establish an implementation oversight
committee comprised of residents, businesses, and
representatives of civic organizations in the Plan
Area. At a minimum, this committee should collaborate with City staff to prepare an annual report to the Mayor and City Council on the progress of
implementation and recommending subsequent
implementation measures, including future capital
improvements. Beyond the annual report, the
City may want to consider tasking this committee
with reviewing and commenting on proposed
development projects. The City could also task this
committee with responsibilities related to branding
and marketing the Southwest Fresno community.
Chapter 8 | Implementation 8-3
C. FUNDING AND
FINANCING TOOLS
This section identifies the funding and financing
tools that are anticipated to be used for implementing the Plan. This list is not exhaustive, and new tools may be made available by the legislature.
If a new or different funding or financing tool is
available at the time of implementation, the most
effective tool should be used.
ESTIMATED INFRASTRUCTURE COSTS
In preparing the Plan, the costs to provide major
infrastructure were estimated. Table 8-1 below
provides the rough cost estimates for the Plan
Area. In addition, Table 8-1 provides rough cost
estimates to provide infrastructure for buildout of
the adjacent areas that are within the City’s Sphere
of Influence (SOI). The funding and financing tools
and the implementation action plan are focused on
the infrastructure and estimated costs in the Plan
Area.
However, the cost for infrastructure in the adjacent
SOI areas are provided for context in case future
applications are filed to annex SOI areas into the
city limit. Specific costs and the mechanism to
pay for those costs will need to be decided on a
case-by-case basis for each annexation that is filed.
TYPE OF INFRASTRUCTURE ESTIMATED COST (PLAN AREA) ESTIMATED COST (SOI) Water $21,611,000 $22,289,000
Recycled Water $2,336,000 $2,184,000
Storm Drain $13,722,000 $6,862,000
WasteWater $22,951,000 $24,711,000
General Costs $6,062,000 $5,605,000
TOTAL $66,682,000 $61,651,000
TABLE 8-1 Estimated Wet Infrastructure Costs
NEW DEVELOPMENT
Developer-Constructed/Funded
Improvements
For public facilities and infrastructure on or
adjacent to a site proposed for development or
new construction, the preferred method to pay for
the improvements is for the developer to construct
or pay for the improvement as a condition of
approval.
In some cases, the development of one or more
parcels in the Plan Area may require the construction of off-site infrastructure improvements, the size of which may be larger than what is needed
to serve just the proposed development. In such
cases, if the City does not have the funds available
to pay for the additional infrastructure capacity, the
property owner or developer may agree, through a
development agreement, to pay for the full cost of
the off-site infrastructure improvement and to be
repaid as additional development occurs.
The development agreement would stipulate the
terms of such repayment. If the cost of infrastructure improvements is to be repaid to a property owner, developer, or other entity that paid the
upfront cost, the City may prohibit other development under the Plan until the project applicant has paid the required infrastructure cost repayment fee
in accordance with the terms of the development
agreement.
8-4 Southwest Fresno Specific Plan | Adopted on October 26, 2017 Development Impact Fees
Development impact fees (DIFs) are a one-time
charge to new development imposed under the
Mitigation Fee Act (California Government Code,
Section 66000, et seq.). These fees are charged
to new development to mitigate impacts resulting
from the development activity, and cannot be used
to fund existing deficiencies. This means that new
development can only pay for part of the improvement cost for projects that benefit existing uses as well as new development and the City must find
another funding source to cover the costs for the
improvements that benefit the existing uses.
Impact fees must be adopted based on findings
of reasonable relationships between the development paying the fee, the need for the fee, and the use of fee revenues. The City of Fresno has DIFs
for police, fire, parks, and streets impacts. The
implementation plan calls for the City to update
the impact fees for the Plan Area based on updated
infrastructure cost estimates.
The City can allow for credits and reimbursements
for capital projects funded by an impact fee that
are constructed privately by developers and
dedicated to the City. Depending on the specific
implementation guidelines of the fee program,
a development project could choose to dedicate
land or make certain improvements and receive
a credit against the impact fee due. A “credit” is
the amount counted against the developer’s fee
obligation. A “reimbursement” is the amount that
exceeds the developer’s fee obligation.
Because each development pays only for its fair
share of a public facility or infrastructure improvement, the City may not have the necessary funding to pay for improvements until other developments
are approved and constructed. If the City has funds
available, it can construct the improvements and
get repaid over time. If the City does not have
funds available, it might be the case that a community facilities district, which can bond against future revenue, would be a better funding mechanism
than a DIF.
Community Facilities District
Community facilities districts (CFDs) can fund the
planning, design, purchase, construction, expansion, improvement, or rehabilitation of capital facilities, defined as having a useful life of five or
more years. CFDs can also fund the provision of
a variety of public services, such as public safety,
parks and recreation, schools, library and cultural
facilities, landscape maintenance and lighting, flood
control, and site remediation.
The Mello-Roos Community Facilities Act of
1982 (Government Code Section 53311 et seq.)
authorizes the establishment of CFDs. CFDs levy a
special tax. This tax may be applied to the value of
each property, rather than assessed based on the
level of special benefit received. However, because
it is a special tax, a two-thirds majority vote is
required to approve the levy of the special tax. If
the district has twelve or more registered voters,
the election polls voters, with each having an equal
vote. If there are less than twelve registered voters,
the election polls property owners, with each vote
weighted by acreage owned within the district
boundary. Properties within the district need not
necessarily be contiguous. Finally, establishing
a CFD requires only a general description of the
facilities, services, and costs associated with the
district, not the detailed engineer’s report required
for assessment districts.
CFDs may fund the construction of the following
types of facilities:
■ Local park, recreation, parkway, and openspace facilities ■ Elementary and secondary school sites and
structures
■ Libraries
■ Childcare facilities
■ Transmission/distribution facilities for water,
natural gas, telephone, electrical energy, and
cable television
■ Flood, storm protection, and storm drainage
facilities
Chapter 8 | Implementation 8-5
■ Other governmental facilities the legislative
body creating the district is authorized by law
to contribute revenue toward, construct, own,
or operate
■ Work to bring public or private buildings or real
property into compliance with seismic safety
standards and regulations
■ CFDs may also fund the following types of
services:
■ Police protection services
■ Fire protection and suppression services and
ambulance and paramedic services
■ Recreation program services, library services,
maintenance services for elementary and
secondary school sites and structures, and the
operation and maintenance of museums and
cultural facilities
■ Maintenance of parks, parkways, and open
space
■ Flood and storm protection services including,
but not limited to, the operation and
maintenance of storm drainage systems and
sandstorm protection systems
■ Removal or remedial action services for the
cleanup of any hazardous substance released
or threatened to be released into the environment
One key advantage of a CFD is that it can issue
bonds, secured by the anticipated future tax
revenue. This allows improvements to be constructed sooner, rather than later. They can also be beneficial to developers because they do not
have to recoup the cost of the improvements from
the sales price of each new house or building. In
contrast, with DIFs, the developer borrows the
cost of the DIFs and must reflect that cost in the
sales price. Finally, unlike other types of bonds,
it is the CFD and ultimately the property owners
responsible for repaying the bonds. The City is not
directly liable.
Enhanced Infrastructure Finance Districts
Legislation in 2015 enabled the formation of
Enhanced Infrastructure Financing Districts
(EIFDs). An EIFD diverts local property tax revenues
(through tax-increment financing) to either pay
directly for the construction of infrastructure and
public facility improvements, or to issue bonds to
finance those improvements. No public vote is required to establish an EIFD, but a 55 percent voter approval is required to issue bonds. However, EIFDs
cannot divert property tax increment revenues
from schools and can only capture tax increment
from taxing jurisdictions that agree to forego their
incremental property tax revenue. In the case of
Southwest Fresno, the City of Fresno would need
to agree to forego the increase in property tax
revenue that is generated by increase in property
values in the EIFD.
EIFDs can fund:
■ Roads, highways and bridges
■ Parking facilities
■ Transit stations
■ Sewage and water facilities
■ Flood control and drainage projects
■ Solid waste disposal
■ Parks and libraries
■ Child care facilities
■ Brownfield restoration
■ Environmental mitigation
■ Military base reuse projects
■ Affordable housing
■ Private industrial buildings
■ Transit oriented development projects
■ Projects carrying out sustainable community
strategies
8-6 Southwest Fresno Specific Plan | Adopted on October 26, 2017
EXISTING DEVELOPMENT
The preceding funding and financing mechanisms
can technically be used for improvements in
existing neighborhoods and commercial areas.
However, the developer constructed/funded
improvements and DIFs would only apply to new
infill development projects, and CFDs and EIFDs
may prove unworkable because they must be approved by voters in the district. The tools described below have more relevance for funding and
financing improvements in existing neighborhoods
and commercial areas.
General Fund
The most direct way to fund public facilities and
infrastructure improvements in existing neighborhoods and commercial areas is through the City’s general fund. However, implementation projects
in Southwest Fresno must compete with demands
for general fund investment in every other part of
the City. Furthermore, the amount of funding that
might be available through the general fund could
be quite limited.
Assessment Districts
In existing neighborhoods and commercial areas,
groups of property owners may desire to have
public facilities and infrastructure improvements
sooner rather than waiting for general fund monies
to become available. Assessment districts could
help finance the construction of public improvements on public property, public rights-of-way, and public easements in these areas.
The public must pay for the portions of the
improvements that provide general benefit to the
public at large, but real property that receives
a special benefit may be assessed for the costs,
proportional to the level of benefit received. Three
different provisions of state law authorize assessment:
■ Improvement Bond Act of 1915 (Streets and
Highways Code Sections 8500 et seq.)
■ Improvement Act of 1911 (Streets and Highways Code Sections 5000 et seq.) ■ Municipal Improvement Act of 1913 (Streets
and Highways Code Sections 10000 et seq.),
which contains only provisions for establishing
assessment districts
Assessment districts are intended to finance
construction of physical improvements. They
cannot pay for operations and maintenance or
additional services. If additional improvements are
desired after an assessment district is established,
the entire process is required for those additional
improvements.
Assessment districts may be used to finance
improvements in one of two general ways: 1) the
assessments may repay the City for the upfront
costs of improvements and 2) the City may also
issue bonds pursuant to an assessment district
and use the proceeds to fund the infrastructure
improvements and use the assessments to repay
the bonds.
Generally, assessment districts can be used to
finance these improvements:
■ Local streets
■ Streetlights
■ Parks
■ Water supply and distribution facilities
■ Gas and electric power
■ Landscaping
■ Sidewalks
■ Sanitary sewers
■ Flood control and drainage improvements
■ Parking facilities
The authorizing statutes referenced above set forth
procedures for establishing assessment districts.
Under existing State law, however, establishment of
an assessment district cannot occur if a majority of
the affected property owners object (weighted by
the value of the proposed assessment).
Prior to holding a vote on an assessment district,
the City must pay for engineering design and
construction documents and bid the project out. If
a majority of property owners rejects the assessment district, then the City is responsible for the Chapter 8 | Implementation 8-7
cost of developing the construction documents.
Thus, establishing an assessment district usually
requires a great deal of time working with property
owners so that the City is relatively certain that
they will not vote against establishing the district.
Contractual Assessment District
In a typical assessment district, a municipality
determines the cost of public improvements and
places a levy on each property in the area unless
a majority of property owners object. In contrast,
a contractual assessment district is completely
voluntary. A contractual assessment district could
be an alternative when a majority of property owners in an area do not want to pay for public facility and infrastructure improvements, but a sizeable
number of them do.
A municipality establishes a contractual assessment
district program, creating guidelines that identify
the types of improvements, costs, and locations. If
and when a property owner wants to participate,
the owner can voluntarily enter into a contractual
assessment. Because the program is completely
voluntary and because it applies to only one
property at a time, there is no voting, balloting,
or engineer’s report, as is required with a conventional assessment district. Typically, the program authorizes the City Manager or some other staff
position to execute the contract on behalf of the
City, thus eliminating the need for a public hearing.
These assessments are authorized by Contractual
Assessments (part of the Improvement Act of 1911)
(Streets and Highways Code Sections 5898.10 et
seq.). Although this authority has existed for 100
years, this code section became better known
with the passage of AB 811 (2008, Levine), which
amended the code to allow contractual assessments to pay for energy efficiency and renewable energy improvements, most commonly for residential solar energy retrofits.
To establish a contractual assessment district,
the City Council would first adopt a resolution
indicating its intention to do so. The resolution of
intention should:
■ Include a statement that the City proposes
to make voluntary contractual assessment
financing available to property owners
■ Identify the kinds of public works that may be
financed
■ Describe the boundaries of the area within
which voluntary contractual assessments may
be entered into
■ Briefly describe the proposed arrangements
for financing the program, including a brief
description of criteria for determining the
creditworthiness of a property owner
Prior to the public hearing to adopt a resolution,
which establishes the contractual assessment
district, the City would have to prepare a report
containing:
■ A map showing the boundaries of the
territory within which voluntary contractual
assessments are proposed to be offered
■ A draft contract specifying the terms and
conditions that would be agreed to by
a property owner within the voluntary
contractual assessment area and the City
■ A statement of City policies concerning
voluntary contractual assessments including:
■ Identification of types of improvements that
may be financed through the use of contractual
assessments
■ Identification of a City official authorized to
enter into voluntary contractual assessments
on behalf of the City
■ A maximum aggregate dollar amount of
voluntary contractual assessments
■ A method for setting requests from property
owners for financing through voluntary
contractual assessments in priority order in the
event that requests appear likely to exceed the
authorization amount
■ A plan for raising a capital amount required to
pay for work performed pursuant to voluntary
contractual assessments. The plan may include
8-8 Southwest Fresno Specific Plan | Adopted on October 26, 2017 amounts to be advanced by the public agency
through funds available to it from any source.
The plan may include the sale of a bond or
bonds or other financing relationship.
■ The plan shall include a statement of or
method for determining the interest rate and
time period during which contracting property
owners would pay any assessment. The plan
shall provide for any reserve fund or funds.
The plan shall provide for the apportionment
of all or any portion of the costs incidental to
financing, administration, and collection of
the voluntary contractual assessment program
among the consenting property owners and
the City.
The authorizing statue provides other requirements
as well as the standards for noticing and conducting
a required public hearing.
ONGOING OPERATIONS AND
MAINTENANCE
Whether in new development areas or existing
neighborhoods, public facility and infrastructure
improvements will require ongoing operations and
maintenance. Landscaping and lighting maintenance districts (LLMD) can fund the construction of certain public improvements and the operation and
maintenance of public improvements. A landscaping and lighting maintenance district is one alternative to the general fund for paying those costs.
Landscaping and Lighting Maintenance
District
LLMDs could be an effective way to fund the
ongoing maintenance (or even the construction) of
public realm improvements. LLMDs are authorized
by the Landscaping and Lighting Act of 1972
(Streets and Highways Code Section 22500 et seq.).
An LLMD requires an annual assessment process
for any assessments other than previously approved assessments to pay previously approved and issued debt. The annual assessment process
is similar to that used to establish assessment
districts.
The improvements and services provided by
LLMDs include:
■ Landscaping
■ Statuary, fountains, and other ornamental
structures
■ Public lighting, including traffic signals
■ Appurtenant facilities, including grading,
clearing, and removal of debris; the installation
or construction of curbs, gutters, walls,
sidewalks, or paving; or water, irrigation,
drainage, or electrical facilities
■ Park or recreational improvements
■ Land preparation
■ Lights, playground equipment, play courts, and
public restrooms
■ The maintenance or servicing or both of any of
the foregoing
■ Acquisition of land for park, recreational, or
open-space purposes
■ Acquisition of existing improvements
■ Acquisition or construction of any community
center, municipal auditorium or hall, or similar
public facility for the indoor presentation of
performances, shows, stage productions, fairs,
conventions, exhibitions, pageants, meetings,
parties, or other group events, activities, or
functions, whether those events, activities, or
functions are public or private
LLMDs can be expanded over time, following a
process similar to that used to establish the district.
The City may condition development activity in
the Plan Area on annexation into a LLMD if one
is established for all or a part of the Plan Area.
An LLMD may also be established to generate
revenues from throughout the Plan Area to fund
the operation and maintenance of a public open
space in or around the Plan Area.
Chapter 8 | Implementation 8-9
STATE FUNDING SOURCES
The following describes state funds that could be
used for transportation-related projects. They are
available from the Transportation Development
Act (TDA) and from various state programs and
agencies, including the California Department of
Transportation (Caltrans) and the California Office
of Traffic Safety (OTS).
Sustainable Transportation Planning Grant
Program – Sustainable Communities
The Sustainable Transportation Planning Grant is a
new program consolidating and realigning previous
Caltrans funding programs. Caltrans Environmental
Justice & Community-Based Transportation Planning Grants, and Transit Planning Grants merged into one program, “Sustainable Communities.”
Similar to the previous programs, transportation
planning projects that are intended to improve a
multimodal transportation network and reduce
greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, such as complete
street plans and pedestrian and bicycle safety
enhancement plans, are eligible. Construction
and maintenance projects are not eligible.
Eligible applicants include Metropolitan Planning
Organizations and Regional Transportation Planning
Agencies (MPO/RTPAs), Transit Agencies, Cities,
Counties, and Native American Tribal Governments.
This program is funded by the Federal Transit
Administration and the State Highway Account.
Approximately $8.3 million was available for the
grant cycle (Fiscal Year 2015-16). At least an 11.47
percent local match is required.
More information is available at: http://www.dot.
ca.gov/hq/tpp/grants.html/.
Office of Traffic Safety Grants
The Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) administers federal
traffic safety grant funds that are apportioned
to California under the National Highway Safety
Act. The OTS has several priority areas for grant
funding, including alcohol and other drugs, police
traffic services, occupant protection, traffic records, emergency medical services, roadway safety,
pedestrian and bicycle safety (including education,
enforcement, and engineering), and motorcycle
safety. The OTS supports a wide variety of traffic
safety programs, including pedestrian and bicycle
safety programs for children; child passenger safety
outreach; and support for increased law enforcement services and resources, such as safety helmet distribution, and court diversion programs for
safety helmet violators. State government agencies,
state colleges, and state universities, local city
and county government agencies, school districts,
fire departments, and public emergency services
providers are eligible to apply for and receive OTS
grant funding. Grants are awarded on a competitive
basis.
More information is available at: http://www.ots.
ca.gov/ots_and_traffic_safety/About_OTS.asp./
Environmental Enhancement and
Mitigation Program
The Environmental Enhancement and Mitigation
Program (EEMP) is a state fund established by
Caltrans to mitigate the effects of transportation
projects. It offers up to $7 million each year for
grants to local, state, and federal government agencies and to nonprofit organizations for projects to mitigate the environmental impacts caused by new
or modified public transportation facilities. Eligible
projects must be directly or indirectly related to
the environmental impact of the modification of an
existing transportation facility or construction of
a new transportation facility. Typical grants range
from $200,000 to $250,000. Up to 25 percent local
matching is usually required. Grants are awarded
in the categories of urban forestry, resource lands,
and mitigation projects beyond the scope of the
lead agency. Grants are awarded on a competitive
basis.
More information is available at: http://resources.
ca.gov/bonds_and_grants/eemp/.
Affordable Housing and Sustainable
Communities Program
Managed by California’s Strategic Growth Council,
the Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities (AHSC) Program is intended to reduce GHG emissions by supporting infill and compact
development projects that improve non-motorized
transportation options and decrease reliance
on auto vehicle uses. Eligible projects include 1)
8-10 Southwest Fresno Specific Plan | Adopted on October 26, 2017 transit-oriented development (TOD) projects that
include affordable housing development in conjunction with transportation infrastructure, and 2) integrated connectivity projects that include one or
more transit stop and would result in a significant
increase in transit ridership.
As of January 2015, the program guidelines for the
AHSC program are in the process of development,
and the draft of the guidelines is available here:
http://sgc.ca.gov/docs/Draft_AHSC_Guidelines_for_posting_082314.pdf/.
More information is available at: http://sgc.
ca.gov/s_ahscprogram.php/.
Urban And Community Forestry Grants
The California Department of Forestry and Fire
Protection (CAL FIRE) administers the Urban &
Community Forestry Grant Program to fund urban
forestry projects that focus on reducing GHG emissions, including urban tree planting, urban forest management for GHG reduction, urban wood and
biomass utilization, reclamation of blighted urban
lands, and green innovations projects. On-going
management or maintenance activities are not
eligible.
D. ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT
STRATEGIES
BUSINESS STARTUP AND BUSINESS
DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE
Empirical evidence indicates that small businesses
and young businesses are the most productive job
creators.1
This suggests that investments in existing
businesses and startup businesses would be an
efficient approach to expand job opportunities in
the Plan Area and for Plan Area residents, to raise
household incomes and build household wealth,
and to help drive and sustain demand for nonresidential buildings and development.
Business Assistance
The federal and State governments already fund
the vast majority of investment in developing the
capacity of small businesses and startup businesses
through the organizations outlined in this section.
Although some additional funding may be necessary, the real value that local government and community organizations provide is connecting
small businesses and budding entrepreneurs with
economic development service providers.
The core economic development services that
assist small businesses and business startups are:
■ Creating and Updating Business Plans.
Perhaps the most overlooked, yet essential tool
small and new businesses lack is a business
plan. With a three- to five-year horizon, the
typical business plan provides: a description
of the firm and its organizational structure; a
description of products and services, including
lifecycle stage; an analysis of the market,
market trends going forward, and competition;
and strategies for product development,
marketing, and sales. A current business plan is
1 See, for example: Neumark, David, Brandon Wall, and Junfu Zhang, 2011, “Do Small Businesses Create More Jobs? New Evidence for the United States from the National Establishment Time Series”, Review of Economics and Statistics, 93(1), 16–29; and Haltiwanger, John C., Jarmin, Ron S., and Miranda, Javier, 2010, “Who Creates Jobs? Small vs. Large vs. Young”, NBER Working Paper Series, Working Paper 16300, National Bureau of Economic Research, Cambridge, MA.
Chapter 8 | Implementation 8-11
necessary for businesses seeking financing, but
they are also critical for any business seeking to
grow revenues.
■ Business Management Training. Many small
business owners are experts in their product or
service, but lack formal business management
training and expertise. Business management
training covers a range of topics, including
bookkeeping and accounting, hiring and
retention, workforce training, healthcare and
other employee benefits, work place safety,
and compliance with human resource, taxes,
and other regulatory requirements.
■ Marketing and Advertising. Large businesses
have dedicated budgets and full-time staff,
as well as outside consultants, for market
research in order to identify and understand
customers and their needs and desires.
They also have dedicated budgets for paid
advertising to promote their brand and their
products or services. Small businesses usually
lack the internal resources, but marketing and
advertising are still important components for
growing revenues.
■ Financing. Whether updating current business
premises, replacing machinery and equipment,
or expanding, most small businesses at some
point to need to access financing. Small
businesses often turn to banks for conventional
loans or Small Business Administration (SBA)-
guaranteed loans. Many of these businesses,
however, can benefit from assistance in putting
together the documentation needed to obtain
loans. Furthermore, conventional loans,
even when guaranteed by the SBA, require
equity from the business. Some economic
development service providers have programs
to help cover the gap between the equity
the business has available and that required
amount, and some providers also have direct
loan programs.
■ Workforce Hiring and Training. Most
businesses handle hiring and training in-house.
However, the Fresno Regional Workforce
Development Board (described in more detail
in the Existing Economic Development Service
Providers and the Labor Force Education and
Training sections of this chapter) can assist
businesses with a range of hiring services.
In addition, many businesses may be eligible
for workforce training provided through the
workforce development board when upgrading
equipment and processes.
■ Mentoring. Some businesses, and especially
business startups, benefit from mentoring.
Seasoned professionals and retired executives
can provide insights on putting together all the
pieces mentioned above, on leadership, and on
big-picture strategy.
■ Local Ombudsman. Small businesses
complying with municipal and county
regulations is less a matter of will and more a
matter of being able to navigate City Hall. Local
ombudsman services provide a single point
of contact to help businesses comply with
business licensing, health department permits,
zoning and code enforcement compliance
and other regulations administered at the
municipal and county level.
■ Starting a Business. Existing small businesses
may only need the service described above one
at a time. In contrast, entrepreneurs starting
businesses have to accomplish all these tasks
at once. In addition, startup businesses must
choose and establish a business structure,
register their business, select and secure a
location to operate their business, and obtain
required permits and licenses. Finally, new
businesses face more challenges obtaining
financing than do existing businesses with a
financial track record.
In addition to the core business assistance services
described above, there is wide variety of more
targeted businesses assistance services that can
assist some small businesses. Some of these other
services include technology transfer, patents and
trademarks, pricing practices, government procurement and contracts, and social media strategies.
These additional services will probably not be
applicable on a wide scale in the Plan Area, but
may be valuable to some individual businesses.
8-12 Southwest Fresno Specific Plan | Adopted on October 26, 2017 Existing Economic Development Service
Providers
There are several economic development service
providers through which Plan Area businesses and
entrepreneurs can obtain the business assistance
services described in the preceding section. In
general, most of the services are funded through
the federal and State governments, although some
programs do have fees.
■ Fresno State Small Business Development
Center. The Fresno State Small Business
Development Center (SBDC) provides one-onone business consulting and training services for entrepreneurs in the counties of Fresno,
Madera, Tulare and Kings. Fresno State SBDC
is part of the UC Merced Small Business
Development Center Regional Network.
Fresno State SBDC assists existing businesses
with being competitive in a complex
marketplace and helps new entrepreneurs
realize their dream of business ownership.
It provides business consulting and training
in the following areas: business planning
and management, marketing, financial
management, specialized assistance with
international trade, technology transfer
and commercialization, distribution and
manufacturing, and business training
workshops, all at no cost to small businesses.
Fresno State SBDC would most likely be the
primary provider of most of the services
described in the Business Assistance section
above. More information about Fresno State
SBDC is available on its website: http://
fresnostate.edu/academics/sbdc/index.html/.
■ Fresno Regional Workforce Development
Board. The Fresno Regional Workforce
Development Board (FRWDB) provides
oversight and policy direction for the use of
federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity
Act (WIOA) funds in Fresno Area. The FRWDB
is a business-led body, appointed by the
Fresno County Board of Supervisors. The
FRWDB, whose composition is defined by the
WIOA, includes 23 individuals representing
business, one-stop partners, communitybased organizations, local education entities, economic development agencies, and labor.
Under WOIA, the FRWDB provides services to
individuals seeking employment (described in
more detail in the Labor Force Education and
Training section) and to businesses, through its
Business Service Center. It can help businesses
to attract, hire, and retain employees,
specifically including:
§ Securing qualified, pre-screened job
candidates to meet a business’ hiring
specifications and goals;
§ Coordinating and customizing recruitment
events;
§ Locating labor market information and
current Fresno County employment
projections; and
§ Collecting information, such as wage data,
for job descriptions.
The FRWDB can provide information and
resources on starting a business, business
expansion, layoff aversion and business
transition strategies, one-on-one assistance
with business questions, and more. Like the
SBA (described below), the FRWDB provides
a large variety of online tutorials and tools,
ranging from industry specific toolkits, forms,
videos, e-newsletter notifications of trainings
and regulations, interactive assessments, online training courses and funding information.
The FRWDB can work with businesses facing
potential layoffs to develop transition strategies
and explore avenues to avert layoffs or
closures. If layoffs do occur, they can help make
the situation less traumatic for employees
and less costly for the business. Finally, the
FRWDB can help businesses with less than
100 employees create training courses and
reimburse costs under certain criteria.
The FRWDB operates its Business Services
Center at 7475 N. Palm Avenue in Fresno. More
information is available on the website, at
http://www.workforce-connection.com/.
Chapter 8 | Implementation 8-13
■ Fresno Economic Development Corporation.
The Economic Development Corporation
serving Fresno County (Fresno EDC) is a
nonprofit organization established to market
Fresno County to and facilitate site selection
for new businesses within Fresno County.
Fresno EDC also assists in the retention and
expansion of businesses that are already
located in the area.
■ Fresno EDC collaborates with other economic
development service providers, including many
of those described in this chapter, to enhance
the stability and growth of Fresno County’s
existing companies by connecting them with
specific resources, information, and services.
These services include, but are not limited to:
§ Site selection assistance
§ Workforce development, screening, and
employee recruitment services
§ Financing and microloan programs
§ Customized training program development
§ Internship program information and referrals
§ Performance enhancement/skill building/skill
attainment training programs
§ Building contracting
§ Strategic/marketing/formal succession
planning
§ Lucrative business tax incentive information:
enterprise zone, empowerment zone, MRZ,
hub zone, and foreign trade zone
§ Utilities – incentives, rebates, special
programs, and energy rate analysis assistance
§ Assistance with city permits, zoning, and
licensing; other municipal services
§ Structure deterioration & blight aversion and
improvement of existing infrastructure
§ Research and development assistance
§ Certified Public Accountant (CPA) services
Fresno EDC is a membership organization with
investors from a wide variety of industries
and areas of Fresno County. Their office is at
906 N Street, Suite 120, in Downtown Fresno.
More information is available on the website at
http://www. fresnoedc.com/.
■ Mayor’s Office for Economic Development.
The City of Fresno facilitates economic
development through the Mayor’s Office for
Economic Development. The City provides
services and assistance across a variety of
economic development fronts. The City’s
approach to economic development includes:
§ Ensuring availability of land and
infrastructure for industrial development
§ Industrial business retention and expansion
program
§ Incentives for industrial development
§ Targeting the food production cluster
§ Marketing Fresno to potential new
businesses and investors
§ Establishing an export commission
§ Investments in workforce development and
adult education
§ Buy local initiative
§ Supporting and incentivizing infill and
redevelopment
§ Improving quality of life to attract and retain
professionals to live in Fresno
§ Using City-owned land for catalyst projects
§ Collaborating with regional economic
development partners
Several of the City’s economic development
services are relevant to business assistance
for existing businesses in the plan and for
Plan Area residents who may be interested
in starting a business. More importantly,
staff from the Mayor’s Office for Economic
Development may be the key staff for
overseeing and coordinating implementation
measures related to economic development.
■ U.S. Small Business Administration. The
US Small Business Administration (SBA)
is an independent agency of the federal
government. Its mission is to aid, counsel,
assist and protect the interests of small
business concerns, to preserve free
competitive enterprise and to maintain and
strengthen the overall national economy. The
SBA is most well-known for assisting with small
8-14 Southwest Fresno Specific Plan | Adopted on October 26, 2017 business loans, but it also provides federal
contract procurement assistance, management
assistance, and specialized outreach to women,
minorities and armed forces veterans. SBA also
provides loans to victims of natural disasters
and specialized advice and assistance in
international trade.
Under its most common program, the SBA
Advantage 7(a) loans, the SBA does not provide
a loan to an eligible business. Rather, the SBA
guarantees repayment of the loan, which is
provided by a participating local bank. The
SBA guarantee reduces the risk to the lender.
The applications can be downloaded from the
SBA website, but the applicant submits the
application directly to the local bank, not the
SBA.The SBA’s district office is at 801 R Street
in downtown Fresno. Loan applications forms
and a wide variety of business assistance and
training resources are available on the SBA
website, https://www.sba.gov/.
■ Fresno Community Development Financial
Institution. The Fresno Community
Development Financial Institution (FCDFI) is a
small business loan fund that assists with the
growth of businesses and jobs in underserved
communities. FCDFI provides small business
and micro loans from $10,000 to $300,000 for
expanding existing businesses or starting a new
business.
■ The FCDFI office is at 1920 Mariposa Mall
in downtown Fresno. More information and
loan applications are available on its website,
https://fresnocdfi.com/.
■ Service Core of Retired Executives. Central
Valley Service Core of Retired Executives
(SCORE) fosters vibrant small business
communities through mentoring and
education. SCORE is a nonprofit association
dedicated to helping small businesses get
off the ground, grow and achieve their goals
through education and mentorship. Supported
by the SBA, and a network of volunteers,
SCORE provides services at no charge or at very
low cost. These services include:
§ Volunteer mentors who share their expertise
across 62 industries
§ Free, confidential business mentoring in
person or via email
§ Free business tools, templates and tips here
online
§ Inexpensive or free business workshops
(locally) and webinars (online 24/7)
SCORE’s local office is at 801 R Street in
downtown Fresno. More information
is available on its website at https://
centralvalley.score.org/.
■ Fresno Chamber of Commerce. With a
membership of more than 1,400 businesses
and organizations, the Fresno Chamber of
Commerce is the leading voice and advocate
for the business community. The Chamber
promotes economic opportunity, business
education and successful business relationships
throughout the region.
■ In addition to networking opportunities, the
Chamber helps its members stay informed
about business practices and changes in
legislation. The Chamber also provides
information about a variety of business-related
topics from employer legal requirements to
marketing strategies through its monthly Small
Business University program.
■ The Fresno Chamber of Commerce is at 2331
Fresno Street in downtown Fresno. More
information is available on the Chamber’s
website, http://www.fresnochamber.com/.
■ Fresno Metro Black Chamber of Commerce.
The Fresno Metro Black Chamber of Commerce
(FMBCC) facilitates and serves as an advocate
for the creation, development, growth, and
general welfare of the African American
business community in the greater Fresno area.
The FMBCC pursues its mission by:
§ Advocating on behalf of members and the
general Black business community
§ Informing membership of problems affecting
businesses in the greater Fresno community
§ Increasing public awareness of the black
business community and the impact of the
Fresno’s black buying power
Chapter 8 | Implementation 8-15
§ Promoting black-owned businesses within
the Black and mainstream community
§ Increasing the capacity of current and
potential members through education and
training services
The FMBCC is located at 1444 Fulton Street
in downtown Fresno. More information is
available on the FMBCC website, http://www.
fmbcc.com/.
Implementation of Business Development
and Business Startup Assistance
The key to effectively providing business development and business startup assistance in the Plan Area is connecting existing businesses and
residents interested in starting a business with the
service providers described above. In most cases,
the services are free or at a nominal cost because
the State and federal government invest in the
service providers. Thus, the critical role is coordination.
Although there are a variety of ways to provide
coordination, the coordination of business development and business startup assistance should be accomplished through a collaboration of staff from
the District 3 Councilmember’s Office and staff
from the Mayor’s Office of Economic Development.
The three components to this effort are:
■ Business Survey. The first step is to survey
existing businesses in the Plan Area to find out
what they perceive to be the challenges and
opportunities for operating a business in the
area and what they believe to be their needs
for business assistance. The survey should be
conducted in the first year after adoption of
the Plan and then repeated once every two or
three years.
■ The survey need not be elaborate, and there
are many samples of such surveys available
online. Although the survey can be conducted
online, a better response rate would likely be
achieved by in-person surveys. City staff should
design the survey, but it could be administered
by community volunteers.
■ Business Assistance Workshop. Based on the
results of the survey, a business assistance
workshop can be conducted in the Plan
Area. This workshop would allow the service
providers described in the preceding section
to meet with existing businesses and residents
interested in starting a business and to talk
about the types of services and programs they
offer. The service providers would also have
an opportunity to hear from businesses about
their needs. This workshop could be repeated
on an annual basis.
■ Provide Business Assistance. Many of the
business development and business startup
assistance services are provided in an online
or one-on-one format. However, many other
services are provided in a group, classroom, or
workshop format. For these services, the City
should seek to facilitate the provision of these
services at a location in the Plan Area. These
programs would be provided on a periodic
basis throughout the year.
LABOR FORCE EDUCATION AND
TRAINING
Whereas the business development in Business
Startup and Business Development Assistance
section focuses on businesses in the Plan Area, this
Labor Force Education and Training section focuses
on the human capital of individuals living in the
Plan Area. Improving the skills and education of
resident who would like to be employed or would
like to improve their earning potential can increase
income, household wealth, and consumer spending
in the Plan Area. The key service providers for labor
force education and training include:
■ Fresno Regional Workforce Development
Board. The FRWDB provides services to
individuals through two programs:
§ Adult and Dislocated Worker Services.
Under the leadership of the Fresno Regional
Workforce Development Board (Workforce
Connection), adults and dislocated workers
can access employment, education,
and training services through a unique
combination of six Workforce Connection
8-16 Southwest Fresno Specific Plan | Adopted on October 26, 2017 One-Stop Centers. The center nearest the
Plan Area is located at 1900 Mariposa Mall
in Downtown Fresno. The One-Stop System
provides universal core services (such as
universal access to informational, selfdirected core services, individual assessment, job search, and employment assistance)
as well as access to other programs and
services available from partner agencies,
including the Employment Development
Department, Department of Rehabilitation,
California Indian Manpower Consortium,
Proteus, Inc., Fresno County Economic
Opportunities Commission, Department
of Employment and Temporary Assistance,
State Center Community College District,
Fresno Adult School, Clovis Adult School,
West Hills Community College, and Fresno
Housing Authority. More information is
available at the FRWDB website at http://
www.workforce-connection.com/jobseekers/
index.cfm?pg=adult_services/.
§ Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act
(WIOA) Year-Round Youth Services. Under
the direction and oversight of the Fresno
Regional Workforce Development Board
Youth Council, Fresno County eligible youth,
ages 14 through 21, can access services
designed to increase educational options
and opportunities, develop job skills, explore
career options, develop leadership qualities,
participate in adult and peer mentoring and
counseling, and take advantage of work
experiences. The location near the Plan Area
where these services are available is the
Fresno Economic Opportunities Commission
at 1920 Mariposa Mall in Downtown
Fresno. More information is available at the
FRWDB website at http://www.workforceconnection.com/youthServices/index. cfm?pg=ythindex/.
■ Fresno Unified School District, Fresno Adult
School. Fresno Adult School offers a variety
of courses and programs for adult learners.
To meet the diverse learning needs of adults,
courses are offered in the morning, afternoon,
evenings, and weekends. The adult school
offers the following programs:
§ Adult basic education
§ English as a second language
§ Career and technical education
§ High school equivalency prep
§ High school diploma
§ Community education
The nearest location at which these programs
are provided is at the main campus at 2500
Stanislaus Street in Downtown Fresno. More
information is available at the website, http://
www.fas.edu/.
■ Central Unified School District, Central
Learning Adult School Site. The Central
Learning Adult School Site offers a variety of
courses and programs for adult learners. The
programs are provided in the morning and
evening at 2698 N. Brawley Avenue in Fresno.
The programs offered include:
§ Adult basic education
§ English as a second language
§ Career and technical education
§ GED and HiSET prep
§ Adult High school diploma
More information is available at the website,
http://central-learning-adult-school-site.
echalksites.com/home_page/.
Chapter 8 | Implementation 8-17
■ State Center Community College District,
Fresno City College. Fresno City College
(FCC) is a comprehensive learning community
offering innovative instructional programs in
anticipation of and responsive to the lifelong
learning needs of our diverse population. FCC
offers Associate’s Degrees, and students can
earn a Certificate of Completion, or transfer to
a 4-year university of their choice. In addition,
FCC offers a variety of non-degree programs,
including:
§ Arts, audio visual technology and
communication
§ Business, finance and computer information
technology
§ Education and training
§ Food service
§ Health care
§ Human services
§ Manufacturing, construction, and technology
§ Public safety, corrections and security
§ Science and technology
§ Transportation
§ Customized training
Implementation of Labor Force Education
and Training
It is likely that many residents in Southwest
Fresno are unaware of the employment services,
education, and training programs and assistance
available to them. Community organizations and
the City can play a vital economic development
role by acquainting residents with these services.
Staff from the District 3 Councilmember’s Office
could collaborate with staff from the Mayor’s Office
of Economic Development to conduct an annual
workshop. The workshop would provide an opportunity for the service providers described above to introduce the range of programs and services
that Plan Area residents can access. This workshop
should be an annual event, and it could be held in
conjunction with another community event, such
as a health and wellness fair.
E. IMPLEMENTATION
ACTION PLAN
Tables 8-2 through 8-8 set forth the implementation action plan for the Southwest Fresno Specific Plan. The actions are organized into seven categories:
■ Priority Measures
■ Community Resources
■ Economic Development
■ Land Use
■ Infrastructure
■ Mobility
■ Parks and Urban Greening
Under each topic there are a set of actions. The
first column provides a unique identification
number for each action. When a number ends with
a letter (e.g., M-2A, M-2B, and M2-C) it indicates
that those actions are related, and the first action
needs to be completed before the second action
commences. In the funding column, “General fund,
redirection of existing resources” indicates that
the action would likely be completed with existing
budgeted resources and with in-house staff. In
contrast, “General fund, $10,000” indicates that
the action would either require additional funding
or that it is an action that the City would likely be
contracted out.
The amounts and funding sources indicated in
Tables 8-2 to 8-8’s “Funding” column are estimates
only and may change as the projects are further
developed. Any use of General Fund monies is
subject to availability of funds and may be substituted with or augmented by other funding sources such as grant funds.
8-18 Southwest Fresno Specific Plan | Adopted on October 26, 2017
PRIORITY MEASURES
The highest implementation priority (or “#1
priority”) for the Plan is the Martin Luther King Jr.
Boulevard (MLK) Activity Center Magnet Core. This
#1 priority acts as the “hub of a wheel,” with other
supporting implementation priorities functioning
and supporting elements of the #1 priority, like
the spokes of the wheel. These implementation
priorities are further described in the implementation action plan: the #1 priority measures are in Table 8-2: Priority Measures and additional priority
measures are labeled with a “P”. Highest priority
measures are shown on Figure 8-1 and the following tables:
■ Priority-1A: MLK Activity Center Magnet Core
– Incentivize and support development of the
proposed Community College Campus
■ Priority-1B: Underground infrastructure for
MLK Activity Center Magnet Core (i.e., sewer,
water, storm drain)
■ Priority-1C: New Complete Streets for Church
Avenue, MLK Jr. Boulevard, and Jensen Avenue
Additional Priority Measures
1. P-P1: Build New Park at MLK Activity Center
Magnet Core
2. M-P1: Trail Network
3. P-P2A: Parks Improvement Plan
P-P2B: Revitalize Existing Parks
4. LU-P1: Marks Avenue/Whites Bridge Avenue
Magnet Core
5. LU-P2: Grocery Store or food coop at one of
the Magnet Cores
6. ED-P1/P2: New Employment Training and
Career Preparation Center and Workforce
Policy
7. CR-P1: Create an Implementation Oversight
Committee to oversee implementation of
the Southwest Fresno Specific Plan
8. M-P2/LU-P3: Prioritize the California Ave
BRT/Mixed Use corridor
9. LU-P4: Anti-displacement Strategy and
Programs
The implementation action plan is a framework.
It is fully anticipated that, over time, the City will
make adjustments to this plan.
Chapter 8 | Implementation 8-19
41 41
180
99 99
NMX
NMX
O
O
O
O
R O
G
CMX
CMX CMX
C C
C
PB
PB
PB
PB
PB PBP PB
PB
PB
P
CP
CP
NP
NP
NP
CZ
RP
A
PG&E
HOSP
E
M
PB
PB
C
E
R C
NP*
NP*
E
C
NP
NP
E
M
NC
WR
NC
PBP
PF
PF
PF
NMX
C C
P
R
CZ
CMX
CMX
CMX
NMX
PF
OS OS
WEST AVE
CRYSTAL AVE
C ALIFORNIA CT TEILMAN AVE
JENSEN AVE VAGEDESAVE ATCHISON ST
OLEANDER AVE
ARTHUR AVE
KEARNEY BLVD
NIELSEN AVE
HOLLY AVE
CLARA AVE
WOODWARD AVE
LEAD AVE
LILY AVE
BLOSSER AVE
GEORGEAVE
ILA AVE
CALWA AVE
LORENA AVE
KNIGHT AVE
CHURCH RD
DUNN AVE
BELG RAVIAAVE
DELNOAVE
DANRONQUILLO DR
HAWESAVE
MYERS AVE
GEARY ST
VALENCIA AVE
EDEN AVE
BYRD AVE
KAVILAND AVE
GROVE AVE
GARRETT AVE
FLORENCEAVE
TE ILMAN I C R
PLEASANT AVE
VINE AVE
DOROTHY AVE
LAFAYETTE AVE
SAMSON AVE
FRUIT AVE
THORNE AVE
BARDELL ST
LA SIERRADR
ELM AVE
KIRK ST
NORTH AVE
ANNADALE AVE
ALMY AVE
ROY AVE
ROEDING DR
TULARE S
G
T
ST
PLUMAS ST
PICKFORD AVE
DIVISADERO ST
MERCED ST
R ST
LOS ANGELES ST
NICHOLAS AVE
C ST
MONTEREYST
BRALY AVE
TUOLUMNE ST
A ST
SAN BENITO ST
STANISLAUS ST
WOODWARD AVE
M ST
CALAVERAS ST
BROADWAY PLZ
VENTURA ST
RAILROAD AVE
MARIPOSA ST
SANTA FE AVE
PARKWAY DR
ROOSEVELT AVE
ANNA ST
BLACKSTONE AVE BELGRAVIA AVE
ILLINOIS AVE
GRANT AVE
H ST
AMADOR ST
E ST
WATERMAN AVE
MAYOR AVE
U ST
KLETTE AVE
MARIPOSA ST
JONES AVE
IRWIN AVE
KERN ST
INYO ST
MONO ST
SANTACLARA ST
STROTHER AVE
IVY AVE
O ST
FAIRVIEW AVE
B ST
ARTHUR AVE
FRUIT AVE
EL DORADO ST
CHERRY AVE
PACIFIC AVE
FULTON MALL
TUPMAN ST
CAPITOL ST
T ST
LEMON AVE
ONEILAVE
GENEVA AVE
SAN JOAQUIN ST
CHINA ALY F ST
EUNICE AVE
HOME RUN ALY
L ST
COLLINS AVE
S ST
A/B ALY
FAGAN ALY
Q ST
WELLER ST
FERGER AVE
POPPY AVE
HUMBOLDT AVE
WAYTE LN
NAPA AVE
LOTUS AVE
FERGER/PALM ALY
EDGAR AVE
AIRPORT RD
GOLDEN STATE BLVD
WALNUT AVE
VAN NESS AVE
TRINITY ST
MODOC ST
CHANNINGWAY
FULTON ST
FRESNO ST POTTLE AVE
ECHO AVE
MARTIN AVE
MAUD AVE
P ST
N ST
CHANDLER AVE LEE AVE
ROSE AVE
MADDY DR
PALM AVE
OC LL GE E V/ ANNESSALY
SARAH ST
GLENN/SAN PABLO ALY
BROADWAY
STEPHENS AVE
FARRIS AVE
MARKS AVE
JENSEN AVE
CHURCH AVE
VALENTINE AVE
MADISON AVE
FIG AVENUE MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. BLVD
HUGHES AVE
BRAWLEY AVE
CENTRAL AVE
ANNADALE AVE
NORTH AVE
MARKS AVE
CALIFORNIA AVE
WHITES BRIDGE AVE
FIGURE 8-1 Implementation Priorities Overlaid on Land Use Map for Plan Area 1 1
3 2
4 8
5 3
1 1
5 6 7 9
3 3
3 3
3 3
RESIDENTIAL EMPLOYMENT
MIXED-USE
PUBLIC FACILITIES OPEN SPACE
COMMERCIAL
O Office
Office Restricted
Automobile /Vehicle Sales and
Services are are not permitted
O No Auto
P Park
CZ Clear Zone
NP Neighborhood Park
CP Community Park
RP Regional Park
PB Ponding Basin
PBP Ponding Basin Park
NP* Neighborhood Park*
CMX Corridor/Center Mixed-Use
NMX Neighborhood Mixed-Use
SS Special School
C College
E Elementary School
PF Public Facility
M Middle School
A Airport
HOSP Hospital
NC Neighborhood Center
PG&E PG&E Station
Water Recharge
Basin
WR
R Regional
CH Church
C Community
*The exact location of the parks within the Mission Ranch development will be determined in a future planning process.
Medium Density (5 - 12 du/ac)
Medium High Density (12 - 16 du/ac)
Urban Neighborhood (16 - 30 du/ac)
Medium Low Density (3.5 - 6 du/ac)
Low Density (1 - 3.5 du/ac)
Office*
After 85% of the land in Fresno’s “Reverse
Triangle” is occupied with heavy industrial
uses, light industrial uses are permitted
O*
City Limit Sphere of Influence
0 0.25mi 0.25mi
Plan Area
Implementation Priorities 6, 7, and 9 are not associated to a location and are thus not shown on this map.
G General
OS Open Space
IMPLEMENTATION
PRIORITIES
Number 1
Priority
Additional
Priority
Measures
O
FIGURE 8-1 Implementation Priorities Overlaid on Land Use Map for Plan Area 8-20 Southwest Fresno Specific Plan | Adopted on October 26, 2017 SP
GOAL/
POLICY
MEASURE
NUMBER
MEASURE
NAME DESCRIPTION
RESPONSIBLE
PARTY;
SUPPORT PARTIES
TIME
FRAME FUNDING
Policies
LU-1.1
and
PF-6.3
Priority-1A MLK Activity
Center Core:
Community
College Campus
Advocate for State
Center Community
College District to
fund and develop a
community college
campus within the
Plan’s southern
magnet core/MLK
Activity Center;
Incentivize the
development of the
community college
with the remaining
Priority 1 Measures
Mayor’s Office/
City Manager
FY2018 and
annually
thereafter until
complete
Redirection
of existing
resources,
Various
sources, $93M
Policies
LU-1.1
and
PF-6.3;
Goal U-1
Priority-1B MLK Activity
Center Magnet
Core: Infrastructure
Improvements
Construct
improvements
serving the MLK
Activity Center
Magnet Core,
including streets
and roadways,
landscaping, water,
sewer, and storm
drains
Public Works,
Public Utilities
FY2019 through
FY2024
DIF, Grant
funds, $11.6M
Policies
LU-1.1
and
PF-6.3;
Goal T-10
Priority-1C MLK Activity
Center
Magnet Core:
Complete Streets
Improvements
Construct complete
street improvements
for Church and
Jensen Avenues and
MLK Jr. Boulevard
in the MLK Activity
Center Magnet
Core, including
restriping; curb,
guttter, sidewalk;
bike lanes; street
trees; lighting; and
transit stops.
Public Works FY2019 through
FY2020
TABLE 8-2 Implementation Action Plan Matrix: Priority Measures Chapter 8 | Implementation 8-21
TABLE 8-3 Implementation Action Plan Matrix: Community Resources Plan-wide CR-P1 Implementation
Oversight
Committee
Establish a
committee of Plan
Area residents,
businesses, and
civic organizations
to oversee
implementation of
the Plan.
Councilmember’s
Office
FY2018 and
annually
thereafter
General fund,
redirection
of existing
resources
Policy
PF-5.1
CR-2 Adequate School
Facilities
Conduct an
annual meeting
with Fresno Unified,
Central Unified, and
Washington Unified
School Districts and
review development
activity and projects
in the entitlement
process to ensure
the provision of
adequate school
facilities
DARM FY2019 and
annually
thereafter
General fund,
redirection
of existing
resources
Policy
PF-4.1
CR-3 Adequate Health
Care Services
Conduct an annual
meeting with the
Fresno County Public
Health Department
and hospitals to
review the need for
health clinics and
medical facilities to
serve residents of the
Plan Area
DARM FY2019 and
annual
thereafter
General fund,
redirection
of existing
resources
TABLE 8-4 Implementation Action Plan Matrix: Economic Development Policy
PF-7
ED-P1 New Employment
Training
and Career
Preparation
Center
Work with regional
economic
development
partners and with
foundations and
other funding
organizations to
create a new
center to provide
education and
job training, life
skills training, and
employment
assistance.
Councilmember’s
Office; Mayor’s
Office of
Economic
Development
1 to 5 years CDBG funding,
federal
or State
economic
development
grants
SP
GOAL/
POLICY
MEASURE
NUMBER
MEASURE
NAME DESCRIPTION
RESPONSIBLE
PARTY;
SUPPORT PARTIES
TIME
FRAME FUNDING
SP
GOAL/
POLICY
MEASURE
NUMBER
MEASURE
NAME DESCRIPTION
RESPONSIBLE
PARTY;
SUPPORT PARTIES
TIME
FRAME FUNDING
8-22 Southwest Fresno Specific Plan | Adopted on October 26, 2017 Policy
PF-7
ED-P2 Local Hiring Policy In coordination with
the Implementation
Oversight
Committee (CRP1) and after a
public engagement
process, establish
a workforce policy
to encourage
businesses and City
programs in the Plan
Area to prioritize
hiring Plan Area
residents, consistent
with applicable laws.
Councilmember’s
Office; Mayor’s
Office of
Economic
Development
September 2018 General fund,
redirection
of existing
resources
Policy
PF-6.1
ED-P3 Employment
Skills and Training
Workshop
In collaboration
with education
and job training
partners, conduct
an employment
skills and training
workshop to
acquaint Plan Area
residents with the
opportunities for
lifelong learning and
jobs skills training
Councilmember’s
Office; Mayor’s
Office of
Economic
Development
FY2018 and
biennially
thereafter
General fund,
$10,000
N/A ED-4A Business Survey Conduct a survey of
existing businesses
and use the results
to prepare a SWOT
analysis and identify
assistance needs
Councilmember’s
Office; Mayor’s
Office of
Economic
Development
FY2018 and
biennially
thereafter
Redirection
of existing
resources
N/A ED-4B Business Assistance
Workshop
In collaboration
with economic
development service
providers, conduct a
business assistance
workshop for
existing businesses
and entrepreneurs
interested in starting
a business
Councilmember’s
Office; Mayor’s
Office of
Economic
Development
FY2018 and
biennially
thereafter
General fund,
$10,000
Policy
LU-4.1
ED-5 Home Ownership
Workshop
In collaboration with
banks and housing
organizations,
conduct a workshop
to acquaint Plan
Area residents with
programs and
services to assist firsttime home buyers
and to assist existing
homeowners facing
financial hardship
Councilmember’s
Office; DARM;
other community
housing providers
FY2018 and
biennially
thereafter
General fund,
$10,000
TABLE 8-4 (CONTINUED) Implementation Action Plan Matrix: Economic Development SP
GOAL/
POLICY
MEASURE
NUMBER
MEASURE
NAME DESCRIPTION
RESPONSIBLE
PARTY;
SUPPORT PARTIES
TIME
FRAME FUNDING
Chapter 8 | Implementation 8-23
Goal LU-1 ED-6 Development
Potential
Marketing
Develop marketing
materials and
conduct a workshop
to acquaint
developers, real
estate brokers,
and potential
new businesses
with development
opportunities in the
Plan Area
Mayor’s Office
of Economic
Development
FY2019 and
annually
thereafter
Redirection
of existing
resources
Policy
PF-6.4
ED-7 Youth
Development
In collaboration
with education
and community
organization
partners, develop
programs that help
nurture leadership,
skills, and ambition in
Plan Area youth
Councilmember’s
Office
FY2019 and
annually
thereafter
General fund,
$10,000
SP
GOAL/
POLICY
MEASURE
NUMBER
MEASURE
NAME DESCRIPTION
RESPONSIBLE
PARTY;
SUPPORT PARTIES
TIME
FRAME FUNDING
TABLE 8-4 (CONTINUED) Implementation Action Plan Matrix: Economic Development TABLE 8-5 Implementation Action Plan Matrix: Land Use
SP
GOAL/
POLICY
MEASURE
NUMBER
MEASURE
NAME DESCRIPTION
RESPONSIBLE
PARTY;
SUPPORT PARTIES
TIME
FRAME FUNDING
Policy
LU-1.1
LU-P1 Marks Avenue/
Whites Bridge
Avenue Magnet
Core
Collaborate with
property owners
and stakeholders in
the Marks Avenue/
Whites Bridge
Avenue Magnet
Core to develop and
implement an action
plan for: constructing
infrastructure
improvements;
identifying and
attracting a magnet
use; and marketing
the area and
available sites to
developers
Councilmember’s
Office; Mayor’s
Office of
Economic
Development
Commencing
FY2021
General fund,
redirection
of existing
resources for
action plan
Cost for
ensuing
activities
8-24 Southwest Fresno Specific Plan | Adopted on October 26, 2017 Policy
LU-6.3
LU-P2 Magnet Core
grocery store or
food co-op
Periodically review
market demand for
food stores in the
Plan Area; develop
marketing materials
and descriptions of
available incentives
for a food store;
market the magnet
cores on available
sites to potential
grocery stores and
food co-ops
Mayor’s Office
of Economic
Development
Commencing
FY2020
General
fund, $10,000
for market
demand
analysis;
$15,000 for
marketing
materials;
redirection
of existing
resources for
marketing to
developers
and potential
food stores
Goal LU-2 LU-P3 California Avenue
Bus Rapid Transit
(BRT)/Mixed-Use
Corridor
Create and
implement a plan to
incentivize mixed-use
development along
California Avenue
DARM FY2021 TBD
Policy
LU-4.8
LU-P4 Anti-Displacement
Strategy and
Programs
In coordination
with a robust public
process, establish an
anti-displacement
strategy and an
anti-displacement
program to minimize
and avoid the
displacement of
existing residents
out of the Plan
Area. Build upon
Housing Element
Program 12A and
align with the antidisplacement policy
developed for the
Transformative
Climate
Communities
program.
DARM FY2018, in
conjunction with
implementation
of Program 12-A
- Downtown
Displacement
Prevention,
in the City of
Fresno Housing
Element
General fund,
redirection
of existing
resources
N/A LU-5 Citywide
Development
Code Amendment
Changes to zone
districts proposed
in Chapter 4 of
the Plan to be
addressed in a
subsequent text
amendment to
the Citywide
Development Code.
DARM 2018 Redirection
of existing
resources
SP
GOAL/
POLICY
MEASURE
NUMBER
MEASURE
NAME DESCRIPTION
RESPONSIBLE
PARTY;
SUPPORT PARTIES
TIME
FRAME FUNDING
TABLE 8-5 (CONTINUED) Implementation Action Plan Matrix: Land Use Chapter 8 | Implementation 8-25
Policy
U-1.4
I-1A Water and Sewer
Master Plan
Update the water
and sewer master
plan to incorporate
improvements
identified in the Plan
Public Utilities FY2018 General fund,
TBD
Policy
U-1.4
I-1B Construct Water
and Sewer
Improvements
Construct water and
sewer improvements
as needed pursuant
to existing City
standards
Public Utilities 2 to 15 years DIF, $163M
Policies
T-12.2 and
U-1.3
I-2 Construct
storm drain
improvements
Developers to
construct necessary
storm drain
improvements,
coordinated with the
Fresno Metropolitan
Flood Control District
Developers 1 to 15 years Developer
funded,
$1,211,000
Policy
T-12.1
I-3 Low-Impact
Development
Coordinate with the
Fresno Metropolitan
Flood Control District
to consider potential
development
code amendments
for Low-Impact
Development
(LID) storm water
management
techniques with
curb, gutter,
and sidewalk
improvements
DARM in
coordination with
FMFCD
FY2018 General fund,
redirection
of existing
resources
SP
GOAL/
POLICY
MEASURE
NUMBER
MEASURE
NAME DESCRIPTION
RESPONSIBLE
PARTY;
SUPPORT PARTIES
TIME
FRAME FUNDING
TABLE 8-6 Implementation Action Plan Matrix: Infrastructure 8-26 Southwest Fresno Specific Plan | Adopted on October 26, 2017 SP
GOAL/
POLICY
MEASURE
NUMBER
MEASURE
NAME DESCRIPTION
RESPONSIBLE
PARTY;
SUPPORT PARTIES
TIME
FRAME FUNDING
Goal T-5 M-P1 Trail Network Build a Class I and
Class IV trail network
to connect to the
MLK Activity Center
Magnet Core and
to other locations in
Southwest Fresno
Public Works FY2018 through
FY2021
Grant funds,
$5M
Goal LU-2 M-P2 California Avenue
BRT/Mixed-Use
Corridor
Collaborate with FAX
to hasten operation
of BRT along
California Avenue
Mayor’s Office/
City Manager
FY2019 and
annually
thereafter
General fund,
redirection
of existing
resources
Policy
T-1.2
M-3 Sidewalk
Demonstration
Project
Construct sidewalks
along streets
identified in the
high priority area of
the Fresno ATP as a
priority project
Public Works FY2018 Grant funds,
$15/square
foot of new
sidewalk
Policy
T-8.3
M-4A Existing Street
Improvements
Program currently
needed street
improvements
into the capital
improvement plan
and construct the
improvements as
funding becomes
available
Public Works;
Finance
Include in the
budget for
FY2019
Redirection
of existing
resources
Policy
T-10.1
M-4B Construct
New Street
Improvements
Construct complete
streets improvements
as needed for new
development
Public Works;
Developers
1 to 15 years DIF and
Developer
funded
Policy
T-10.1
M-5 Contractual
Assessment District
Establish a
contractual
assessment district
to fund complete
street improvements
in existing
developed areas
to complement
sidewalk and
streetscape
improvements
installed by adjacent
and nearby new
development
Public Works;
Finance
FY2019 Redirection
of existing
resources
because it
is voluntary
on the part
of property
owners and
is not an
extensive
effort
TABLE 8-7 Implementation Action Plan Matrix: Mobility
Chapter 8 | Implementation 8-27
SP
GOAL/
POLICY
MEASURE
NUMBER
MEASURE
NAME DESCRIPTION
RESPONSIBLE
PARTY;
SUPPORT PARTIES
TIME
FRAME FUNDING
Goals
T-12 and
T-13
M-6 Landscape
and Lighting
Maintenance
District (LLMD)
Engage Plan Area
property owners in
establishing a LLMD
to fund ongoing
maintenance of
complete street
and other public
realm improvements
throughout the Plan
Area
Councilmember’s
Office; Public
Works; Finance
FY2019 Redirection
of existing
resources. If
City already
has LLMDs,
they could
potentially be
extended into
the Plan Area.
If not, a new
LLMD could be
established.
Funding to
establish could
be repaid
when district is
operational.
Goal T-10 M-7A Complete Streets
Funding
In planned areas
with existing
development,
engage property
owners to establish
an assessment
district to construct
complete street
improvements inlieu of a voluntary
contractual
assessment district
Councilmember’s
Office; Public
Works; Finance
FY2020 Grant funds
Goal T-10 M-7B Construct
Complete Street
Improvements
Construct complete
street improvements
Public Works In conjunction
with new
development,
upon voluntary
participation
by property
owners through
a contractual
assessment
district or upon
establishment of
an assessment
district
Developer;
Assessment
district
Policy
T-4.1
M-8 Bicycle and Trail
Network
Program bicycle and
trail facilities from the
Fresno ATP into the
capital improvement
plan and construct
the facilities as
funding is available
Public Works;
Finance
10 years for
priority network
(see Fresno ATP
for specifics)
Grant funds
Refer to Fresno
ATP, $90/linear
foot
TABLE 8-7 (CONTINUED) Implementation Action Plan Matrix: Mobility 8-28 Southwest Fresno Specific Plan | Adopted on October 26, 2017 SP
GOAL/
POLICY
MEASURE
NUMBER
MEASURE
NAME DESCRIPTION
RESPONSIBLE
PARTY;
SUPPORT PARTIES
TIME
FRAME FUNDING
Policy
T-6.2
M-9 Public Transit Conduct an annual
meeting with FAX to
review development
activity and projects
in the entitlement
process in order to
ensure FAX transit
routes adequately
connect existing
and future
residential areas to
key destinations,
including schools,
retail, employment,
and recreation
and to ensure the
establishment of bus
rapid transit routes
along Elm Avenue
and California
Avenue when
warranted and
feasible
DARM 2018 Redirection
of existing
resources;
would not
require
additional
funding
Policy
T-9.1
M-10A Establish Truck
Routes
Complete a
comprehensive
planning process
to engage Fresno
County, business
owners, schools, and
residents to confirm
appropriate truck
routes in Southwest
Fresno as shown
in the Plan. Then,
adopt an ordinance
establishing agreed
upon routes.
Mayor / City
Manager; Public
Works
2018 General
redirection
of existing
resources for
ordinance
Policy
T-9.1
M-10B Truck Route
Improvements
Program needed
truck route
improvements
into the capital
improvement plan
and construct the
improvements as
funding is available
and work with the
County to provide
improved truck
routes on County
land, including on
Central Avenue
City and County
Public Works
Include in the
budget for
FY2019
Capital
improvement
program for
truck route
improvements
within
the City’s
jurisdiction
Policy
T-3.5
M-11A Safe Routes to
School Plan
Develop safe routes
to school plans for
schools serving the
Plan Area.
DARM; Public
Works
FY2019 General fund,
$45,000
TABLE 8-7 (CONTINUED) Implementation Action Plan Matrix: Mobility Chapter 8 | Implementation 8-29
SP
GOAL/
POLICY
MEASURE
NUMBER
MEASURE
NAME DESCRIPTION
RESPONSIBLE
PARTY;
SUPPORT PARTIES
TIME
FRAME FUNDING
Policy
T-3.5
M-11B Safe Routes
to School
Improvements
Program safe
routes to school
improvements
into the capital
improvement
plan, apply for
grant funding,
and construct
improvements as
funding is available
Public Works;
DARM
Include in the
budget for
FY2020
Grant funds
including
Caltrans
Active
Transportation
Program,
Sustainable
Communities
Grants;
Capital
improvement
program
Policy
T-3.1
M-12 Pedestrian
Activated Signal
and High Visibility
Crosswalks on
North Avenue
Design and install a
pedestrian activated
signal at the
intersection of North
Avenue and S. Clara
Street and high
visibility crosswalks
per the 41 & North
Corridor Complete
Streets Plan
Public Works 2018 Grant funds
including
Caltrans
Active
Transportation
Program,
Sustainable
Communities
Grants, Metro
Planning
Grants,
$130,000 to
$235,000
Policy
T-9.1 and
Policy
T-9.2
M-13 Funding for
Clean Vehicle
Technology and
Infrastructure
Submit proposals
and applications
for funding to
public agencies,
foundations
and charitable
organizations,
and corporate
funds to facilitate
and incentivize
replacing public
and private fleets
with zero-emission or
near-zero emission
vehicles and the
development
of electric
vehicle charging
infrastructure
DARM; Public
Works
FY2018 and
annually
thereafter
Grant funds
and other
funding pools,
including the
California
Clean Truck,
Bus, and
Off-Road
Vehicle and
Equipment
Technology
Program, lightduty equity
pilots (such as
EFMP Plus Up),
agricultural
worker
vanpools, and
car-sharing
under SB
1275, and the
Clean Vehicle
Rebate Project
TABLE 8-7 (CONTINUED) Implementation Action Plan Matrix: Mobility 8-30 Southwest Fresno Specific Plan | Adopted on October 26, 2017 Goal PF-2 P-P1 Build New Park at
MLK Magnet Core
Construct a new
park adjacent to the
proposed college
in the MLK Activity
Center
PARCS FY2018 through
FY2019
Bond for
College
Development,
DIF, Grant
funds, $9M
Goal PF-1 P-P2A Parks Improvement
Plan
Develop a parks
improvement plan
for existing parks
PARCS FY2018 in
coordination
with Fresno Parks
Master Plan
Redirection
of existing
resources
Policy
PF-1.1
P-P2B Revitalize Existing
Parks
Upgrade existing
parks’ infrastructure,
landscaping,
seating, and
amenities
PARCS; Public
Works
10 years in
coordination
with the Fresno
Parks Master
Plan
TBD, $200K
(repair
amenities) to
$2M (replace
amenities)
per acre of
parkland
Goal PF-2 P-3 New Park Project Construct new park
at Grove Street,
west of Elm Avenue
to serve existing
neighborhoods on
either side
PARCS FY2018 General fund,
Approximately
$1.5M
Policy
PF-1.3
P-4A Parks
Environmental
Cleanup Plan
Develop a plan to
remediate toxic sites
on and/or adjacent
to existing parkland
PARCS; Public
Works; DARM
1 to 2 years General fund,
$55,000
Policy
PF-1.3
P-4B Parks
Environmental
Cleanup
Remediate toxic sites
on and/or adjacent
to existing parkland
and prepare the
sites for other
potential uses, with
the remediation of
Hyde Park being a
high priority; seek
funds to implement
remediation
PARCS; Public
Works
2 to 5 years EPA Brownfield
grants or other
grant funds
Policy
PF-1.2
P-5 Park Safety Address delinquent
activity and vagrant
populations on
parkland through
a ranger program,
increased
enforcement, or
additional PARCS
programming
PARCS; Police
Department
FY2018 and
ongoing
Redirection
of existing
resources
SP
GOAL/
POLICY
MEASURE
NUMBER
MEASURE
NAME DESCRIPTION
RESPONSIBLE
PARTY;
SUPPORT PARTIES
TIME
FRAME FUNDING
TABLE 8-8 Implementation Action Plan Matrix: Parks and Urban Greening Chapter 8 | Implementation 8-31
TABLE 8-8 (CONTINUED) Implementation Action Plan Matrix: Parks and Urban Greening Goal PF-2 P-6 New Park Master
Plans
Develop a
conceptual
master plan for
neighborhood parks
in each geographic
quarter-section
with the first new
development
proposed
DARM; PARCS Concurrent
with future
development
proposals and
Fresno Parks
Master Plan
Development:
DIF
Policy
PF-2.1
P-7 Develop New
Parks
Develop and
maintain new
neighborhood and
community parks
PARCS; Public
Works
Subsequent
to future
development
proposals
Current
Parks Impact
Fees and
dedications
and a variety
of other
sources
Goal PF-3;
Policy
PF-3.1
P-8 Community
Landscapes Plan
Develop a plan
to plant trees on
strategic properties
in Southwest Fresno,
host community
education events,
and plant 500 trees
and provide initial
tree care
DARM; Tree Fresno 2018 Community
Development
Block Grant;
$190,000
SP
GOAL/
POLICY
MEASURE
NUMBER
MEASURE
NAME DESCRIPTION
RESPONSIBLE
PARTY;
SUPPORT PARTIES
TIME
FRAME FUNDING
8-32 Southwest Fresno Specific Plan | Adopted on October 26, 2017 Southwest Fresno Specific Plan | Glossary
GLOSSARY
Annexation The legal process of cities and towns acquiring adjacent unincorporated territory/land and thereby expanding their boundaries.
Arterial Four- to six-lane divided (median island separation) roadways, with somewhat limited motor vehicle access to abutting properties, and with the primary purpose of moving traffic within and between neighborhoods and to and from freeways and expressways. In addition to major street intersections, appropriately designed and spaced local street intersections may allow leftturn movements to and from the arterial streets.
Average daily traffic The average 24-hour traffic volume on a roadway. Normally, this would be periodic daily traffic volumes over sevearal days, not adjusted for days of the week or seasons of the year.
Awning A rooflike extension, usually over a doorway and attached to an exterior wall, that provides protection from outdoor conditions such as sun or rain.
Bicycle-sensitive detection Device used at traffic signals to detect the presence of a bicycle and alert the traffic signal controller of bicycle crossing demand. Proper bicycle detection should accurately detect bicyclists and provide clear bicyclists how to actuate detection (e.g., what button to push, where to stand).
Biofiltration swale A sloped channel or ditch that uses vegetation, such as grasses, to provide flow and treatment of stormwater runoff.
Bollard A short post used to prevent traffic from entering an area.
Broken bike lane A bike lane with dashed line striping typically used at approaches to intersections to indicate where vehicles may enter or cross a bike lane Buffered bike lane Bike lane that is separated from the adjacent general-purpose vehicle travel lane or parking lane by a pattern of standard logitudinal markings. The buffer area might include chevron or diagonal markings.
Build-out The level of development characterized by full occupancy of all developable sites in a particular time horizon.
Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) A bus-based mass transit system with specialized design, services, and infrastructure to improve system quality and remove the typical causes of delay. BRT combines the speed, reliability and amenities of rail-based rapid transit systems with the flexibility of buses.
Southwest Fresno Specific Plan | Adopted on October 26, 2017 California High-Speed Rail
Authority
California State Agency responsible for planning, designing, building and operation of the first high-speed rail system in the nation, the California HighSpeed Train.
Capital Improvement Program
(CIP)
The multi-year scheduling of public physical improvements based on studies of fiscal resources available and the choice of specific improvements to be constructed.
Carpool/vanpool Arrangement between people to make a regular journey in a single vehicle.
Vanpools are a type of carpool designed for carrying a larger number of passengers, and is often provided by an organization for work-related transportation.
City Council The City Council is the governing body of the City of Fresno and, except where expressly limited by the City Charter, is vested with all powers of legislation in municipal affairs. As the legislative body, the City Council is responsible for adoption of the Plan, subject to Mayoral veto or referendum, and any amendments to the Plan.
City limit The incorporated boundaries of the City of Fresno.
City or City of Fresno
(capitalized) and city or city of
Fresno (non-capitalized)
Capitalized “City” refers to the municipal entity and its functions as a local government entity which is also referred to as “City of Fresno” while noncapitalized “city” refers to the geographical area or the people of Fresno which is also referred to as “city of Fresno.”
Class I Bikeway Bike path or shared use path, which provides a completely separated rightof-way designated for the exclusive use of bicycles and pedestrians with crossflows by motorists minimized.
Class II Bikeway Bike lanes which provide a restricted right-of-way designated for the exclusive or semiexclusive use of bicycles with through travel by motor vehicles or pedestrians prohibited, but with vehicle parking and crossflows by pedestrians and motorists permitted.
Class III Bikeway Bike routes which provide a right-of-way on-street or off-street, designated by signs or permanent markings and shared with pedestrians and motorists.
Class IV - Cycle Track See Class IV - separated bikeway.
Class IV - Separated Bikeway Cycle tracks or separated bikeways, which promote active transportation and provide a right-of-way designated exclusively for bicycle travel adjacent to a roadway and which are separated from vehicular traffic. Types of separation include, but are not limited to, grade separation, flexible posts, inflexible physical barriers, or on-street parking.
Collector Two- to four-lane undivided (opposing travel lanes not separated by a median island) roadways, with the primary function of connecting local streets and arterials and neighborhood traffic generators and providing access to abutting properties.
Southwest Fresno Specific Plan | Glossary
Colorized conflict area Green colored pavement within a bike lane or within an extension of a bike lane may be used to call attention visually to conflict areas between bicyclists and motorists.
Community Facilities District
(CFD)
A method used by local government to finance public improvements and services. A CFD is created by a sponsoring local government agency.
The proposed district includes all properties that will benefit from the improvements to be constructed or the services to be provided. A CFD cannot be formed without a two-thirds majority vote of residents living within the proposed boundaries. Or, if there are fewer than 12 residents, the vote is instead conducted of current landowners. In many cases, that may be a single owner or developer. Once approved, a Special Tax Lien is placed against each property in the CFD. Property owners then pay a Special Tax each year. If the project cost is high, municipal bonds are sold by the CFD to provide the large amount of money initially needed to build the improvements or fund the services.
Community garden A cooperatively-managed garden in an urbanized area. Community gardens can be a source of fresh produce and provide learning opportunities for community members.
Complete streets Streets which are designed and operated to enable safe, attractive, and comfortable access and travel for all users, including motorists, pedestrians, bicyclists, children, seniors, individuals with disabilities, and users of public transportation.
Connector Two- to three-lane undivided roadways planned to provide access to larger, well integrated neighborhoods typically 40 to 160 acres in size and generally having a range of residential densities and one or more supporting uses, such neighborhood-serving recreational open space, school, civic, quasi-public and shopping.
Corner radius Describes the radius of a corner arc connecting two straight lines. At the intersection of roadways, the corner radius describes the redius of the arc at the corner of the intersection where two sidewalks on intersecting streets come together.
County (capitalized) and
county (non-capitalized)
Non-capitalized county refers to the geographical area or the people of the county of Fresno. Capitalized County refers to the local government which is also referred to as either the County of Fresno or Fresno County.
Cross flow Locations where travel paths cross each other. For example, the location where vehicles turn into driveways across bike lanes, bike paths, or sidewalks is a cross flow.
Curb bulbouts Also known as "curb extensions," bulbouts are extensions of a raised curb into the street, increasing the visibility of pedestrians. Curb extensions also create shorter crossings for pedetrians and increase available space for street furniture, benches, plantings, and street trees.
Southwest Fresno Specific Plan | Adopted on October 26, 2017 Detention basin Facilities classified according to the broad function they serve, such as storage, diversion or detention. Detention facilities are constructed to retard flood
runoff and minimize the effect of floods.
Development impact fee A fee levied on the developer of a project by a city, county, or other public agency as compensation for otherwise-unmitigated impacts the project will produce. California Government Code Section 54990 specifies that development fees shall not exceed the estimated reasonable cost of providing the service for which the fee is charged. To lawfully impose a development fee, the public agency must verify its method of calculation and document proper restrictions on use of the fund.
Drainage area A drainage area is an area in the natural environment where rainwater runoff and stormwater naturally collects. Human activity and construction of homes have the effect of changing the size and shape of a drainage area.
Environmental Impact Report
(EIR)
A document used to evaluate the potential environmental impacts of a project, evaluate reasonable alternatives to the project, and identify mitigation measures necessary to minimize the impacts. The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) requires that the agency with primary responsibility over the approval of a project (the lead agency) evaluate the project’s potential significant impacts in an EIR.
Environmental justice Environmental Justice refers to the fair treatment of all people of all races, cultures, and incomes with respect to the development, adoption, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies.
Flexible/inflexible posts Vertical delineator posts used to provide guidance to motorists. These posts may bs used to separate Class IV separated bikeways from adjacent vehicle travel lanes. See Class IV - Separated Bikeway.
Floor area ratio (FAR) The ratio between gross floor area of structures on a site and gross site area.
Thus, a building with a floor area of 100,000 square feet on a 50,000 squarefoot lot will have a FAR of 2.0.
Frontage The area between the façade of a building and an abutting feature such as a sidewalk, street, beach, or waterbody.
General fund Monies from local property and sales taxes, and other revenue sources, that pay for City of Fresno services.
General Plan This document, including the adopted Housing Element, which is an integrated, internally consistent, comprehensive, and long-range set of goals, objectives, policies, implementation measures and diagrams for the general physical development of the city and any land outside the City’s boundaries which bears relation to the City’s planning.
Southwest Fresno Specific Plan | Glossary
General Plan horizon The level of development predicted to occur by 2035, in accordance with the General Plan.
Goal A goal is a general direction-setter. It is an ideal future end related to the public health, safety or general welfare. A goal is a general expression of community values and, therefore, may be abstract in nature and is generally not quantifiable or time-dependent.
Green bike lane Green colored pavement may be used within a bicycle lane or within an extension of a bicycle lane to enhance the visibility of the bicycle lane or extension.
Greenhouse gases Greenhouse gases are gases in the atmosphere that absorb and emit radiation within the thermal infrared range. This process is the fundamental cause of the greenhouse effect. Carbon dioxide, methane, and ozone are examples of greenhouse gases.
Groundcover Plants that grow low to the ground and covers/conceals an area of bare earth.
Hardscape Hard, solid elements in landscape design such as walkways, concrete patios, rocks, decks, and pavers.
Heat island effect The result of an urban area being significantly warmer in temperature than its surrounding areas due to activities generated by its population such as energy usage, pollution emissions, and development.
High-visibility crosswalks A crosswalk marking pattern that provided added visibility of the crosswalk.
Includes white diagonal lines at a 45-degree angle (diagonal) or white longitudinal lanes parallel to traffic flow (continental/ladder/bar pair/double continental).
Implementation Measure An implementation measure is an action, procedure, program or technique that carries out general plan policy.
Infill development The process of developing vacant or under-used parcels within existing urban areas that are already largely developed.
Landscape strip A landscaped area typically located between roadway and sidewalk Level of Service (LOS) A qualitative measure describing operational conditions within a traffic stream and the perception of motorists and/or passengers regarding these conditions. A level of service definition generally describes these conditions in terms of such factors as traffic volumes, speed and travel time, delays at traffic signals, freedom to maneuver, traffic interruptions, comfort, convenience, and safety.
Southwest Fresno Specific Plan | Adopted on October 26, 2017 Mitigation measure Action taken to avoid, minimize, or eliminate environmental impacts.
Mitigation includes: avoiding the impact altogether by not taking a certain action or parts of an action; minimizing impacts by limiting the degree or magnitude of the action and its implementation; rectifying the impact by repairing, rehabilitating, or restoring the affected environment; reducing or eliminating the impact over time by preservation and maintenance during the life of the action; and compensating for the impact by repairing or providing substitute resources or environments.
Multi-modal street A street or roadway supporting more than one mode of transportation such as vehicle, bicycle, transit, and/or walking.
Multi-use trail See Class I Bikeway.
Parklet A small seating area or green space created as a public amenity on or alongside a roadway, typically in a former on-street parking area.
Pedestrian hybrid beacon A special type of hybrid beacon used to warn and control traffic at an unsignalized location to assist pedestrians in crossing a street or highway at a marked crosswalk.
Pedestrian-oriented
development
Development designed with an emphasis on the street sidewalk and on pedestrian access to the building, rather than an auto access and parking areas.
Performance standard A statement representing a commitment by a public agency to attain a specified level or quality of performance through its programs and policies.
Permeable pavement/paving A type of porous pavement material used to cover the ground, but still allow for the movement of stormwater through the surface, reducing runoff and filtering pollutants from the water.
Planning Commission The City of Fresno Planning Commission. The Planning Commission hears, reviews, and makes recommendations to the City Council on development, land use, and environmental issues, including the General Plan, zoning and subdivision ordinances, and other land use regulations.
Policy A policy is a specific statement that guides decision-making and indicates a commitment of the local legislative body to a particular course of action to accomplish goals and objectives.
Ponding basin (retention/
detention)
See detension and/or retention basin.
Protected signal phasing A mode of traffic control signal operation in which left or right turns are permitted to be made when a left or right green arrow signal indication is displayed. This is in contrast to permissive phasing, in which left or right turns are permitted to be made after yielding to pedstrians, if any, and/or opposing traffic, if any, during a circular green signal indication.
Southwest Fresno Specific Plan | Glossary
Public access easement A defined area where access is granted for public use and enjoyment such as a pathway that leads to a public amenity.
Public right-of-way (ROW) A continuous strip of land reserved for or actually occupied by a road, crosswalk, railroad, electric transmission lines, oil or gas pipeline, water line, sanitary storm sewer or other similar use, which may be an easement, fee (ownership) or other
interest in land.
Rain garden A planted area that is depressed from the ground to allow the collection of stormwater runoff from impervious surfaces.
Raised curb An elevated edge adjacent to a street or roadway. May be used to separate a Class IV separated bikeway from adjacent travel lane. See Class IV - Separated Bikeway.
Rectangular rapid flashing
beacon
A warning beacon that uses rectangular-shaed high-intensity LED-based indications that flash rapidly in a wig-wag "flickering" flash pattern, and is mounted with a pedestrian crossing warning sign at crossings across uncontrolled approaches.
Rention basin A pond, pool, lagoon, or basin used for the storage of water runoff, which is not pumped to another location.
Ride share See carpool/vanpool.
Road diet A roadway reconfiguration that involves converting existing multi-lane streets into roadways with fewer vehicle travel lanes with reclaimed space allocated for other uses, such as turn lanes, bus lanes, bike lanes, sidewalks, parking, or landscaping.
Sharrow A shared lane marking that may be used to assist bicyclists with lateral positioning in a travel lane, alert road users of the lateral location bicyclists are likely to occupy in the traveled way, encourage safe passing of bicyclists by motorists, and reduce the incidence of wrong-way bicycling.
Sightline The line of sight of a driver when navigating a roadway.
Single-occupancy vehicle Vehicle, typically a private automobile, with a driver with no passengers.
Specific Plan Refers to a plan that provides detailed design and implementation tools for a specific portion of the area covered by a general plan. A Specific Plan may include all regulations, conditions, programs, and/or proposed legislation which may be necessary or convenient for the systematic implementation of any general plan element(s).
Southwest Fresno Specific Plan | Adopted on October 26, 2017 Sphere of Influence (SOI) The ultimate service area of an incorporated city, as established by the Fresno Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCo).
Stormwater management A coordinated strategy to minimize the speed and volume of stormwater runoff, control water pollution, and maximize groundwater recharge.
Telecommuting Working from home, making use of the Internet, email, and the telephone.
Traffic calming Measures taken to deliberately slow vehicle travel speeds, reduce negative effects of motor vehicle use, alter driver behavior, and improve conditions for non-motorized users. This includes measures such as speed humps, speed tables, traffic diverters, curb extensions, chicanes, and chokers.
Transit Oriented Development
(TOD)
A development or planning concept typified by the location of residential and commercial districts around a transit station or corridor with high quality service, good walkability, parking management and other design features that facilitate transit use and maximize overall accessibility.
Transportation Demand
Management (TDM)
Measures to improve the movement of persons and goods through better and more efficient utilization of existing transportation systems (e.g., streets and roads, freeways and bus systems) and measures to reduce the number of single-occupant vehicles utilized for commute purposes.
Tree canopy The upper layer of a tree made up of leaves, branches, and stems, which creates shade, greenery, and biological habitat to its surroundings.
Tree grate A metal plate with holes that is installed flush to the ground and over a street tree's roots to allow pedestrians more space to walk and to allow water and air to pass through to the tree.
Uncontrolled crosswalk/
intersection
A crosswalk or intersection where traffic on the major street is not controlled by a traffic control device, such as a traffic signal, stop sign, or yield sign.
Use The purpose for which a lot or structure is or may be leased, occupied, maintained under the Development Code and General Plan land use designation.
Utility box An enclosure that contains electrical devices that serve and provide utilities such as gas and electricity.
Wayfinding Information systems that guide people through a physical environment and enhance their understanding and experience of the space. It is particularly important in complex built environments such as urban centers, health care and educational campuses, and transportation facilities.
Yield line A row of solid white isosceles triaples poiting toward approaching vehicles extending across all approach lanes to indicate the point at which the yield is intended or required to be made.