CITY COUNCIL HEARING: Conditional Use Permit Application No.
P23-00835, Planned Development Permit Application No. P23-02080, and related Environmental Assessment
Exhibit S
Additional Comment Letters
BOARD OF EDUCATION
Susan Wittrup, President
Valerie F. Davis, Clerk
Claudia Cazares
Genoveva Islas
Andy Levine
Elizabeth Jonasson Rosas
Keshia Thomas
SUPERINTENDENT
Robert G. Nelson, Ed.D.
March 13, 2024
City of Fresno
Office of the Mayor and City Manager
Members of the Fresno City Council
Planning Department Director & Staff
2600 Fresno Street
Fresno, California 93721
Re: Starbucks Approval – SWC Church Avenue & MLK Jr., Blvd.
Dear Fresno City Officials:
We understand that the decision to approve a Star bucks drive-through at the above location has been appealed to the Fresno City Council. Af ter considering the proposed West Creek Village Development Master Plan and realizing its tremendous positive social, economic, and cultural impact on the surrounding area, FUSD wishes to express its strong support for this project.
After reviewing the many planning demands placed on the project by the City of Fresno, we feel the project is safe, and will ultimately lead to the reduction of GHG emissions sustainable growth rate in the West Creek Village Development Project Area. In addition, the positive impact of this Starbuck’s business and its location enables our staff, students, and the surrounding community to enjoy such services without the use of an auto mobile. The Starbucks will be the largest in the Central Valley and will feature a community room which is a benefit not available to any other residents in the Centra l Valley, and we look forward to using this opportunity to enrich our community and students.
We strongly ask that you give this proposal all respect and consideration in reviewing its approval.
Sincerely,
Robert G. Nelson, Ed.D.
Superintendent
BOARD OF EDUCATION
Susan Wittrup, President
Valerie F. Davis, Clerk
Claudia Cazares
Genoveva Islas
Andy Levine
Elizabeth Jonasson Rosas
Keshia Thomas
SUPERINTENDENT
Robert G. Nelson, Ed.D.
City of Fresno
Office of the Mayor and City Manager
Members of the Fresno City Council
Planning Department Director & Staff
2600 Fresno Street
Fresno, California 93721
Re: Starbucks Approval – SWC Church Avenue & MLK Jr., Blvd.
Dear Fresno City Officials,
We understand that the decision to approve a Starbucks drive-through at the above location has been appealed to the Fresno City Council. After considering the proposed West Creek Village Development Master Plan and realizing its tremendous positive impact on the surrounding area, FUSD wishes to express its strong support for this project.
After reviewing the many planning demands placed on the project by the City of Fresno, we feel the project is safe, and will ultimately lead to the reduction of GHG emissions sustainable growth rate in the West Creek Village Project Area. In addition, we find the positive impact of this Starbuck’s business and its location enables our staff, students, and the surrounding community to enjoy such services without the use of an automobile.
The Starbucks will be the largest in the Central Valley and will feature a community room which is a benefit not available to any other residents in the Central Valley, and we look forward to using this opportunity to enrich our community and students.
We strongly ask that you give this proposal all respect and consideration in reviewing its approval.
Sincerely,
Tobaise Brookins
Principal, Edison Computech
Fresno City College • Reedley College • Clovis Community College • Madera Community College Oakhurst Community College Center • Herndon Campus • The Training Institute • Career & Technology Center
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
State Center Community College District
1171 Fulton x Fresno, California 93721 x (559) 243-7100 x www.scccd.edu
March 20, 2024
City of Fresno
Office of the Mayor and City Manager
Members of the Fresno City Council
Planning Department Director & Staff
2600 Fresno Street
Fresno, California 93721
Re: Starbucks Approval – SWC Church Avenue & MLK Jr., Blvd.
Dear Fresno City Officials:
We understand that the decision to approve a Starbucks at the above location has been appealed to the Fresno City Council. After reviewing the proposed project as well as th e West Creek Village Development Project Master Plan, and realizing their tremendous potential fo r promoting positive social and economic impact on the surrounding area, SCCCD wishes to express its strong support for this project.
We recently surveyed the students and staff who learn and work at the Fresno City College West Fresno Campus. We learned that a vast majority, 89 percent, expressed a desi re to see a Starbucks built near the West Fresno Campus.
While there are concerns about increased traffic, 77 percent of respondents indicated that they would walk to the Starbucks if it were built in the nearby location.
After reviewing the planning requirements placed on the project by the City of Fresno, we understand that the proposed plans have been reviewed by the City Planning Commission and Planning Department and that safety concerns have been addressed. We were pleased to see the additional safe ty precautions put into place as well as the mitigation of traffic. Given this, coupled with the convenient location for our college students, faculty, and staff to walk to this location, we agree that it will ultimately lead to the reduction of GHG emissions and a sustainable growth rate in the West Creek Village Development Project Area.
The positive impact of this Starbucks business and its location enable our st aff, students, and the surrounding community to enjoy such services without the use of an automobile. The Starbuc ks will be the largest in the Central Valley and will feature a community room, which is a benefit not available to any other residents in the Central Valley, and we look forward to using this opportunity to enrich our community and students.
We are anxiously awaiting much needed retail services to complement our vibrant new campus.
We are happy to join Fresno Unified School District, Washington Unified School District, Gaston Middle School, Edison High School, Pastor DJ Criner and the remaining me mbers of the Planning Commission, and other community leaders in asking that you give this proposal positive consideration in reviewing its approval.
Sincerely,
Dr. Carole Goldsmith
Chancellor
State Center Community College District