Regarding the Text Amendment Application P24-00794, I have the following concerns/comments specifically relating to all of the vacant lots running along both the North and South sides of Herndon Avenue, between N. Marks Avenue and N. Milburn Avenue:
Section 4.1a “Aesthetics”. The study is flawed when it states that there would be less than significant impacts to scenic vistas with RM-3 developments.
RM-3 allows for the construction of up to 45 living units per acre (which could easily house 4 people per unit) and up to 60 feet
in height. Apartment units that are 60 feet in height would be a blight on a neighborhood that consists of primarily single story dwellings (houses, apartments, condos and townhomes).
If any of the vacant lots along
both sides of Herndon Avenue between Marks and Milburn Avenues were converted to RM-3, it would create an aesthetically unpleasant situation for current residents and for the city.
As an example, I will
refer the Planning Commission to how much the Clinton Avenue Apartments (at 1538 E. Clinton) stand out like a sore thumb when compared to the surrounding neighborhood of single family homes, and they are only 4 stories
high.
Section 4.11. “Land Use Planning”. If RM-3 development is allowed in these lots along the Herndon corridor, it would physically constrict travel between the already established neighborhoods along the North side of Herndon Avenue with access to Herndon Avenue along Marks, Valentine and Brawley Avenues.
RM-3 development in these lots
would introduce new, incompatible uses that are inconsistent with the current land use planning.
I specifically note that the Text
Amendment Application P24-00794 does not propose the
construction of any new roadways which may be needed to handle increased traffic flow if RM-3 zoning is allowed.
Section 4.13. “Noise
”. The study is flawed in that there would be a
significant negative impact due to increased traffic noise, especially during key commute hours.
Section 4.14. “Population and Housing”. The Text Amendment Application P24-00794 would significantly negatively impact the inducement of unplanned population growth in an area originally planned for offices.
Section 4.15. “Public Services”. The allowance of RM construction in these lots would exasperate overcrowding in Tatarian Elementary School. Impaired access of Ladder Fire Trucks at the traffic circle along N. Prospect Avenue has already been addressed in earlier hearings.
There are limited public services, such as medical clinics, grocery stores and pharmacies, along Herndon Avenue between Marks Avenue and Milburn Avenue.
To say there are adequate services along this stretch
of Herndon Avenue is a stretch.
Sections 4.17 a, c and d. “Transportation”. As pointed out above, there already is inadequate emergency vehicle access along the traffic circle on North Prospect Avenue.
Large fire ladder trucks would have a
difficult time negotiating the current traffic flow along North Prospect and the frontage road (called North Valentine Ave). If RM3 is approved for this street, traffic flow will be impeded during peak traffic hours, including any emergency vehicles coming into the area during these times.
The finding in Section 4.17 (a) is flawed in that there are no sidewalks (or bike path) along the Herndon frontage road between North Prospect Ave and N. Valentine Avenue allowing for safe passage of pedestrians and bicyclists.
The construction of high density
apartments at the southeast corner of Brawley and West
Beechwood avenues would negatively impact ingress/egress of vehicles into the neighborhoods to the north/east and west of that intersection, and would negatively increase the traffic flow in and around Tatarian Elementary School and the neighborhoods surrounding the school.
There is inadequate space for parking of the
additional number of cars that would come with the development (you can safely assume that there will be two additional vehicles per apartment unit constructed).
Allowing the development of RM3 units that are 60 feet tall are totally incompatible with the Herndon corridor and all
neighborhoods in Fresno with the exception of downtown where there are other high rise buildings.
Let’s keep the buildings along this section
of the Herndon avenue corridor to two stories or less to fit in with the current neighborhood. The nearest tall building (4 story) along Herndon