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EXHIBIT E – FRESNO MUNICIPAL CODE FINDINGS
Section 15-5811 of the Fresno Municipal Code provides that the Planning Commission shall not recommend and the City Council shall not approve an application unless the proposed Text Amendment meets Criteria A (1 and 2) as noted below.
1. The Code text amendment is consistent with the General Plan, the Fresno County Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan (as may be amended) adopted by the Fresno County Airport Land Use Commission pursuant to California Public Utilities Code Sections 21670 -21679.5 and any applicable operative plans; and
The purpose of the proposed Text Amendment is to amend Sections 15-1302, 15-4907, 15-6702, 15- 6802 of the Fresno Municipal Code, repealing Section 15- 1106 of the Fresno Municipal Code, and establishing Section 15- 2742.5 of the Fresno Municipal Code, to per mit office-to-dwelling conversion and new residential uses in the Office District Citywide. Text Amendment Application No. P24-00794 has been examined with respect to its consistency with the Fresno General Plan and it has been concluded that the proposed Text Amendment is consistent with the following General Plan Policies:
Policy UF-1-a: Diverse Neighborhoods . Support development projects that provide Fresno with a diversity of urban and suburban neighborhood opportunities.
Policy UF-1-d: Range of Housing Types . Provide for diversity and variation of building types, densities, and scales of
development in order to reinforce the identity of individual neighborhoods, foster a variety of market-based options for living and working to suit a large range of income levels, and further affordable housing opportunities throughout the city.
Policy UF-12-d: Appropriate Mixed Use . Facilitate the development of vertical and horizontal mixed- uses to blend residential, commercial, and public land uses on one or adjacent sites.
Ensure land use compatibility between mixed -use districts in Activity Centers and the surrounding residential
neighborhoods.
Text Amendment Application No. P24- 00794 is consistent with the above- referenced Policies of the Fresno General Plan in that it proposes to further expand zones where housing is permitted to allow housing projects in office zone districts for both new construction of residential uses and conversion of existing office buildings to residential uses.
Policy UF-12-a: BRT Corridors . Design land uses and integrate development site plans along BRT corridors, with transit -
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oriented development that supports transit ridership and convenient pedestrian access to bus stops and BRT station stops.
HC-2-d: Mobility for Carless Population. Improve multi -modal mobility for populations that do not have access to a car by connecting neighborhoods to major destinations, including parks; civic facilities; educational institutions; medical facilities; employment centers; shopping destinations; and recreation areas.
LU-5-f: High Density Residential Uses. Promote high- density residential uses to support Activity Centers and BRT
Corridors, and walkable access to transit stops.
HC-2-a: Healthy Neighborhoods. Promote the design of Complete Neighborhoods whose physical layout and land use mix
allow for walking to local stores and services, biking, and transit use; foster community pride; enhance neighborhood identity; encourage public safety; are family -
friendly; and
address the needs of residents of all ages and abilities.
UF-12-b: Activity Centers. Mixed-use designated areas along BRT and/or transit corridors are appropriate for more intensive concentrations of urban uses. Typical uses could include commercial areas; employment centers; schools; compact
residential development; religious institutions
; parks; and
other gathering points where residents may interact, work, and obtain goods and services in the same place.
Text Amendment Application No. P24-00794 supports the above-mentioned policies of the Fresno General Plan in that it includes provisions to permit office-to-dwelling conversion and new residential uses in the Office District Citywide. This zone district include a significant concentration along the City’s transit routes, with a focus on Herndon Avenue –which would promote complete neighborhoods and allow for strategic placement of housing along transit corridors. As a result, the proposed Text Amendment will incorporate a variety of uses that not only promote walkability but contribute to healthier neighborhoods Citywide.
LU-1-a: Promote Development. Promote new development, infill, and rehabilitation of existing building stock in the Downtown Planning Area, along BRT corridors, in established
neighborhoods generally south of Herndon Avenue, and on other infill sites and vacant land within the City.
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LU-2-a: Infill Development and Redevelopment. Promote
development of vacant, underdeveloped, and re-
developable land within the City Limits where urban
services are available by considering the establishment and implementation of supportive regulations and programs.
Text Amendment Application No. P24-00794 aligns with both Policy LU -1-a and LU-2- a of the Fresno General Plan in that it supports infill development and development of vacant, underutilized sites. This Text Amendment also proposes both the conversion of existing office uses to multi-unit residential uses and the construction of new multi-unit residential uses on vacant parcels zoned Office. Permitting the conversion of office buildings to multi -unit residential provides additional opportunities for housing in existing underutilized office buildings. In addition, permitting the development of multi - unit residential on vacant parcels zoned Office further supports development within City limits on existing vacant parcels. For these reasons, Text Amendment Appli cation No.
P24-00794 directly supports the above-mentioned policies of the Fresno General Plan.
2. The amendment is consistent with the purpose of the Development Code to promote the growth of the city in an orderly and sustainable manner and to promote and protect the public health, safety, peace, comfort, and general welfare.
The proposed Text Amendment is consistent with the purpose of the Development Code, in that it will promote the growth of the city in an orderly and sustainable manner by focusing housing adjacent to public transit. In addition, the Text Amendment also proposes a new use classification which would allow the conversion of existing office buildings in the Office zone to multi-unit residential uses. Promoting the conversion and reuse of existing structures facilitates development in a sustainable and efficient manner. Providing additional opportunities for housing projects in proximity to transit reduces reliance on vehicular travel, therefore, reducing Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) and contributing to a healthier, safer environment. In addition to further reducing VMT by locating housing near office uses, t
his Text Amendment seeks to promote the
accessibility of housing and office related uses to provide live and work opportunities in proximity to one another – further contributing to the overall peace and comfort of the general public. For these reasons, the proposed Text Amendment is consistent with the Development Code and will protect the public health, safety, peace, comfort, and general welfare.