Fresno City Council
Tower District Specific Plan Update
1. Background
2. Outreach & Engagement
3. Plan Overview
4. Design Standards and Guidelines
5. Environmental Impact Report
6. Public Comment
7. Findings & Staff Recommendations
PRESENTATION OUTLINE
1. BACKGROUND
Tower District Specific Plan
Demographics & Community Character
2. Outreach and Engagement
Outreach and Planning Process
Outreach and Engagement
• Email
• Direct mail
• Flyers
• Tabling events
• Social media/webpage
• Community workshops
• Implementation Committee meetings
• Canvassing
• Surveys
• Special Events: Tower Rocks
Community Engagement
Community Priorities
Guiding Principles and Health and Equity
3. PLAN OVERVIEW
CONSERVATION AND HISTORIC
PRESERVATION
Historic Resources and Districts
Parks, Park Access, and Park Opportunities
PARKS AND PUBLIC
FACILITIES
Walkscore Map
CIRCULATION
Tower District Specific Plan Land UseExisting General Plan Land Use
LAND USE
Tower District Specific Plan Land UseExisting General Plan Land Use 1 1
2 2
3 3
4 4
5 5
6 6
7 78
8 9 9
10 10
11 11
Overlay Districts
LAND USE
4.DESIGN
STANDARDS +
GUIDELINES
Why add Standards and update the
Guidelines?
• The 2004 Guidelines are over 20 years old and
conditions and design practices have changed.
• Key Guidelines were written into zoning in 2015, when the Citywide Development Code was adopted.
• Specific Plan policies need to be integrated.
• Development feasibility needs to be addressed to
implement Fresno’s Housing Element.
• California law requires “objective standards” to
expedite review of qualifying housing projects
5. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT
Environmental Impact Report
• NOP: May 7, 2025
• Scoping Meeting: May 27, 2025
• Circulation of Draft EIR: August 15-September 29, 2025 • 13 Comments Received
• Final EIR Released: November 7, 2025
Impact Areas Analyzed:
• Air Quality
• Biological Resources
• Cultural and Tribal Resources
• Geology, Soils and Seismicity
• Greenhouse Gas Emissions
• Noise
• Public Services and
Recreation
6. PUBLIC COMMENT
EIR Comments
• Clarifications from public agencies re:
project level implementation
• Clarifications from businesses re:
mitigation measures
• Comments regarding impacts of
industrial uses:
• Aesthetics/lighting
• Air Quality
• Noise
• Lack of park land
• Traffic, including truck traffic
Plan Comments
• Residential density changes
• Parks
• Industrial compatibility
• Residential and entertainment
compatibility, including noise, traffic,
and trash
• Traffic, including truck traffic
• Infill challenges related to electrical
and solid waste services
Design Standards &
Guidelines Comments
• Photos, graphics
• Clarifications regarding:
• Exterior cladding
• Window details
• Garages
• Signage
• Industrial guidelines
Recommended Revisions
Tower District Specific Plan
• Photo replacements
• Caption and map text corrections
• Addition of Belmont Phoenix Palms and
Deodar Cedars as potential historic
resources to Policy CHP 1.7
• Two new policies to help remove barriers
to infill development
• Changes to land use indicator in Health
and Equity section of Appendix B
• Land Use Change Requests
Tower District Design Standards and
Guidelines
• Photo additions and replacements
• Clarifications on
• Garages and carports
• Exterior cladding
• Window details
• Signage
Land Use Change Requests
Request 1 – Technical Correction
• Remove parcels designated as Commercial Main Street
acquired for public right of way
Request 2 – Council Motion
• Council approved motion to change planned land use
and zoning from Medium Density Residential RS-5 to
Neighborhood Mixed Use
Request 3 – Map Correction
• Parcel designated as Neighborhood Mixed Use in error .
Request to change to General Commercial
Request 4 – Land Use Change Request
• Neighborhood Mixed Use to Commercial Community
Request 5 – Land Use Change Request
• Neighborhood Mixed Use to General Commercial
7. FINDINGS & STAFF
RECOMMENDATIONS
Findings and Statement of Overriding Considerations
1. The project meets the objectives established by the City;
2. The project would enhance livability and social diversity within the Tower District by supporting mixed-use infill, reinvestment in aging infrastructure, and new housing opportunities at varied affordability levels. This would improve neighborhood vitality and help meet the City’s housing goals while maintaining the area’s historic character .
3. The project would encourage small business development, cultural programming, and entertainment uses that strengthen the Tower District’s role as a local and regional destination. These activities would generate employment, expand the local tax base, and reinforce the district’s identity as Fresno’s historic arts and cultural hub.
4. The project would support walkability, bicycle and transit connectivity, and multimodal street design consistent with the Fresno General Plan and Active Transportation Plan. By promoting sustainable infill growth, energy efficiency, and reduced vehicle trips, the project would contribute to sustainability and climate-adaptation goals citywide.
5. The project is consistent with and would contribute to achieving the policies, goals, and objectives established by the City of Fresno General Plan.
Staff Recommendations
• Recommend approval of certification of the EIR, including:
• Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program
• Findings of Fact and Statement of Overriding Considerations • Recommend approval of Plan Amendments to repeal the 1991 Tower District Specific Plan and the 2005 Tower District Specific Plan Design Guidelines • Recommend approval of Plan Amendments to adopt the Tower District Specific Plan and the Tower District Design Standards and Guidelines
• Recommend approval of the corresponding Plan Amendment to Figure LU-1 of the Fresno General Plan for 118 acres;
• Recommend approval of the Rezone for consistency with the Plan Amendments for 138 acres, including the Apartment Overlay Zone.
• Recommend approval of changes to the Tower District Specific Plan and Tower District Design Guidelines as detailed in Exhibit D
• Recommend authorization of the Planning and Development Director to update the text, policies, maps, tables and exhibits contained in the documents noted above to reflect the final action of the City Council.
•
End of Presentation