CITY OF FRESNO
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT FOR
933 N PARKWAY DR - HOMEKEY+ APPLICATION
THE PROJECT DESCRIBED HEREIN IS DETERMINED TO BE EXEMPT FROM THE
PREPARATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL DOCUMENTS
PURSUANT TO ARTICLE 19 OF THE STATE CEQA GUIDELINES.
APPLICANT: Danny Tohme
City of Fresno
(559) 621-8055
[email protected]
PROJECT LOCATION: 933 North Parkway Drive, located west of North Parkway Drive, between West Olive and West Belmont Avenues.
APN: 449-335-32
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The application proposes the conversion of an existing City owned shelter (105 units) into permanent affordable housing (85 units) through a State Homekey+ grant. The site is served by existing parking and utilities and is located on a mixed-use corridor. The property is zoned NMX (Neighborhood Mixed Use).
This project is exempt under Section 15268 (Ministerial Projects) of the California Environmental Quality Act.
Ministerial projects are exempt from the requirements of CEQA. Projects funded through HCD loans or grants under HSC §§50675.1.3 or 50675.2 for acquiring, rehabilitating, converting, or constructing permanent supportive housing for people who are homeless, chronically homeless, or at risk of homelessness as defined in 24 C.F.R. §578.3, and who are living with a behavioral health challenge, shall be considered by right and subject to streamlined ministerial review if all required criteria are met:
1) It is located in a zone where multifamily residential use, office, retail, or parking are a principally permitted use.
Project Complies: The subject project is located within the neighborhood mixed use (NMX) zone district, where multifamily residential, office, retail, and parking uses are permitted by right. According to Fresno Municipal Code Section 15-1101, the purpose of the NMX district is to establish mixed-use residential areas that incorporate local-serving commercial development.
2) At least 75 percent of the perimeter of the site adjoins parcels that are developed with urban uses.
Project Complies: The entire site perimeter is bordered by parcels developed with urban uses. Single-unit residences are located to the west and south, hotel uses are located to the north, and a commercial use is bordering the property to the east. 3) It satisfies the requirements specified in subparagraphs (B) to (K), inclusive, of paragraph (6) of subdivision (a) of Section 65913.4 of the Government Code.
Project Complies: Government Code Section 65913.4(a)(6)(B) through (K) does not allow development on a site if it is located in any of the following: properties that are defined as prime farmland, wetlands, within high fire hazard severity zones, hazardous waste sites, within a delineated earthquake fault zone, within a special flood hazard area, within a regulatory floodway, identified in a natural community conservation plan, serves as a habitat for protected species, or is under a conservation easement. The subject property has been developed and does not fall into any of the aforementioned categories. 4) It is not on a site or adjoined to any site where more than one-third of the square footage on the site is dedicated to industrial use.
Project Complies: Neither the subject property nor any adjoining parcels are zoned or designated for industrial uses. The project site is planned for neighborhood mixed use, along a mixed-use corridor, and is surrounded by residential and commercial uses. 5) The development will meet the following objective zoning standards, objective subdivision standards, and objective design review standards:
(i) The applicable objective standards shall be those for the zone that allows residential use at a greater density between the following:
(I) The existing zoning designation for the parcel if existing zoning allows multifamily residential use.
(II) The zoning designation for the closest parcel that allows residential use at a density deemed appropriate to accommodate housing for lower income households in that jurisdiction as specified in paragraph (3) of subdivision (c) of Section 65583.2 of the Government Code.
(ii) The applicable objective standards shall be those in effect at the time that the development application is submitted to the local government pursuant to this section.
(iii) A development proposed pursuant to this section shall be eligible for the same density bonus, incentives or concessions, waivers or reductions of development standards, and parking ratios applicable to a project that meets the criteria specified in subparagraph (G) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of Section 65915 of the Government Code.
Project Complies: The project will comply with all applicable objective development standards in effect at the time the development application is submitted, as required by Government Code Section 65913.4. The project will also be eligible for density bonuses, incentives, concessions, waivers, reductions in development standards, and parking ratios available to comparable projects. The NMX zoning designation permits a minimum residential density of 12 units per acre.
6) No housing units were acquired by eminent domain.
Project Complies: None of the housing units associated with this project were acquired through eminent domain. The site is owned by the City and was previously operated as a shelter containing 105 units.
7) The housing units will be in decent, safe, and sanitary condition at the time of their occupancy.
Project Complies: All housing units will meet standards for decent, safe, and sanitary conditions at the time of occupancy. Housing will be required to comply with applicable California Building Code provisions, including structural integrity, fire and life-safety requirements, plumbing, and electrical standards.
8) The project meets the labor standards contained in Sections 65912.130 and 65912.131 of the Government Code.
Project Complies: The project will comply with the labor requirements set forth in Government Code Sections 65912.130 and 65912.131, and the developers will adhere to all applicable labor standards as a condition of funding.
9) The project provides housing for persons who meet the criteria specified in subdivision (a) of Section 5830 of the Welfare and Institutions Code and their families.
Project Complies: The project will provide housing for individuals who meet the eligibility criteria specified in subdivision (a) of Welfare and Institutions Code Section 5830, as well as their families.
10) Long-term covenants and restrictions require the housing units to be restricted to persons who meet the criteria specified in subdivision (a) of Section 5830 of the Welfare and Institutions Code for no fewer than 30 years.
Project Complies: The project will be subject to long-term covenants and restrictions ensuring that all housing units remain reserved for individuals meeting the criteria of Welfare and Institutions Code Section 5830(a) for a period of no fewer than 30 years.
Section 21080 of the Public Resources Code exempts from the application of CEQA those projects over which public agencies exercise only ministerial authority. The project has been deemed compliant with the criteria of AB 531 and is therefore subject to a ministerial review process.
Date: August 31, 2026
Prepared By: Diego St Clair, Planner
Submitted by:
Philip Skei
Assistant Director
City of Fresno
Planning & Development
Department
(559) 621-8012