336 Pacific Avenue, Shafter, CA 93263
Meeting Held In-Person and Via Zoom and Livestream on YouTube.
AGENDA
SPECIAL MEETING
SHAFTER CITY COUNCIL
TUESDAY, MAY 6, 2025
NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC:
Any documents produced by the City and distributed to a majority of the City Council regarding any item on this agenda will be made available in the City Clerk’s Office during normal business hours at City Hall located at 336 Pacific Avenue, Shafter CA. In addition, such documents will be posted on the City’s website at www.shafter.com.
CALL TO ORDER: 4:30 PM
ROLL CALL: Mayor Givens
Mayor Pro Tem Olvera
Council Member Alvarado
Council Member Espinoza
Council Member Prout
APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Those persons wishing to speak on any item included on the agenda, or on any matter within the subject matter jurisdiction of the City Council, are invited to speak from the podium and address the City Council. Speakers are limited to five minutes unless additional time is needed for translation. Please state your name and address for the record before making your presentation.
MANAGEMENT REPORT:
1. LERDO RESIDENTIAL PROJECT PRESENTATION: Council receive and file. This item is for discussion purposes only.
ROLL CALL
ADJOURNMENT:
Pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance to participate in a City Council Meeting, please contact the City Clerk at (661) 746-5000 at least three (3) days prior to the meeting or time the special services are needed to allow City staff in making reasonable arrangements to provide you with access to the meeting. Any public record, relating to an open session agenda item, that is distributed
Shafter City Council Agenda
May 6, 2025
within 72 hours prior to the meeting is available for public inspection in the City Clerk’s Office at Shafter City Hall, 336 Pacific Ave., Shafter, CA 93263. This is to certify that this Agenda notice was posted at City Hall and Police Dept. by 5:00 p.m., May 1, 2025.
Yazmina Pallares, S/S, City Clerk
REMOTE PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IS ALLOWED IN THE FOLLOWING WAYS, SEE BELOW FOR INSTRUCTIONS.
1. You are strongly encouraged to observe the City Council meetings live via YouTube https://www.youtube.com/user/CityofShafter/
2. If you wish to make a comment on a specific agenda item or public comment, please submit your comment via email by 4:30 PM on May 6, 2025 to the City Clerk at [email protected]
3. If you wish to make a written comment to the City Clerk, 336 Pacific Avenue, Shafter, CA 93263.
4. If you wish to make a comment during the live meeting, callers must first register with the City Clerk at 661-746-5012 before the meeting begins to receive instructions and the call- in number and code. Please call by 5:00pm on the Monday prior to the City Council meeting to allow ample time for sign up. You will need to provide your name, phone number and the item number you wish to address.
5. All public comments are provided to the City Council and applicable Staff, for review and consideration by the Board prior to taking action on any matters listed on the agenda and are incorporated into the official record of the City Council meeting.
Shafter City Council Agenda
May 6, 2025
336 Pacific Avenue, Shafter, CA 93263
Meeting Held In-Person and Via Zoom and Livestream on YouTube.
NOTICE OF
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE SHAFTER CITY COUNCIL
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a special meeting of the City Council of the City of Shafter will be held on May 6, 2025. The meeting will convene at 4:30 PM, in the Council Chamber at Shafter City Hall, 336 Pacific Avenue, Shafter, California and via teleconference and Livestream on YouTube. Said special meeting shall be for the following purpose:
MANAGEMENT REPORT:
1. LERDO RESIDENTIAL PROJECT PRESENTATION: Council receive and file.
This item is for discussion purposes only. ROLL CALL
Yazmina Pallares, City Clerk
Affidavit of Posting Special Meeting Notice
This is to certify that this Special Meeting Notice was posted at City Hall and the Police Department by 5:00 p.m., May 1, 2025. Further information regarding this Agenda Notice is available at City Hall, 336 Pacific Ave., Shafter, CA.
Yazmina Pallares, S/S, City Clerk Dated: May 1, 2025
MANAGEMENT REPORT
CITY OF SHAFTER
CITY COUNCIL REPORT
MEETING DATE: May 6, 2025
DEPARTMENT: Lance Lippincott, City Manager
SUBJECT: LERDO RESIDENTIAL PROJECT PRESENTATION
RECOMMENDATION
Council receive and file. This item is for discussion purposes only.
BACKGROUND
The Wonderful Company is currently anticipating a residential buildout that could total more than 3,000 homes north of Lerdo, between Cherry and approximately Driver Roads. After the first joint meeting between City Council and the Planning Commission to receive an overview of the project, it was requested that this project be brought back for additional discussion. The Wonderful Company will present their vision on the project, and be available to answer questions from Council.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact related to this informational item.
CEQA ANALYSIS
This item does not require discretionary action as it is for informational purposes only.
Therefore, it does not trigger CEQA review.
APPROVED BY THE CITY ATTORNEY
Not Applicable
ATTACHMENTS
1. CC Pres Wonderful_May6_2025 SENT
Lerdo Residential Project
Shafter City Council Session
May 6, 2025
Lerdo Residential Project | 2
Lerdo Residential Project / Proyecto residencial de Lerdo Other
Residential
Growth Area
Jobs
Center ~600 Acres
1 mile east of
Downtown Shafter
1 milla al este del
centro de Shafter
Core
Shafter Lerdo Hwy
Tulare Ave Plan Area
High-Speed Rail
Rt 99 Cherry Avenue Bypass
Merced Ave
7th Standard Rd
General Plan Lerdo Highway Visioning Area
Lerdo Residential Project | 3
• Creating a future growth area that is an extension of core Shafter • Provide direct connections to core Shafter
• Complement existing retail and businesses with community focused retail and services • Provide a diversity of housing types for all stages of life and different levels of affordability Ensuring the Future Wellbeing of Shafter
Lerdo Residential Project | 4
Connect to Shafter: Context + Connections
Sports Park
To Industrial Park
Downtown
Shafter
Planned
Housing
Lerdo
Residential
Project
Rt 99 Bypass
Project;
Connection to
Industrial Park
Connect to
Core Shafter +
Sports Park
Lerdo Hwy
Tulare Ave
Cherry Ave
Lerdo Residential Plan Area
Bike Path
Along
Canal
Work with City on
Cycle-Track Bike
Connection on
Tulare
Lerdo Highway Visioning Area
Lerdo Residential Project | 5
Address Diverse Community Needs
Young
Couple
Recent
Graduate
Working
Family with
Young Kids
Family with
Grandparents
Living with them Mid-career
Person with
No Kids
Senior
Citizens
We are a family of four
with my grandparents
living with us. We
would like a place with
two separate homes
and kitchens.
I just got my first
job, I’m looking
for a 2-bedroom
apartment to rent
with a friend
My fiancé and I are
not ready to buy our
forever home but
would like to get into
the market and buy a
small home near
restaurants
We are looking for a
home we can grow
into, we can afford a
2-3 bedroom now
but would like the
option to expand
later. Someplace
safe where our kids
are free to bike
around to nearby
parks
I love Shafter but don’t
want to own a home or
take care of a yard. My
priorities are being near
restaurants and
shopping. I also love
being able to walk and
to be near nature
I am ready to be in a
smaller home and be
around friends that are my
age, but I want to be close
to my family and friends. I
am looking for a small
apartment in a senior
community.
As a single parent, I need
a home that is safe,
affordable, and close to
schools and childcare. I’m
looking for a place where
my kids can play safely
outside, and I can
manage work and family
without a long commute.
Single
Parent
with
Kids
Lerdo Residential Project | 6
• Diversity of Housing Types ◦ Large lots, Medium Lots, Small Lots, Duplexes, Four-plex, Multifamily • Opportunity for Multigenerational Housing ◦ ADUs (accessory dwelling units) ◦ Multiple Homes Allowed on Lot
• Small Lot Housing ◦ Smaller lots with minimum private open space ◦ Smaller houses with less floor area
• Creative Financing ◦ Down payment assistance
◦ Deferred land and profit costs
• Rental Housing
• Senior Housing
Approach to Housing Affordability
Lerdo Residential Project | 7
1. Connect to and Integrate with Shafter
Create a safe pedestrian and bike connection to downtown, schools, and sports complex.
2. Community-Oriented Gathering Places
Create public spaces like a central plaza and neighborhood parks to promote cultural expression through social gathering, art, and events.
3. Neighborhood Serving Retail
Provide space for retail, restaurants, grocery stores, entertainment, small businesses, and other neighborhood serving services.
4. Community Services
Offer community spaces and services such as a senior center, youth center, daycare, health care, school, community gardens, and spaces for gathering for religious and social meetings.
5. Access to Shade
To reduce the heat island effect and create a walkable, healthy, and resilient community, provide an extensive tree canopy along streets, sidewalks, pathways, and throughout public spaces.
6. Access to Nature
Create new natural spaces and integrate nature into the landscape design of streets and open spaces.
7. Access to Recreation
Create spaces for sports and gathering like soccer, volleyball, pickleball, tennis, and playgrounds.
8. Plan for Walkability and Biking
Create a shaded network of sidewalks, walking paths, and bikeways that easily connect people to shared community spaces and downtown.
9. Safe, Resilient, Healthy
Create a safe, resilient, healthy with slow streets, shade, eyes on the street, city services, access to healthcare, and community services.
10. Diversity of Housing
Offer a variety of housing types for different life stages and affordability levels, with options for homeowners to expand their homes as needed.
11. Cultural Expression and Individual Creativity
Allow for cultural expression and individual creativity in landscape design, building facades, color-use, and ornamentation.
Project Vision and Goals
Lerdo Residential Project | 8
Key Design Concepts
Lerdo Residential Project |
9 Design Concepts
Lerdo Residential Project | 10
Draft Urban Design Framework Plan
Program
Retail/Commercial
40,000-80,000 sf
Up to 150,000 sf
Residential:
3,000-3,500 units
Large-Lot (>8,000 sf)
200-300 homes
Medium Lot (4,500 - 8,000 sf)
1,400-1,800 homes
Small Lot (2,000 - 4,500 sf)
600-900 homes
Multifamily
300-600 homes
Lerdo Residential Project | 11
Lerdo Highway
Centralized Community Amenities and Village Center/Zocalo Village Center
Tulare Ave
Community Park
School
Lerdo Residential Project | 12
Greenway Connection and Open Space
Lerdo Highway
School
Site
Greenway Park
that connects the
community to the
Village Center
Tulare Ave
Lerdo Residential Project | 13
Neighborhood Parks Neighborhood
Parks with
playgrounds and
gathering places
within 5 min walk
Lerdo Highway
School
Site
Tulare Ave
Lerdo Residential Project | 14
Lerdo Highway
School
Site
Canal Open Space and Natural Area
Canal Open Space
and Natural Area
that Connects the
Community
Activities may include:
Hiking Trails, Ped/Bike
Path on Canal,
Community Gardens, Dog
Park, Picnic Areas… and
more Tulare Ave
Lerdo Residential Project | 15
Lerdo Highway
School
Site
Community Park
Community Park
Activities may include:
Full-size soccer pitch,
playgrounds, picnic areas,
community garden,
hiking trails, natural
areas… and more.
Tulare Ave
Lerdo Residential Project | 16
Village Center: Town Plaza (Zocalo) + Community Park
Community
Park
Covered
Sports
Park
Village Center
School Site
Calloway
Canal
Open Space
And Natural
Area
Connection to
High School +
Downtown
Shafter
Lerdo Residential Project | 17
• Estimated Commercial: 40,000-80,000 sf
◦ Up to 150,000 sf being studied in specific plan
◦ Potential for hotel or larger grocer store
• Neighborhood focused retail and services
◦ Restaurants
◦ Small Grocery/Bakery/Butcher
◦ Personal Services (salon, nails, cleaners, etc.)
◦ Daycare
• Right-size retail to compliment existing
commercial in Shafter
• Opportunities for office spaces for small
businesses
• Opportunities for Hotel
Retail Strategy
Potential Hotel
On Lerdo Hwy
Office space for
small business
Small Grocery
Market
Restaurants and
Local Services
Community Center
Plaza / Zocalo
Lerdo Residential Project | 18
Creating a Complete Community
Medium Lots Large Lots
Single-family
ADU’s/Duplexes
Small Lots
Small Single Family;
Narrow Lots;
Townhomes; Cottage
Clusters
Multifamily
Community
Park
Calloway Canal
Village
Center
Lerdo Residential Project | 19
◦ Housing for different stages of life (from young adult to retirement ages) ◦ Different levels of affordability (rental and ownership) ◦ Properties that can grow over time for expanding families and rental opportunities Diversity of Housing Types
Lerdo Residential Project | 20
• Front Yards
• Porches
• Shared Spaces
• Detached garages
to create front yards
Community Focused Design
Lerdo Residential Project | 21
Plan Overview
Community
Park
Village Center
School
Site
Community
Solar Farm
Calloway Canal
• Create a Village Center
• Connect the Community
• Create a Walkable Street Network
• Diversity of Housing Types
Lerdo Residential Project | 22
Project Timeline
Project Vision
And Goals
Design
Concepts and
Alternatives
Land Use and
Site Plan
Refinement
Develop
Specific Plan
Ready to
Build
Project
Application
February 2025
Environmental
Analysis
2025-2026
Project
Entitlements
May 2026
Fall
2024
Winter
2025
Spring
2025
Spring
2026 2027+
We Are Here
5/6
CC Study
Session
5/21
City-wide
Meeting
2/18
CC Study
Session
11/14
City-wide
Meeting
11/4
Community
Working
Group
1/30
Community
Working
Group
One Year Design Process and CEQA Analysis
• Ford Theater; 6-8 pm
• Interactive Activity
• Feedback on Site Plan + Housing Types
Thank you!
End
Lerdo Residential Project | 24
Lerdo Residential
Draft Land Use Plan
April 2025
Lerdo Residential Project | 25
Draft Land Use Plan
Legend
• LR-1: Lowest Density
• Medium and Large Lots
• LR-2: Medium Density 1
• Medium and Small Lots
• LR-3: Medium Density 2
• Small and Medium Lots
• LR-CM: Multifamily
• LR-MU:
Commercial/Mixed-use
• LR-P: Public/Community
• SF: Solar Farm or LR-1
• CB: Calloway Canal Parcel
• Plazas and
Neighborhood Parks