Planning Commission
Regular MeetingFresno, CA · December 4, 2019
Minutes
City of Fresno City Hall Council
Chambers
2600 Fresno Street
Meeting Minutes
Planning Commission
Wednesday, December 4, 2019 6:00 PM City Hall Council Chambers
2600 Fresno Street
Regular Meeting
The Planning Commission welcomes you to the City Council Chambers, located in
City Hall, 2nd Floor, 2600 Fresno Street, Fresno, California 93721.
The City of Fresno’s goal is to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
in all respects. The meeting room is physically accessible. If, as an attendee or
participant at the meeting, you need additional accommodations such as
interpreters, signers, assistive listening devices, or the services of a translator,
please contact the Office of the City Clerk at (559) 621-7650 or clerk@fresno.gov. To
ensure availability, you are advised to make your request at least 48 hours prior to
the meeting. The agenda and related staff reports are available at www.fresno.gov,
as well as in the Office of the City Clerk.
Metered parking is in effect throughout the downtown area. The general public
wishing to attend a Planning Commission meeting at City Hall may park after 5 p.m.
in the parking lot at the northeast corner of Tulare and P Streets.
The Planning Commission met in regular session in the City Council
Chambers, City Hall, on the date listed above and the time listed below.
I. ROLL CALL
Badhesha (City Attorney's Office); Clark, Sanchez, Tackett, Kachadourian,
George (Planning and Development); Benelli (Public Works); Gray (Public
Utilities)
Present 6 - Commissioner Brad Hardie, Chairperson Serop Torossian,
Commissioner Kathy Bray, Commissioner Debra McKenzie,
Commissioner Peter Vang, and Commissioner Monica Diaz
Absent 1 - Commissioner Raj K. Sodhi-Layne
II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Recital of the pledge was led by Commissioner Diaz.
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Planning Commission Meeting Minutes December 4, 2019
III. PROCEDURES - PROCEDIMIENTOS - KEV SAB LAJ
Chair Torossian outlined the meeting procedures for the benefit of the
public.
IV. AGENDA APPROVAL
Mike Sanchez, Assistant Director of Planning and Development, informed
the Commission there were no changes to the agenda.
MOTION TO APPROVE THE AGENDA.
On motion of Commissioner Bray, seconded by Commissioner
McKenzie, that the above be approved. The motion carried by the
following vote:
Aye: 6 - Commissioner Hardie, Chairperson Torossian,
Commissioner Bray, Commissioner McKenzie, Commissioner
Vang, and Commissioner Diaz
Absent: 1 - Commissioner Sodhi-Layne
A. Consent Calendar Requests
B. Continuance Requests
C. Other Agenda Changes
V. CONSENT CALENDAR
There were no items on the Consent Calendar, thus the Commission did not
take action.
A. Minutes
B. Communications
C. Entitlements
VI. REPORTS BY COMMISSIONERS
There were no reports made by the Commission.
VII. CONTINUED MATTERS
There were no continued matters presented to the Commission.
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Planning Commission Meeting Minutes December 4, 2019
VIII. NEW MATTERS
A. ID19-11604 Consideration of Conditional Use Permit Application No.
P19-02593 request to establish a bar & nightclub with a Type 48
alcohol sales license (On Sale General - Public Premises (Bar,
Night Club) for the sale of beer, wine and distilled spirits for
consumption on the premises where sold) for the proposed
Chido Bar, located at 3315 North Cedar Avenue in the Palm
Plaza Center.
(Council District 4).
1. ADOPT Environmental Assessment for P19-02593 dated
November 20, 2019, a determination that the proposed project is
exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
through a Class 1 Categorical Exemption.
2. DENY the applicant’s appeal and UPHOLD the action of the
Planning and Development Department Director to deny
Conditional Use Permit Application No. P19-02593 request to
establish a bar/nightclub with a Type 48 alcohol sales license.
Ralph Kachadourian, Supervising Planner, presented the appeal to the
Commission.
Commissioners Vang and Diaz asked staff question regarding proximity to
schools; Commissioner McKenzie asked staff about other uses permitted at
the subject property; Chair Torossian asked staff about ownership of the
business.
Sheryl Brady, representative of the project, spoke on behalf of the project in
support of the appeal.
Robert Laurel, co-owner, spoke on behalf of the project in support of the
appeal.
Commissioners Vang, Diaz, McKenzie, Bray, and Hardie asked Laurel
questions regarding safety, crime, and hours of operation; Laurel clarified.
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Planning Commission Meeting Minutes December 4, 2019
Marie Laurel, co-owner, spoke on behalf of the project in support of the
appeal.
Chair Torossian opened the item up for public discussion. No members from
the public spoke in support or opposition of the appeal.
Chair Torossian closed public discussion and brought the item back to the
dais for discussion. Commissioners Vang and McKenzie provided additional
comment.
MOTION TO APPROVE STAFF'S RECOMMENDATION.
On motion of Commissioner Vang, seconded by Commissioner
Hardie, that the above Action Item be approved. The motion carried by
the following vote:
Aye: 5 - Commissioner Hardie, Chairperson Torossian,
Commissioner Bray, Commissioner Vang, and Commissioner
Diaz
No: 1 - Commissioner McKenzie
Absent: 1 - Commissioner Sodhi-Layne
B. ID19-11610 Consideration of Vesting Tentative Tract Map Application No.
P19-03611 (T-6266) and Planned Development Permit
Application No. P19-03635 and related Environmental
Assessment No. P19-03635 for the proposed development of 38
townhome units on ±2.71 net acres of vacant land located on the
south side of West Sierra Avenue between North Santa Fe and
North Blythe Avenues (APN: 507-320-01)
1. ADOPT Environmental Assessment No. P18-03635 dated
December 1, 2019, a determination that the proposed project is
exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
through a Class 32 Categorical Exemption.
2. APPROVE Vesting Tentative Tract Map Application No. P19-
03611 (T-6266) requesting authorization to subdivide the ±2.71
net acres of vacant property into 38 single family residential lots
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Planning Commission Meeting Minutes December 4, 2019
and one Outlot, which is proposed to be dedicated for private
street and common open space purposes.
3. APPROVE Planned Development Permit Application No. P19-
03635 requesting authorization to construct a 38-unit townhome
private street planned development in the RM-1/UGM
(Multi-Family Residential, Medium High Density/Urban Growth
Management) zone district with modified development standards.
Kelsey George, Planner, presented the project to the Commission.
Dale Mell, project applicant, spoke on behalf of the project.
Chair Torossian opened the item up for public discussion. No members from
the public spoke in support or opposition of the project.
MOTION TO APPROVE STAFF'S RECOMMENDATION.
On motion of Commissioner Vang, seconded by Commissioner Diaz,
that the above Action Item be approved. The motion carried by the
following vote:
Aye: 6 - Commissioner Hardie, Chairperson Torossian,
Commissioner Bray, Commissioner McKenzie, Commissioner
Vang, and Commissioner Diaz
Absent: 1 - Commissioner Sodhi-Layne
IX. REPORT BY SECRETARY
Secretary Clark informed the Commission of a full agenda at the next
Planning Commission meeting scheduled for December 18, 2019.
X. SCHEDULED ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
No scheduled oral communications.
XI. UNSCHEDULED ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
No unscheduled oral communications.
XII. ADJOURNMENT
ADJOURNMENT AT 7:09 P.M.
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Planning Commission Meeting Minutes December 4, 2019
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Agenda
City of Fresno
City Hall Council Chambers
2600 Fresno Street
Meeting Agenda - Final
Wednesday, December 4, 2019
6:00 PM
Regular Meeting
City Hall Council Chambers
2600 Fresno Street
Planning Commission
Chairperson Serop Torossian
Vice Chair Kathy Bray
Commissioner Raj K. Sodhi-Layne
Commissioner Debra McKenzie
Commissioner Peter Vang
Commissioner Brad Hardie
Commissioner Monica Diaz
Planning Commission Meeting Agenda - Final December 4, 2019
The Planning Commission welcomes you to the City Council Chambers, located in
City Hall, 2nd Floor, 2600 Fresno Street, Fresno, California 93721.
The City of Fresno’s goal is to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
in all respects. The meeting room is physically accessible. If, as an attendee or
participant at the meeting, you need additional accommodations such as
interpreters, signers, assistive listening devices, or the services of a translator,
please contact the Office of the City Clerk at (559) 621-7650 or clerk@fresno.gov. To
ensure availability, you are advised to make your request at least 48 hours prior to
the meeting. The agenda and related staff reports are available at www.fresno.gov,
as well as in the Office of the City Clerk.
Metered parking is in effect throughout the downtown area. The general public
wishing to attend a Planning Commission meeting at City Hall may park after 5 p.m.
in the parking lot at the northeast corner of Tulare and P Streets.
La Comisión de Planificacion le da la bienvenida a la cumara del conseso (City
Council Chambers), ubicada en la Alcaldía (City Hall), do piso, 2600 Fresno Street,
Fresno, California 93721.
El objetivo de la Ciudad de Fresno es cumplir con la Ley de Americanos con
Discapacidades (ADA) en todo aspecto. La sala para juntas es físicamente accesible.
Si usted, como asistente o participante de la junta, necesita acomodaciones
adicionales como intérpretes, lenguaje de señas, aparatos auditivos, o los servicios
de un traductor, por favor comuníquese con la Oficina del Secretario Municipal
llamando al (559) 621-7650 o al el clerk@fresno.gov. Para asegurarse de la
disponibilidad, se le recomienda llamar y hacer su petición por lo menos 48 horas
antes de la junta. La agenda y los reportes de personal correspondientes están
disponibles en www.fresno.gov, o también en la Oficina del Secretario Municipal.
El estacionamiento con parquímetros está implementado a través del centro de la
ciudad. El público en general que desea asistir a la junta de la Comisión de
Planificación se puede(n) estacionar después de las 5:00 p.m. en el estacionamiento
en la esquina noroeste de las calles Tulare y "P".
Tso Planning Commission tos txais koj rau City Council Chambers, nyob rau hauv
City Hall, 2nd Floor, 2600 Fresno Street, Fresno, California 93721.
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Planning Commission Meeting Agenda - Final December 4, 2019
Lub hom phiaj ntawm nroog Fresno yuav ua kom tau txhua yam raw li txoj cai
American with Disabilities Act (ADA) kom fwm txhua tus. Lub rooj sab laj txhua tus
yuav tsum muaj feem koom kom tau, txawm yog cov tuaj koom, cov muaj feem rau
lub rooj sab laj, yuav tsum kom muaj kev pab rau sawv daws xws li txhais lus, piav
tes, tej twj mloog pob ntseg los yog ib tug txhais lus, thov hu rau Office of the City
Clerk ntawm (559) 621-7650 los sis clerk@fresno.gov. Yuav kom paub tseeb tias
npaj tau rau koj, koj yuav tsum tau hais ua ntej 48 xuab moos ntawm lub rooj sab laj.
Daim ntawv kom tswj thiab tej ntaub ntawv cov ua dej num yuav coj los ceeb tshaj
muaj nyob rau ntawm www.fresno.gov, los sis ntawm Office of the City Clerk.
Metered nres tsheb muaj nyob thoob plaw plawv nroog Fresno. Cov uas xav tuaj
koom lub rooj sab laj Planning Commission nyob rau ntawm City Hall nres tau rau
hauv lub parking lot sab hnub tuaj pem toj ntawm txoj kev Tulare thiab P street tom
qab 5:00 PM.
I. ROLL CALL
II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
III. PROCEDURES - PROCEDIMIENTOS - KEV SAB LAJ
For each matter considered by the Commission, there will first be a staff presentation,
followed by a presentation from the project applicant. Testimony from supporters of the
project will then be taken, followed by testimony from those in opposition. The applicant will
have the right to a final rebuttal presentation prior to closing the public hearing.
In accordance with section 13 of Article 2 of the Planning Commission Rules and
Regulations governing length of public debate, all public testimony from those in support
and in opposition of the project will be limited to three minutes per person. The three lights
on the podium next to the microphone will indicate the amount of time remaining for the
speaker. The green light will be turned on when the speaker begins. The yellow light will
come on with a soft bell ring when one minute is remaining. The speaker should be
completing the testimony by the time the red light comes on with a final bell indicating time
has expired. All public testimony must be presented to the Commission at the podium. Any
testimony that references race, religion, ethnicity, economic status, national origin, or any
other classification protected under state or federal law in a derogatory manner shall be
deemed irrelevant and will not be considered by the Commission in making its land use
determinations.
If you challenge these land use matters in court, you may be limited to raising only those
issues you or someone else raised in oral or written testimony or before the close of the
hearing.
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Planning Commission Meeting Agenda - Final December 4, 2019
Por cada asunto que es considerado por la Comisión, se dará una presentación del
personal, seguida par una presentación del solicitante del proyecto. Después, se
escuchará testimonio de los que apoyen el proyecto seguido por testimonio de los que se
oponen. El solicitante tendrá el derecho a una presentación final cómo refutación antes de
concluir la audiencia pública.
De acuerdo con la sección 13 del Articulo 2 de las Reglas y Reglamentos de la Comisión
de Planificación que gobierna la largura del debate público, todo testimonio público de
aquellos que apoyen o se opongan al proyecto, será limitado a tres minutos por persona .
Las tres luces en el atril junto al micrófono indicarán el tiempo que le quede al orador. La
luz verde se prenderá cuando el orador empiece. La luz amarilla se prenderá con un suave
timbrar de campana cuando quede un minuto. El orador debería estar concluyendo su
testimomo cuando la luz roja prenda junto con La campana final indicando que se acabo el
tiempo. Todo testimonio público debe ser presentado a la Comisión desde el atril.
Cualquier declaración que mencione raza, religion, etnicidad, estado económico, origen, u
cualquier otra dasificacion protegida bajo las leyes federales o estatales, las cuales se
hagan de una manera derogatoria, serán consideradas irrelevantes y no serán
consideradas por el comité al hacer determinaciones con respecto al uso de terreno.
Si usted ha objetado a estos asuntos del uso de la tierra en la corte, tal vez se le limite a
plantar estas causas, que usted a alguien más plantó, en testimonio verbal o por escrito, o
antes de que concluya la audiencia.
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Planning Commission Meeting Agenda - Final December 4, 2019
Txhua nge laj txheej pom zoo los ntawm cov Commission, ua ntej yuav tsum muaj tus staff
los cej luam, dhau ntawd mam cej luam los ntawm tus tswv rooj ncauj lug. Ntxiv mus mam
cia cov txhawb los piav, tom qab ntawd mam tso cov tsis txau siab los hais. Tus tswv rooj
ncauj lug muaj cai los txhab txhais ntxiv ua ntej lub rooj sab laj yuav xaus.
Raws li txoj cai nqe 13 ntawm tsab 2 txoj kev tswj fwm lub sij hawm rau tsoom pej xeem txog
txoj kev sib cav txog ntawm lub Hom Phiaj txhim kho (Planning Commission). rau txhua tus
uas muaj suab los ntawm cov pom zoo thiab cov tsis txau siab rau tej kev txhim kho (project)
ib leeg tsuas muaj peb(3) nas this. Yuav muaj peb(3) lub teeb nyob ntawm lub podium
ntawm lub microphone ib sab rau tus neeg yuav los tawm suab. Lub teeb ntsuab yuav cig
thaum tus neeg pib hais lus. Lub teeb daj yuav cig thiab yuav muaj lub tswb nrov thaum
tshuav ib(1) nas this. Tus neeg tawm suab nws yuav tsum hais kom xaus thaum lub teeb liab
cig thiab lub tswb nrov ghia tias sij hawm tag lawm. Txhua tus pej xeem yuav tawm suab
yuav tsum ceeb qhia rau tus Commission ntawm lub podium. Tej Iu thu khdwv ud 5 his
tog haiv neeg, key ritseeg, horn neeg, tus muj los txom nyem, haiv neegtuaj qhov twg tuaj,
los sis lwm yam sib xws tau tiv thiv los ntwm lub xeev thib tseem fwv txoj cai los txwv tus cwj
pwrn sdiLJ ish taU5 lwm IeeJ lwm tus yuai tswm tsis pub kom tshwrn sirn thb yuv tsis tso cai
los ntwm Commision key txiav txirn nyob rau dim luaj pua.
Yog hais tias koj yuav tawm tsam tej av(land) los sis siv tej xwm txheej hais nyob rau hauv
xam(court) tsuas pub koj hais tau yam uas koj los sis lwm tus twb ua ncauj lug hais los yog
sau ua ntaub ntawv ua ntej thaum yuav luag pib lub rooj ncauj lug.
IV. AGENDA APPROVAL
A. Consent Calendar Requests
B. Continuance Requests
C. Other Agenda Changes
V. CONSENT CALENDAR
All consent Calendar items are considered by the Planning Commission to be routine and
will be enacted in one motion. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless
requested, in which events the items will be removed from the Consent Calendar and
considered prior to approval of the Consent Calendar. If any member of the public wishes
to have a specific item removed for discussion, be present when the meeting is called to
order and the Chair announces the Consent Calendar. Commission approval of Consent
Calendar items for which there is no discussion shall constitute adoption of the staff
recommendation.
A. Minutes
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Planning Commission Meeting Agenda - Final December 4, 2019
B. Communications
C. Entitlements
VI. REPORTS BY COMMISSIONERS
VII. CONTINUED MATTERS
VIII. NEW MATTERS
A. ID19-11604 Consideration of Conditional Use Permit Application No. P19-02593
request to establish a bar & nightclub with a Type 48 alcohol sales
license (On Sale General - Public Premises (Bar, Night Club) for the
sale of beer, wine and distilled spirits for consumption on the
premises where sold) for the proposed Chido Bar, located at 3315
North Cedar Avenue in the Palm Plaza Center.
(Council District 4).
1. ADOPT Environmental Assessment for P19-02593 dated
November 20, 2019, a determination that the proposed project
is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
through a Class 1 Categorical Exemption.
2. DENY the applicant’s appeal and UPHOLD the action of the
Planning and Development Department Director to deny
Conditional Use Permit Application No. P19-02593 request to
establish a bar/nightclub with a Type 48 alcohol sales license.
B. ID19-11610 Consideration of Tentative Tract Map Application No. P19-03611
(T-6266), Planned Development Permit Application No. P19-03635,
and related Environmental Assessment No. P19-03635 for the
proposed development of 38 townhome units on ±2.93 acres of vacant
land located on the south side of West Sierra Avenue between North
Santa Fe and North Blythe Avenues (APN: 507-320-01).
(Council District 2)
1. ADOPT Environmental Assessment No. P18-03635 dated
December 1, 2019, a determination that the proposed project is
exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
through a Class 32 Categorical Exemption.
2. APPROVE Tentative Tract Map Application No. P19-03611
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Planning Commission Meeting Agenda - Final December 4, 2019
requesting authorization to subdivide the ±2.93 acres of vacant
property into 38 lots.
3. APPROVE Planned Development Permit Application No. P19-
03635 requesting authorization to construct a 38-unit townhome
development in the RM-1/UGM (Multi-Family Residential, Medium High
Density/Urban Growth Management) zone district with reduced
setbacks.
IX. REPORT BY SECRETARY
X. SCHEDULED ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
XI. UNSCHEDULED ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
You may address the Planning Commission at the conclusion of the Commission meeting
regarding matters of public interest that are not listed on the agenda and that are within the
Commission's jurisdiction. Please be present at the conclusion of the meeting if you wish to
be heard. Anyone wishing to be placed on the Planning Commission Agenda should
contact the Development and Resource Management Department (telephone:
559-621-8277) at least 10 days before the desired appearance date.
XII. ADJOURNMENT
UPCOMING MATTERS (dates subject to change)
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