Fresno Planning Commission Meeting – February 24, 2026

Date discrepancy note: The meeting minutes specify Wednesday, February 18, 2026, but the user-provided date is February 24, 2026. This summary uses the supplied date of February 24, 2026, as instructed.

The Fresno Planning Commission met on February 24, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. in City Hall Council Chambers. The commission approved a consent calendar item (a one‑year extension for Vesting Tentative Tract Map No. 6345) and, after public testimony and deliberation, approved a Conditional Use Permit (CUP P24‑04502) for a six‑unit apartment complex at 108 West Lemon Avenue. Commissioner Diaz recused herself from that item. Several members of the public raised concerns about community notification and the affordability of new housing in Southwest Fresno.

Consent Calendar

• ID 26‑152 – Vesting Tentative Tract Map No. 6345 extension: Approved unanimously (5‑0, with two commissioners absent). The item granted a discretionary one‑year extension of time to the expiration date for the map, subject to original conditions of approval and the attached Development Impact Fees dated January 27, 2026.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Item VIII‑B (CUP P24‑04502): Three members of the public spoke in opposition.
  • Brunette (Heal for Southwest Fresno): Stated that the community was not adequately notified about the project and that residents of Southwest Fresno are being excluded from planning decisions.
  • Second speaker: Questioned whether the project would include units affordable at 30% or below area median income, asked about covenants, public funding, and long‑term rent protections. Raised concerns about rising homelessness among elderly residents on fixed incomes.
  • Third speaker (Majesty): Expressed regret for not reviewing the project materials in advance and indicated a desire to listen.
• Unscheduled Oral Communications (four speakers):
  • Brunette (Heal for Southwest Fresno): Stated that the commission “does not care” about the needs of elderly and low‑income residents in Southwest Fresno, and threatened federal funding cuts if community voices continue to be ignored.
  • Second unscheduled speaker: Seconded Brunette's frustration, urging commissioners to “listen” rather than just “hear,” noted that $1,500 /month rent is unaffordable for fixed‑income residents, and questioned the speed of the vote.
  • Bobby (Southwest Fresno resident): Opposed the project, stating that the community lacks meaningful input, that elderly residents cannot afford rising rents, and that federal dollars are not reinvested in West Fresno.
  • Fourth unscheduled speaker: Said commissioners would exercise more due diligence if they faced personal liability, and criticized the city’s history of litigation over land‑use decisions.

Discussion Items

• Commissioner Reports: Commissioner Shergill reported observing beautification efforts along Veterans Boulevard and expressed hope for similar improvements on Freeway 99 and the Fresno Street exit.
• Item VIII‑B – Conditional Use Permit P24‑04502 (six‑unit apartment complex at 108 West Lemon Avenue):
  • Staff presentation (Matthew Woodward): Described the 0.51‑acre parcel zoned RS‑5 (residential medium density) in the Neighborhood Revitalization Overlay District. The project includes three buildings with six three‑bedroom units, nine covered parking spaces, four visitor spaces, and required Type 1 landscape buffers with drought‑tolerant trees. No letters of opposition or support were received from the required noticing (owners and tenants within 1,000 feet).
  • Applicant presentation: The applicant, a West Fresno native with a prior affordable housing project in the area, stated the goal is to provide affordable rental housing. He noted that his previous project kept three‑bedroom rents at $900 for many years, only raising to $1,150 and later $1,350, and that the new project is privately funded with no government subsidies or covenants.
  • Commissioner questions: Commissioners asked about anticipated rent levels. The applicant estimated $1,500–$1,600 for a three‑bedroom unit with a garage, and noted that inflation has raised construction costs.
  • Staff clarification: Staff confirmed that the project is not a covenanted affordable housing development; it is a privately funded project meeting Development Code requirements.
  • Commissioner comments: Commissioner Shergill expressed support for new housing investment in West Fresno and noted that $1,500 rent is considered affordable in today’s market.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar: Approved unanimously (5‑0, Commissioners Criner and Lyday absent).
• Item VIII‑B (CUP P24‑04502): Approved on a motion by Vice Chair Bray, seconded by Commissioner Shergill. Roll‑call vote: Chair Vang – yes, Vice Chair Bray – yes, Commissioner Calandra – yes, Commissioner Shergill – yes, Commissioner Diaz – recused. (4‑0‑1). The motion carried.
• Staff report: No training occurred at this meeting; staff will resend the “Findings” workshop materials and continue offering training on Development Code topics in future meetings.
• Meeting adjourned at 6:38 p.m.