Fresno Planning Commission

@fresnoland Here’s what will be discussed at tonight’s meeting. You can click this link for access to the full agenda here: https://fresno.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=A&ID=1056993&GUID=3B493735-E06C-4047-8CF6-A983823A6CB0. https://t.co/8PZ17ABJw8

The meeting is called to order at 6:01 p.m. with 6 members present. Minutes and agenda were approved. No changes to the agenda. Chair Vang welcomes the new commissioner.

In Discussion: VIII-A: ID 23-386 - Consideration of an appeal filed regarding Conditional Use Permit No. P22-02534 and related Environmental Assessment, for Starbucks located on the southeast side of Tulare Street between “R” Street and “S” Street. https://t.co/4jbP6z3lA5

Issues stated regarding the project: https://t.co/WmjBcmRtwT

Public Comment: Ivan, a representative from a neighboring business, shares that the parking lot is filled with homelessness. Ivan says, the Starbucks location will eliminate conflicts in the parking lot.

Public Comment: Monique Erratchu - a Starbucks representative, states that the parking lot’s purpose is to be used for no longer than 60 seconds.

Public Comment: Va Her - a Fresno resident, shares he has no relations or history to the applicant. Her says there are no reasons to deny the applicant, as it improves the economy in the Tulare area.

Public Comment: Beau English, a Fresno resident, recommends that the applicant makes the charging stations “rapid” as there will be lots of loitering in the area.

Presented by the applicant. The representative shares that charging stations in the parking lot were requested by individuals who had appealed. https://t.co/x2LroG2lLw

Motion passes in a vote of 6-0 to approve the appeal and related environmental assessment of ID 23-386. https://t.co/pVeK6MCbpF

In Discussion: VIII-B (ID-23-167): Planning Development of a Car Wash business on approximately ±0.69 acres of property located on the northwest corner of East McKinley and North Fine Avenues. https://t.co/d1Jw3KTpDx

The development of the site will provide 16 vacuum/parking stalls. The stalls will be attached to vacuum stations and can also be utilized for employee parking. When completed, the adjacent development and the proposed project will maintain 49 stalls, which exceeds required… https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1636187789309153281 https://t.co/6jlUCKyWo1

Chair Vang questions the business’s hours of operation. The presenter shares that the car wash facility will be operating from 7am to 9pm, which will require up to 15-20 employees in varying shifts. https://t.co/WPx2TcyHFW

“We respect the facility use, we want to be great neighbors,” says Orlando Ramirez, the applicant representative. “We spent two hours with the team trying to address the concerns in order to be a good neighbor.” Ramirez states that meetings were immediately scheduled with people… https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1636192416821841922 https://t.co/sCE0U6itiP

Public Comment: Jerry, the owner of the Airport Village, shares that the Car Wash facility diminishes the purpose of commercial usage in the area. Jerry shares that he was not notified by the operating developer or the city of the project. Jerry shares that the project is taking… https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1636193618250829825 https://t.co/KRRZYQzYQc

Public Comment: Lee shares that she runs an adult daycare nearby. Lee presents a parent, Mai Yer, who has a child in the program that Lee runs. Mai Yer shares that her child experiences seizures, making the air quality produced from the planned development unsafe for her child… https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1636194860825968640 https://t.co/4U7pKcNaO8

Public Comment: Mee, another parent, shares that she is opposed to the development. Mee shares that the safety of her child and many others are in question. https://t.co/Kn3STjMO13

Public Comment: Tou, the office manager of the adult care center, shares that his job is to make sure the environment is safe for his clients. Tou shares that the car wash extends to the front of their care facility, which will cause stress to his clients and put their lives at… https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1636198201761087488 https://t.co/taGpNr19y3

Public Comment: Many representatives from the Rivendell Community came to show their disapproval of the development. They expressed that the care center should be maintained in a safe, clean, and quiet environment for the safety of their clients. https://t.co/NF6VU6NQBB

Public Comment: Leon Tirapelle, a nearby business owner, shares his opposition of the development. Tirapelle shares that that the driveway of the car wash is two drives south of his office, and it would worsen the flooding occasions.

Applicant Ramirez shares that there are security & safety issues within any businesses. In response to the Rivendell center, the applicant shares that Rivendell has its doors wide open during the time of their visitation. Ramirez recommends the center to improve its security. In… https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1636207611325579265 https://t.co/WFwBPIj8dw

“The city is nothing without our people and that comes first foremost above everything else,” says Commissioner Wagner. Wagner shares that there has not been enough communication between the two parties. Commissioner Bray also shares that not enough cooperation has been put into… https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1636209679381692416 https://t.co/e8fhX5bC07

A motion to move forward the issue to May 3rd, was made by Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Bray. Motion was approved in a vote of 5-0.