Tower District Specific Plan Update

Tower District Specific Plan Update

The proposed project would update the 1991 Tower District Specific Plan (1991 Specific Plan) to respond to both continuing and new issues in the Tower District. Recent decades have led to greater emphasis on housing availability and affordability, expanding recreational opportunities, and calming auto-oriented roadways. At the same time, the Specific Plan Update maintains the guiding principles from the 1991 Specific Plan and continues the focus on neighborhood character, walkability, and historic resources. The intent of the proposed project is to provide strategic and comprehensive guidance for making decisions regarding the Tower District’s built environment and landscape character, land use and activities, public open space, community facilities, transportation, and other forms of infrastructure within the Specific Plan Area. The Specific Plan Update establishes a shared set of goals, objectives, policies, and implementing actions for both neighborhood conservation and the future growth and change of the Specific Plan Area. The Specific Plan Update also aids in implementing the broader goals and policies for the City of Fresno outlined in the General Plan in a manner that can better meet the needs of the District. This update is intended to streamline development within the Specific Plan Area by updating the Specific Plan’s environmental analysis pursuant to CEQA requirements, and by providing a current regulatory framework and applicable mitigation measures. The proposed project would also implement land use changes that would maintain and enhance the character-defining elements associated with the Tower District while allowing for future growth. The Specific Plan Update would promote more mixed-use development along commercial corridors by re-designating a portion of Blackstone Avenue from neighborhood mixed use to corridor/center mixed-use and by re-designating a portion of Shields Avenue from office to neighborhood mixed-use areas, specifically on Blackstone Avenue and Shields Avenue. The Specific Plan Update would also expand the Apartment House (AH) Overlay zoning designation along Olive Avenue, from North Fruit Avenue to North Echo Avenue, and allow medium low density residential uses at Terrace Gardens, Porter Tract, and Wilson Island.

Fresno

Fresno

Citywide

California Air Resources Board (ARB), California Department of Conservation (DOC), California Department of Education, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Central Region 4 (CDFW), California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE), California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD), California Department of Parks and Recreation, California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC), California Department of Transportation, District 6 (DOT), California Department of Transportation, Division of Aeronautics (DOT), California Department of Transportation, Division of Transportation Planning (DOT), California Department of Water Resources (DWR), California Energy Commission, California Fish and Game Commission (CDFGC), California Governor's Office of Emergency Services (OES), California Highway Patrol (CHP), California Native American Heritage Commission (NAHC), California Natural Resources Agency, California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), California Regional Water Quality Control Board, Central Valley Fresno Region 5 (RWQCB), California San Joaquin River Conservancy (SJRC), California State Lands Commission (SLC), Central Valley Flood Protection Board, Delta Protection Commission, Delta Stewardship Council, State Water Resources Control Board, Division of Drinking Water, State Water Resources Control Board, Division of Drinking Water, District 23, State Water Resources Control Board, Division of Water Rights

Other (Specific Plan Update)

General Plan Element, Specific Plan, Rezone, Other: Tower District Design Standards and Guidelines

Air Quality, Biological Resources, Cultural Resources, Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Noise, Recreation