Planning commission approves annexation, 44-unit gated rental subdivision on South Peach Avenue

The Fresno City Planning Commission on an uncontested vote approved an annexation application, pre-zone, vesting tentative tract map and related plan development permit that would annex about 3.97 acres on the west side of South Peach Avenue and create a 44-lot, gated build-to-rent community.

Staff planner Juan Lauer with the Planning and Development Department presented the staff report and recommended adoption of the environmental document and approval of the applications, describing the proposal as an annexation and pre-zone request consistent with the Fresno General Plan and noting the proposed density and development standards modifications. "These applications were submitted by Precision Engineering," Lauer said during the presentation.

The project applicant, Luke Reisner of Precision Civil Engineering, told the commission the subdivision would be a gated community of 44 units and that all homes would be built to rent. "It's a 44 lot bridal gated subdivision," Reisner said. Developer Cameron Graham added the units are intended as rentals and that management will provide turnkey landscaping and parking. On the record the applicant said the project will be market-rate; "As of right now, we're doing market rent. There is no low income housing component to this project," Reisner said.

The plans submitted to the city call for 44 lots on about 3.97 acres, a proposed density of about 11.08 dwelling units per acre and roughly 4,709 square feet of open space along the northeastern boundary of the subdivision. The plan-development permit requests modifications to RS-5 zone development standards for reduced setbacks, smaller lot sizes and increased lot coverage; staff directed the commission to the staff report for full details of the requested modifications.

Neighborhood outreach materials were included in the exhibits, and the applicant said outreach letters were sent to neighboring county residents when the land was acquired in 2021; some recipients declined annexation. A nearby resident, Gumarsundo Sanchez of 358 South Peach Avenue, asked whether the project would be low-income housing and what barrier would separate the development from existing homes; Sanchez asked, "What's gonna separate us?" The applicant and staff confirmed perimeter screening will be provided and that the conditions of approval require a block wall along the major-street frontage, and the applicant agreed to place block walls on the north, west and south property lines as well.

Vice Chair Bray recused from the item for business reasons prior to the public hearing; the commission continued the hearing in Bray's absence. After public comment closed the commission voted to approve the annexation, pre-zone, vesting tentative tract map number 6432 and related permits and environmental findings as recommended by staff.

The commission asked staff and the applicant to exchange contact information with nearby residents to address follow-up questions. The applicant and developer indicated they have not budgeted regular security patrols but said the gated design and block wall are intended to provide site security and to make the community feel like homes rather than a typical rental property.

Action on this item does not itself change utility or district service boundaries beyond the annexation and the stated detachment requests; the staff report notes the annexation request includes detachment from the Fresno County Fire Protection District and the Kings River Conservation District and that Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) and county staff recommended annexing the entire boundary consistent with the city-county memorandum of understanding on tax sharing.

Planning commissioners did not stipulate affordability requirements as a condition of approval. The applicant stated typical target rents in staff and applicant remarks of about $2,250 for roughly 1,350-square-foot, three-bedroom, two-bath units with two-car garages; the record shows the applicant described appliances and landscaping as likely included in rents but did not commit to a specific appliance package.

The commission approved the item by voice vote with the applicant and staff present; Vice Chair Bray did not participate due to the recusal.

Votes at a glance

• Annexation and pre-zone application P2302268; vesting tentative tract map 6432; plan development permit; adoption of related environmental finding — approved (voice vote).