Planning Commission OKs recommendation for 119‑home De Young Blossom View annexation

The Fresno City Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommend that the City Council adopt the environmental assessment and approve annexation, a pre‑zone, vesting tract map and planned development permit for a proposed subdivision called De Young Blossom View.

The proposal would annex about 23.56 acres on the north side of McKinley Avenue between North Temperance Avenue and North DeWolf Avenue and create 119 single‑family lots. Rob Holt, supervising planner for the Planning and Development Department, told commissioners the project as proposed would result in about 5.05 dwelling units per acre and would be zoned RS‑4 for the developed parcel while two other parcels in the annexation would be zoned OS (open space).

Holt said the applicant is proposing a mix of public and private sections, including 28 lots in a gated private section that would use reduced minimum lot sizes, widths, depths and setbacks as allowed by the planned development permit. Holt said the map includes a planned Class I pedestrian/bicycle trail along the northern and eastern subdivision boundary that will connect to existing trails and to the canal. He also said the plan shows more than the required open space: “open space is provided, and exceeds the requirement — over 11,000 square feet proposed, where over 9,000 square feet required,” Holt said.

Applicant Brandon DeYoung of DeYoung Properties described the project as an attempt to provide varied home sizes and price points, saying the development will include four product series ranging from smaller, more affordable homes in the private section to larger homes in the public section. DeYoung said the public park and trail will be publicly accessible and intended for use by residents of the new subdivision and nearby neighborhoods.

Holt and DeYoung responded to concerns summarized in an opposition letter staff received the day before the hearing. Staff said the site is shown on state mapping as “farmland of local importance,” not one of CEQA’s three higher farmland categories (prime, unique or statewide importance), and that the parcel is currently vacant. On concerns that the subdivision could limit agricultural operations across McKinley Avenue, staff noted a condition requiring a right‑to‑farm covenant to inform future buyers of nearby farm operations. Staff also noted the flood control district reviewed the project and that the applicant proposes two temporary ponding basins to address basin flooding issues near the Red Bank Basin.

Commissioners asked staff about the trail alignment adjacent to the canal and about landscaping and a fence for safety. Holt described a planted buffer, a paved trail, and a 4‑foot rod‑iron fence between the canal and the trail.

During public comment the commission heard no speakers in support and no speakers in opposition at the podium. Commissioner Joseph Calandra moved that the commission recommend the City Council adopt the mitigated negative declaration (environmental assessment) and approve the annexation application, pre‑zone application, vesting tract map and planned development permit (application referenced at hearing as 2500027). Commissioner Shergill seconded the motion. The chair called the vote and the motion carried by voice vote; all present commissioners voted in favor.

The planning commission’s recommendation moves the project to the City Council for final action. If the council approves the annexation and associated permits, the applicant would proceed with subdivision improvements consistent with the approved tract map and conditions of approval.

Clarifying details from the hearing: the subdivision parcel targeted for development is about 23.56 acres and would be developed with 119 lots (about 5.05 du/ac), RS‑4 zoning for the developed portion, two other annexed parcels to be zoned OS, a proposed Class I trail along the north/east edges adjacent to the canal with landscaping and a 4‑foot rod‑iron safety fence, two temporary ponding basins shown on the engineering exhibits, and a voluntary neighborhood meeting held July 23 at Bourse Elementary School attended by two neighbors. Staff recorded three issues raised in the opposition letter: farmland conversion, potential impacts on adjacent orchards (noise/odor/pesticide drift), and basin flooding tied to Red Bank Basin operations; staff indicated those issues were considered and conditioned where applicable.

The commission’s action was a recommendation; the City Council will take the final decision on annexation, rezoning and map approvals.