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Council approves annexation, pre-zone and 202‑lot tentative map for South Armstrong subdivision
Summary
The Fresno City Council approved annexation, pre‑zone and a vesting tentative tract map to allow a 202‑lot single‑family subdivision on roughly 39.9 acres west of South Armstrong Avenue; council and staff discussed required frontage road improvements, a half‑acre neighborhood park and timing of a nearby school traffic signal.
Fresno City Council on Thursday approved annexation, pre‑zone and a vesting tentative tract map that will allow a 202‑lot single‑family subdivision on about 39.9 acres on the west side of South Armstrong Avenue between East Church and the Southern Pacific Railroad.
City planning staff said the site, now in unincorporated Fresno County, will be pre‑zoned from the county’s designation to the city’s RS‑5 zone to allow lots ranging from about 4,500 to 5,000 square feet. Israel Trejo, planning and development department, told the council the project includes an approximately half‑acre neighborhood park and two future street connections to adjacent parcels.
The council heard questions from members about traffic and school‑related improvements. Scott Moser of Public Works said the developer must pay standard traffic impact mitigation fees and build Armstrong Avenue to the city’s ultimate curb‑to‑curb frontage in front of the parcel, then transition to the county roadway beyond the property. Jill Gormley, assistant director of Public Works, said the project’s traffic study did not create a nexus requiring a traffic signal at Armstrong and Church or Armstrong and California but that the Sanger Unified School District has a condition on its nearby project to install a signal once enrollment or other thresholds are met.
“This development did not trigger the need for a traffic signal at those locations,” Gormley said. Public Works staff said the school district is the entity with the condition to install the signal and that the district would pay for installation and could seek reimbursement under the city’s developer reimbursement program.
Council members asked whether a lack of existing funds on the reimbursement list could delay signal construction; Public Works said the fund is first‑in, first‑out and that several projects are already queued for reimbursement. Council asked staff to continue discussions with the school district about timing and funding.
Council members also confirmed there is a pedestrian connection requirement: the project will build sidewalks and a paved walking path from the project frontage along Church Avenue to the existing sidewalk at the school to support safe routes to school before longer‑term roadway changes occur.
A motion to approve the annexation, pre‑zone, vesting tentative tract map and related environmental finding carried after public comment and staff responses. The council recorded the motion, second and a unanimous voice affirmation at roll call; the clerk later noted a recusal by one member for related items on the agenda.
The developer is listed as Bonadelli Neighborhoods. City staff said the subdivision will generate school fees and other impact fees that flow to responsible agencies.
The vote completes the city review for this phase; the project will still be subject to final map, improvement plans and permitting before building permits can be issued.
