Planning commission upholds approval of 396-unit Herndon-area project, requires extra noise mitigation for buildings facing Herndon Avenue

The Fresno City Planning Commission on the evening of the meeting denied an appeal of a development permit for a mixed residential and commercial project (application P2303993) and upheld the planning director—s approval, while adding a requirement that the applicant provide additional exterior noise attenuation for the two residential buildings that face Herndon Avenue.

The vote sustains approval of a project that proposes 396 multiunit dwellings on about 16.5 acres with associated commercial pads and access improvements. Planning staff recommended denying the appeal after reviewing zoning, required mitigation and public outreach; the commission—s motion was made by Commissioner Calandra and seconded by Commissioner Diaz.

Staff supervising planner Rob Holt said the proposal includes 33 three‑story residential buildings totaling 396 units on roughly 16.53 acres and commercial buildings on the office‑zoned portion of the site. The residential portion is proposed at about 24 dwelling units per acre under the RM‑2 zone (the site could allow up to 30 units per acre). Holt told the commission the project provides the required 2.64 acres of open space and proposes 2.68 acres, and that parking calculations yield 636 total spaces (396 covered resident spaces and 240 uncovered guest spaces).

Holt described site constraints that led the applicant to request planned development modifications: a 110‑foot PG&E easement and a flood control easement that remove buildable area and force building placement…