Council approves 26‑lot subdivision on Cornelia Avenue despite infrastructure concerns

The Fresno City Council unanimously upheld the Planning Commission and approved Tentative Tract Map No. 63‑97 on April 3, clearing the way for a 26‑lot, single‑family subdivision on about 4.72 acres of land along Cornelia Avenue just south of McKinley Avenue.

City planning staff told the council the project was reviewed and approved by the Planning Commission in February 2025 and subsequently appealed. Planning staff recommended the council uphold the commission’s decision and approve the tract map. After public testimony, the council debated infrastructure and traffic impacts before voting to approve the map.

Council members and residents raised concerns that approving additional homes “one development at a time” has left parts of the city west of State Route 99 with congested local streets and insufficient intersection controls. Council Vice President Miguel Arias said his office had received neighborhood complaints about lack of traffic signals, missing sidewalks and a “leap‑frog” pattern of development forcing additional strain on older roads. He said he approved the tract map with hesitation because the broader intersection upgrades were not tied to the 26‑lot subdivision.

Public works staff told the council how the project will contribute to longer‑term infrastructure funding. Jill Gormley, assistant director with Public Works, said the project was conditioned to construct frontage improvements — curb, gutter and sidewalk — along the developer’s side of the street but that staff did not find a “nexus” to require a traffic signal directly as a subdivision condition. Scott Moser of Public Works said the nearest intersection project that will add a traffic signal — McKinley and Blythe (near McKinley Elementary) — is fully funded and nearing the bid phase, with an estimated construction cost of about $2.5 million.

Moser also provided the development fees that this subdivision will contribute to citywide programs: a traffic‑signal contribution of about $19,946 and street‑improvement fees of about $129,528. Staff said the subdivision would annex into the city’s facilities maintenance district (CFD) for long‑term service and maintenance funding.

Council Vice President Arias, while supporting the approval, urged the city to prioritize investments in neighborhoods where dozens of small approvals have created cumulative impacts. “We’ve approved a series and dozens of 26‑house at a time,” Arias said. “The traffic congestion is horrendous in that area, and it’s only gotten worse.” Other council members acknowledged the broader funding and coordination constraints in areas shared between city and county jurisdiction.

A motion to approve the tract map was made by the vice president and seconded by Councilmember Annalisa Perea; there was no recorded roll‑call objection and the motion passed 6–0.

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