Planning Commission approves Copper River vesting tentative tract map 6312

FRESNO, Calif. — The Fresno City Planning Commission voted to adopt the environmental assessment and approve vesting tentative tract map 6312 and the associated planned development permit for a subdivision proposed by Gary McDonald Homes in the Copper River area.

The vote came after a staff presentation and a brief applicant statement during the Feb. 19 meeting. Rob Holt, supervising planner with the Planning and Development Department, described the site as a vacant parcel on the west side of Portofino Drive north of Copper Avenue, generally surrounded by the Copper River Golf Course and existing single-family development to the south and ongoing residential construction to the east. Holt said the project is planned for low-density residential development “consistent” with the property’s plan designation and recommended adoption of the environmental assessment and approval of the map and planned development permit.

The nut of the proposal is that the subdivision would develop lots that average about 2.4 dwelling units per acre — within the RS‑3 zone district range of roughly one unit per five acres up to 3.5 units per acre — while requesting plan‑development modifications to front, rear and side setbacks, garage setbacks, minimum lot size and lot width, lot coverage and maximum building height. Holt said the project includes two open-space areas, one adjacent to Lot 22 and another near the eastern entrance, and that the district project review committee recommended approval.

Gary McDonald, the applicant, told commissioners he and his firm have been active in Copper River for more than 25 years and that the neighborhood will be larger‑lot homes adjacent to the golf course. “We will be building homes there. We don't know the price range until we finalize all the costs for the subdivision development,” McDonald said.

During the commission discussion, a commissioner asked about the intended price range for homes; McDonald deferred to the applicant and said final pricing depends on subdivision development costs. No public speakers spoke in opposition or support during the public hearing portion for this item.

After discussion, a commissioner moved to adopt the environmental assessment, approve the vesting tentative tract map and approve the planned development permit; another commissioner seconded the motion and the commission approved the item.

The approvals allow the applicant to proceed with the map and the planned development permit subject to the conditions listed in the staff report and any standard requirements of the RS‑3 zone; the commission did not specify additional changes at the hearing. The project will proceed to necessary recordation and building‑permit steps required under city procedures.

Additional details: the staff report lists the specific setback, lot-size and lot‑coverage reductions requested (referenced in the staff report, page 2). The district project review committee reviewed the project on Nov. 13, 2024 and recommended approval by a 6–0 vote.

The commission moved on to other agenda items after the vote; no appeals or continuances were recorded for tract map 6312 at the meeting.