City Council - 2026-02-26
Meeting Intelligence Preview
Meeting Summary
The Fresno City Council approved two major downtown housing projects totaling 222 units: a 174-unit mixed-income development at 815-835 Fulton Street (Park At South Stadium) receiving $8M revolving loan fund and $3.7M city funds, and a 48-unit market-rate project at 1510 Van Ness Avenue (Uptown Apartments) receiving $8M revolving loan fund. The council also approved lowering school zone speed limits from 25 to 20 mph citywide, and authorized $80M in tax-exempt bond financing for the Fulton Street project. The midyear budget review revealed a projected $23.3M deficit for FY2027.
Key Decisions (6)
Development Permit Appeal - West North Avenue Truck Repair Facility
Council denied appeal and approved development permit P23-3606 for a 4,900 sq ft truck repair facility with commercial truck parking on 2.23 acres on South Side of West North Avenue between South Clara and South Elm Avenues. Applicant: Mandeep Kashal via Central Valley Engineering. Modified to allow 12 trucks (up from 9) and 12 passenger vehicles (up from 6).
TEFRA Hearing - $80M Tax-Exempt Financing for 815-835 Fulton Street Housing
Approved issuance of $80M in tax-exempt bonds by California Public Financing Authority for acquisition, development, and construction of 174-unit mixed-income housing facility at 815, 829, and 835 South Fulton Street. Developer: Park Partners LLC. 70 units affordable with 55-year covenant.
Disposition and Development Agreement - Park At South Stadium Project
Approved amended and restated DDA between City of Fresno, City as housing successor, and Park Partners LLC for 174-unit multifamily housing at 815 Fulton Street. $82M total investment with $8M revolving loan fund (5-year term at 4.81% variable rate) and $3,727,000 city housing funds. 70 units affordable (50-80% AMI) with 55-year covenant, 104 market rate units. Eight-story building overlooking stadium.
Uptown Apartments Revolving Loan Fund - 1510 Van Ness Avenue
Approved $8M revolving loan fund for Uptown LP for 48-unit market-rate rental housing development at 1510 Van Ness Avenue in Downtown Fresno.
20 MPH School Zone Speed Limit Resolution
Approved resolution to establish 20 mph prima facie speed limit in school zones citywide, implementing AB 382 ahead of the January 1, 2031 state mandate. Affects 149 schools throughout the city.
FY2026 Midyear Budget Amendment
Approved midyear budget resolution and AAR for $1,557,000 to fund fire department attrition and overtime, plus $403,800 for second drill school. Net ending balance estimated at $7,987,900.
Zoning Changes (1)
South Side of West North Avenue between South Clara and South Elm Avenues
Mandeep Kashal via Central Valley Engineering
Development Activity (5)
Park At South Stadium
174 units, 8 stories, mixed-income: 70 affordable units (50-80% AMI) with 55-year covenant, 104 market rate units. $82M total investment. Overlooks stadium in center/left field area.
Uptown Apartments
48 units, market rate rental housing development
Truck Repair Facility
4,900 sq ft truck repair facility with 3 service bays, 12 commercial truck parking spaces, 12 passenger vehicle spaces on 2.23 acres. Existing residence converted to office.
Vinland Pickleball and Futsal Courts
New pickleball and futsal courts at park facility
Airport Concourse B Expansion
Two gates opened December 2025, pursuing additional two gates pending federal funding. Runway reconstruction planned. Mad Duck Brewery, Ike's Love and Sandwiches opened; Los Amigos opening in coming months.
Market Signals (6)
Housing Demand
City pursuing aggressive downtown housing development with $250M state infrastructure investment, multiple projects totaling 222+ units approved in single meeting, indicating strong push to activate vacant downtown parcels.
Commercial Demand
Fresno Yosemite International Airport served 2.7M passengers in 2025, described as one of fastest growing airports in America, driving new restaurant and terminal expansion investments.
Infrastructure
City received state funding for downtown infrastructure including parking garages, water mains, and sewer lines to reduce developer costs and enable by-right development.
Sentiment
Sales tax revenue turning corner with strong first two quarters, property tax continues strong, but expenditures outpacing revenue growth creating projected $23.3M FY2027 deficit.
Commercial Demand
Card room revenue expected to drop 50% (approximately $500K annually) due to state regulation eliminating blackjack tables at local card rooms.
Housing Demand
Fire department experiencing mass retirements from 2002-era hiring wave, currently at 50 vacancies, indicating aging workforce patterns that may affect other city departments.