DATE: March 3, 2026
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Steven E. White, Director
Department of Public Works and Planning
SUBJECT: Appeal of Planning Commission's denial of Variance Application No. 4181 and Initial Study No. 8658 (Applicant/Appellant: JD Investments)
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
1. Consider appeal of the Planning Commission's denial of Variance Application No. 4181 proposing to allow the creation of two 2.55-acre parcels where 20-acres is required, from an existing 5.09-acre parcel located in the AL-20 (Limited Agricultural, 20-acre minimum) Zone District. If approved, a mapping procedure will follow; and
2. If your Board chooses to grant the Appeal and overturn the Planning Commission's denial of Variance Application No. 4181, it would be appropriate to:
a. Adopt the Negative Declaration prepared for the project based on Initial Study No. 8658; and
b. Make the required Findings specified in Section 860.5.060.D for approval of a variance stating the basis for making the four required variance findings; and
c. Approve Variance Application No. 4181, with Conditions of Approval, and the additional Conditions of Approval as recommended by Department Staff.
The subject parcel is located on the west side of Willow Bluff, approximately 0.65-miles from the City of Fresno (APN: 579-050-16) (12739 Willow Bluff) (Sup. Dist. 5).
REPORT
This item comes before your Board on appeal of the Planning Commission's denial (6 to 2, with one Commissioner absent) at its August 14, 2025 hearing. Department Staff notes that the Zoning Ordinance requires your Board to determine, independent from the decision of the Planning Commission, whether the application should be approved, approved with stated conditions, or denied. A copy of the Planning Commission's action is included as Attachment A. This item pertains to a location in District 5.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
If your Board is able to make the required Findings for granting approval of Variance Applicati...
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