Fresno’s 9,000-Acre Growth Plan Returns for Vote After Months of Pushback

Mayor Jerry Dyer is bringing his plan to rezone 9,000 acres of farmland on Fresno’s southeast side back to the Planning Commission on Aug. 19 after the City Council sent it back for revisions in December.

The Southeast Development Area Specific Plan — SEDA — would make room for up to 45,000 homes. Dyer says it will bring property tax revenue and keep Fresno competitive in housing. Opponents say it will drain money from existing neighborhoods, close schools, and pave over prime farmland.

Two school boards — Fresno Unified and Central Unified — voted to oppose the plan outright, saying it would pull students and funding from their districts. Around 20 organizations, politicians, and neighborhood groups have joined the fight against it.

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The Planning Commission meets at 6 p.m. at City Hall. If commissioners vote to recommend approval, the City Council could vote as soon as Aug. 27. The commission voted 4-3 to recommend the plan last November before the council sent it back.

The revisions aren’t public yet. The city says the final draft will be posted sometime before the hearing.

In December, Dyer proposed a scaled-back version called South SEDA — 1,963 acres instead of the full 9,000, with 4,800 homes on 469 acres. He suggested requiring 70% of that section be built before expanding further, and floated the idea of a voter referendum before moving into the rest of the area.

The council voted 5-2 to send the plan back with a list of changes, including new studies on whether SEDA is financially viable and what its environmental impact would actually be.

The Breakdown

• The Planning Commission votes Aug. 19 on whether to recommend the revised SEDA plan to the City Council.
• If the commission approves, the council could vote on final approval as soon as Aug. 27.
• The plan would rezone 9,000 acres of farmland for up to 45,000 homes, though Dyer’s scaled-back “South SEDA” proposal would start with 1,963 acres and 4,800 homes.
• Dyer proposed requiring 70% of South SEDA be built before expanding into the rest of the area, and suggested a possible voter referendum before moving forward.
• Two school boards formally oppose the plan, citing funding and enrollment losses. Around 20 organizations and groups have joined the opposition.

What This Means for You

The council’s 5-2 vote in December to send the plan back for revisions shows disagreement among elected officials about the plan’s direction. If the council approves SEDA on Aug. 27, 9,000 acres of farmland would be rezoned for neighborhoods.

Dyer floated a voter referendum as a possibility, which would put the final decision on the ballot. If that doesn’t happen, the council’s vote decides.

What You Can Do

The Planning Commission hearing is Aug. 19 at 6 p.m. at City Hall. Public comment periods at commission and council meetings are open to residents. If the commission votes to recommend approval, the City Council could vote as soon as Aug. 27 — watch for that meeting’s agenda and public comment opportunity.

What to Watch

New studies on financial viability and environmental impact were ordered, but the revisions aren’t public yet. You can’t evaluate whether the new version addresses the concerns raised in December if you don’t see the studies before the vote.

The fact that Dyer only floated the possibility of a voter referendum — didn’t commit to it — is worth watching. If this goes to a council vote without hitting the ballot, five council members will make the call on 9,000 acres and 45,000 homes.