Fresno City Council selects business park alternative for SEDA, directs further analysis

Fresno, Calif. — At a public hearing held Thursday afternoon until midnight, the Fresno City Council took the next move in regard to the Southeast Development Area (SEDA) Specific Plan.

Simply put, the long-debated land use proposal is being sent back for further study, with staff directed to complete additional analyses before any final vote is considered.

The December 18 hearing focused on the City Council’s review of the Final EIR, alternative plans, and public testimony regarding the plan’s projected economic, environmental, and community impacts.

The SEDA plan covers nearly 9,000 acres in southeast Fresno and has been the subject of extensive public debate.

After hearing from the public, the Council voted to select the Consolidated Business Park Alternative from the EIR as its preferred framework for further study.

The alternative map identified as Exhibit L in the City Council agenda materials.

Councilmembers also directed staff to return the SEDA Plan, EIR, and associated documents to the Planning and Development Department with updated analyses before returning for future Council consideration.

“The City Council identified South SEDA as the preferred first phase if certain fiscal targets are met. Additionally, City Council gave direction and feedback on the kinds of studies and analysis which would be helpful to them in making a final determination on the SEDA Plan and environmental impact report,” said a spokesperson for the city.

What’s next?

“Next steps will be to conduct a fiscal impact analysis, an infrastructure financing report, and a nexus study for a combination of scenarios for City Council consideration. The modifications will need to be assessed to determine if they are within the scope of the EIR. Lastly the thresholds for phasing and safeguards will need to be adopted before the City Council can take action on the Plan and EIR. It is anticipated that this work will take several months,’ said the spokesperson.

The Council’s action does not represent final approval, but rather a step toward informed decision-making, directing staff to further refine the plan and address outstanding questions.

Once the requested analyses are complete, the SEDA Plan and related environmental documentation are expected to return to the Council for further hearings and potential final adoption.

Mayor Jerry Dyer said on Thursday, it is a process that could take 6 months.