FRESNO, Calif. (FOX26) — A $1.1 billion plan to build thousands of homes, shops and parks near Friant has cleared a major hurdle after years of legal battles.
A regional map shows the proposed Friant Ranch development north of Fresno near Friant and Millerton Lake (PHOTO: Courtesy Fresno County.)
The Fresno County Planning Commission recommended approval of the Friant Ranch project on Thursday.
The roughly $1.1 billion development touts 900 acres along Friant Road near the San Joaquin River and Millerton Lake.
Plans call for roughly 2,500 homes, along with commercial space, parks, trails and other amenities. Most of the housing would be geared toward people 55 years and older.
The project also includes plans for a new wastewater treatment plant intended to serve Friant Ranch and the surrounding area.
The development has faced years of legal and environmental challenges.
Fresno County first approved Friant Ranch back in 2011. Environmental groups challenged the county’s environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act, eventually taking the case to the California Supreme Court.
Friant Ranch Supreme Court DocumentsPDF previewPreview PDF
In 2018, the state Supreme Court found the county’s environmental review did not adequately explain how increases in certain air pollutants could affect human health.
The ruling ultimately sent the county back to redo portions of its environmental analysis, and the project’s previous approvals were later set aside.
Years later, Friant Ranch is again moving through the county approval process.
On Thursday, planning commissioners recommended certification of the revised environmental impact report. The recommendation does not however give developers final approval to start building.
The Fresno County Board of Supervisors is expected to consider Friant Ranch on Oct. 20, when supervisors are tentatively scheduled to take a final vote on the project.