The City of Fresno has reached out to MindHub, Creative Fresno, and FLYP (Fresno's Leading Young Professionals) to ask for input on the implementation of 14 Planning Dept. project from the Fresno 2025 General Plan.

This is huge.

What does it mean? It means that the City is listening. They are looking for input on the 14 items listed below. They care about creative professionals and knowledge workers. They want to know what we think. This is our chance to impact the future of our city.

What do you need to do?

(1) Read the list of items below that the Planning Dept is focusing on.

(2) Let me know (either on list or off) which are the most important items to you? Which do you want to learn about and have input on?

(This will determine which items will be explored at the outreach event, or if we need more than one event.)

(3) Attend the outreach event:

    General Plan 2025 Outreach: Creating a Better Fresno Together

    Wednesday, May 30th

    5:30 Networking

    6pm-8pm Plan Overview & Community Feedback

    Full Circle Brewery

    The community that plans together stands together.

* * * * * * * *

Executive Summary for Status Report on

Implementation of the 2025 General Plan

Summary Highlights:

(1) Development Applications and Departmental Operations:

The Planning division processed over 1,000 land use and zoning entitlement applications in 2006 that will allow for thousands of new residential units,
and numerous job producing and tax base enhancing office, commercial and industrial uses. Building and Safety, Housing, and Code Enforcement
Divisions made significant contributions to General Plan implementation in terms of measurable increases in streamlined permitting operations, technology enhancements, building and safety, quality and speed of customer service, new and rehabilitated affordable housing units and projects, and neighborhood safety and beautification.

(2) Smart Growth and the Southeast Growth Area Specific Plan:

Planning convened more than 600 constituents in November-December 2006 in initial listening sessions as part of the launch of the Southeast Growth Area Specific Plan process to formally begin in April 2007. Smart Growth concepts will be emphasized by utilizing a planning and design consultant  with world class Smart Growth credentials. Plan adoption and EIR approval are projected for fall of 2008.

(3) Form-Based Zoning Ordinance:

Planning will be retaining an acknowledged national expert for formulation of a new Form-Based zoning code in 2007 that will help implement Smart Growth for Fresno.

(4) Urban Unification:

Planning is implementing a Proactive Annexation and Zoning Program to achieve the urban unification goals of the General Plan and increase fiscal

sustainability.


(5) Housing Element and Affordable Housing:

Housing division is facilitating final action steps for implementation of the Mayor?s 10X10 Affordable Housing Plan, with significant participation by Code Enforcement in the formulation of a Proactive Housing Quality Program.

A Housing Element update will be completed by early 2008.

(6) New Industrial Park Strategy:

Planning is working closely with the City of Fresno's Economic Development Department, EDC, RJI and other agency and business partners to formulate a Metro Area Industrial Park Development and Marketing Strategy.

(7) 2025 General Plan Master EIR:

Re-certifying the Master EIR for the 2025 General Plan is scheduled to be completed in 2007.

(8) Adaptive Reuse and Downtown Development:

Planning is working with the City Manager?s Office to coordinate the review and adoption of an Adaptive Reuse Ordinance for downtown, and to establish a Downtown Development Application Fast-Tracking Team for downtown.

(9) Historic Surveys:

Planning is facilitating a Downtown Historic Survey with the Redevelopment Agency to accelerate adaptive reuse on older buildings.

(10) Pinedale Neighborhood Plan:

City Council adopted the Pinedale Neighborhood Plan on February 6, 2007-reflecting a strong engagement and partnership with community leaders and resident for neighborhood planning and revitalization.

(11) Activity Centers Study:

The Metro Area Activity Center Study called for in the General Plan approved by City Council in the fall of 2006 is underway with a consultant.

(12) High Rise-Mid Rise Corridor Study:

Planning is participating with the Fresno COG, Caltrans, the County of Fresno and Madera County in the FWY 41 High Rise-Mid Rise Corridor Study.

(13) Regional Cooperation, Transportation, and Land Use Planning:

Planning is actively participating in the Regional Blueprint with the County of Fresno and Madera County, and facilitating the Metro Rural Loop Multi-Modal Corridor Preservation Feasibility Study with all 17 incorporated cities and Counties of Fresno and Madera.

(14) Green Strategy and Implementation Plan:

Planning is extending work on Green initiatives and launching the studies and coordination among City Council, Mayors Office, City departments and
partnering jurisdictions, community associations, and private enterprise needed to formulate a comprehensive Green Strategy and Implementation Plan that will ultimately lead to a Green Element of the General Plan proposed for adoption by the City Council.

FLYPSTERS, I've enabled the discussion after this news... Let's get the forum going here!