The Fresno City Council late Thursday night rejected a proposed apartment complex in northwest Fresno after scores of neighbors spoke against it.

Among the opponents: Fresno County Sheriff John Zanoni, who lives near the proposed four-story, 82-unit project.

Zanoni said that because of the project’s proposed height, it would enable registered sex offenders to peer down on children at an elementary school and a park.

His remarks drew a rebuttal from councilmember Miguel Arias, who said that Zanoni had presented a “false narrative” aimed at stigmatizing people who live in apartments.

Arias also said that a Megan’s Law registry check of Zanoni’s neighborhood and the councilmember’s neighborhood indicated that sex offenders are more likely to reside in single-family homes than in apartments.

Council President Perea Warns Zanoni

When Zanoni, who was seated in the audience during Arias’ remarks, spoke out, Council President Annalisa Perea warned the sheriff that he’d be removed if he made another outburst.

Jessica’s Law once prohibited sex offender parolees released from prison on or after Nov. 8, 2006, from residing within 2,000 feet of any school and park where children congregate. However, the California Supreme Court found the law unconstitutional because of its blanket prohibition.

Today’s law empowers the courts to restrict sex offenders from living near parks or schools on a case-by-case basis.