In one of the most packed chambers in months, the Fresno City Council held lengthy debates on a major land use plan and a school’s future.

Interested residents filled the bottom floor, while students from the Golden Charter Academy occupied the rarely-used balcony level.

After a debate lasting more than two hours, the city council voted 6-0 to deny the South Central Specific Plan. In an unusual situation, both the building industry and community justice advocates opposed the plan.

Related Story: Fresno Council Throws Out Plan for South Central, Says It Was Too Strict

The afternoon session after a 90-minute lunch break started 40 minutes late. Scheduled to reconvene at 1:30 p.m., only councilmembers Annalisa Perea and Miguel Arias showed up. A quorum is needed to conduct any business. Christmas music filled the chamber while waiting.

Luis Chavez returned at 2 p.m., and Garry Bredefeld and Mike Karbassi came back 10 minutes after that.

Karbassi said he had to return to his north Fresno to help a client at his Persian rug business, and traffic on Highway 41 caused the delay.

Nelson Esparza and Tyler Maxwell arrived at 2:15 p.m. Both said they too got caught in the traffic. Esparza said he also had to meet with attorneys to determine if he could continue on the South Central debate, which he eventually recused himself.

Golden Charter Wins Approval

Golden Charter Academy wants to build a new campus on Belmont Avenue, between Pacific and Delno avenues. By a 7-0 vote after two-and-a-half hours of debate, the council denied an appeal of the project, allowing it to move forward.

The appeal came at the behest of Arias, a fact noted by Robert Golden, the former NFL player turned Golden Charter founder, president and CEO.

“This is a $24.5 million investment that is going to … a community that hasn’t seen a significant investment in 50 years. So if we really want to beautify Fresno, please approve this,” Golden said.

Arias said he is concerned about student safety on busy roads. He said such roads lacked crosswalks, lights and trees. Golden told Arias that the city will upgrade crosswalks in the area. At one point, a Golden Charter engineer went into the candle rating of lights in the area.

The delay, Golden said, will cost the school $500,000. It will not be able to open by August 2025.

By the end of the debate, Arias said he was convinced the changes meet his approval.

Several other councilmembers praised the school, and some apologized for the obstacles for approval.

“It’s unfortunate you had to go through this. And I’m grateful that you’re willing to do it and to persevere. And again, sorry for the added cost,” Mayor Jerry Dyer said, praising Golden Charter.

Other Council Action

SEDA — The city council voted 6-1 to support keeping the Southeast Development Area plan alive. If it is seen to fruition, it could greatly expand the city of Fresno eastward. But, that is a huge “if.” The city council approved a $153,636 contract with FCS International, Inc. for environmental planning and consulting services for SEDA. The ambitions expansion is years, if not decades, away. The next benchmark is approving a plan by next June. Arias voted no.

Senior Center — The city council approved a $502,000 design contract with Integrated Community Development for the design of a new senior center on Blackstone Avenue by a 6-0 vote on the consent calendar, without discussion. The 35,000-square foot facility will feature recreation such as a heated pool, pickleball, and bocce ball. Groundbreaking is expected in spring 2025. Bredefeld recused himself because he received a campaign contribution.

Conditional Use Permits — The city council approved 7-0 an intermediary step when it comes to conditional use permits — city permission to operate a business in a certain way. Currently, the council’s only step is to revoke a permit. With the change, the council now has the power to modify a permit if there are violations. Conditions could include hours of operation, and safety requirements.

Sidewalk Vendors — With a 5-2 vote, the city council gave final approval on regulations for sidewalk vendors. Maxwell and Esparza voted no. They previously objected to a fine system, which starts at $25.

Postponements — The council postponed workshops on annual review of Project Labor Agreements, and Fresno County Assessor Paul Dictos’ Property Owners Protection Plan.

Related Story: Wired Wednesday: Is Fresno’s Project Labor Agreement Meeting Local Hiring ...

Airport Lease Terminated

The city council voted 7-0 on the consent calendar to terminate a lease at the airport 20 years early. An investment group leased two lots — at Andersen Avenue and Grove Industrial Drive — starting in 1977. The most recent agreement between Santa Barbara-based Air Land & Storage Investors and the city, entered in 2007, was set to expire in 2044.

But the city said the group never improved the land. And the investment group dissolved in 2023, when one of the original managers, Dexter Goodell, died. Air Land & Storage Investors asked the city to terminate early.

As part of the termination agreement, the group paid off a $20,000 balance. The original story said the group still owed that amount.

Chavez Submits Resignation Letter

Councilmember Luis Chavez is leaving the city council in the middle of his term. He won election to the Fresno County Board of Supervisors, and takes his seat Jan. 6. That means the council will have to declare a special election.

Chavez officially submitted his letter of resignation, taking effect Jan. 7, the date of the first supervisor meeting. The term actually starts the day before.

This allows the city council to set a special election date, which is likely to take place at its next meeting on Dec. 12.

Last month, City Clerk Todd Stermer told the council such an election would likely take place in May.

However, a new interpretation of election allow will shorten that time. City Attorney Andrew Janz said the language in the city charter — an election no earlier than 90 days from a declaration of a vacancy — supersedes state law, which calls for a minimum of 114 days. Janz tells Politics 101 that the state language applies to non-charter cities.

If the council declares the vacancy next week, the earliest election date is Tuesday, March 18, 2025.

Fresno Unified Trustee Elizabeth Jonasson Rosas announced her intention to run. She is married to Chavez.

Sanger Unified Trustee Brandon Vang previously told GV Wire of his interest in running. And, Supervisor Sal Quintero — who Chavez defeated for supervisor — told GV Wire’s Edward Smith he is thinking about running.