After a two-hour evening hearing, the Fresno City Council took no action on a controversial proposal Thursday that would make it easier to convert office buildings into housing.

Following the advice of City Attorney Andrew Janz, Thursday’s discussion was for introduction. A vote would come at the June 12 meeting.

Sponsored by Mayor Jerry Dyer’s planning department, the text amendments to the city code would support his “One Fresno Housing” strategy. It would simplify the rezone process, supporters said, to build more and more quickly.

Earlier in the day, Dyer told the council the state stripped Fresno of its “Pro-Housing Designation” — a state recognition that makes it easier for affordable housing builders to receive state grants.

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Approval of the change to city code, city staff said, could add at least 2,600 housing units.

Changing the approval process essentially means that if the project met certain standards, the rezone would receive automatic approval. Other projects must win votes with a review authority, such as the planning commission.

Any project can still be appealed to the planning commission. Decisions from the planning commission could be appealed to the council.

A Major Change Regarding Building Near Schools

The change has not been popular with residents. Several submitted comments or spoke publicly against.

Arguments made on Thursday included “the will of the people” being ignored, traffic, and effect on home values.

When the planning commission heard and voted down the change in March, a chief complaint was about converting office buildings to housing near schools.

The city recommended a change, to prohibit new residential development “on vacant or underutilized parcels located in the Office Zone District within 500 feet of a school.”

Councilmember Annalisa Perea, an advocate of the proposal, agreed with the school buffer zone. She said the overall policy will help Fresno with its “housing shortage crisis.”

Supporters include developers, businesses, and social justice groups.

Ben Granholm, executive director of Invest Fresno, called the amendment “a practical and common sense solution.”

Who Has the Power?

However, “easier” would also provide less oversight, said City Council President Mike Karbassi. Karbassi said this would give the power for an unelected official to make rezone decisions.

“It’s important to me that people hold us accountable. I’m very worried about that with this policy,” Karbassi said.

Karbassi said the change will make it harder for the public to know about proposals in their neighborhoods.

“That is a really hard pill for me to swallow,” Karbassi said.

Perea disagreed.

“This policy does not take away power,” Perea said. “There are safeguards in this policy, whether you think they’re strong enough or not … that increases a councilmember’s ability to have influence over their district.”

Miguel Arias said it is important for developers to meet with the neighborhood. He said he voted against a project in northeast Fresno in 2023 because the builder did not engage. He expressed concerns about the plan.

Arias Criticizes Community Health System

Arias had choice words for Community Health System during his councilmember comments, after the medical provider made a $31 million settlement with federal authorities over kickback allegations. He said it was more evidence that the company was not investing in its downtown Fresno facility.

“The folks that we’ve given tens of millions of dollars to, the folks that we eminent domain people’s homes for, the folks we gave them public property for, have spent money meant for patient care on strippers, lounges, and trips to Europe,” Arias said from the dais.

Arias said to expect another PR campaign from Community Medical.

“I do hope that this board of directors at Community recognizes that they have lost their way and they need to focus on patient care,” Arias said.

Community Health System had no immediate reaction for publication.

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Other Council Notes

Arias delayed a first step toward Dyer’s “Pave More Now, Pay Later” program. The resolution was to declare using future bond money to pay for paving now, complying with federal regulations.

“This is ultimately a $100 million decision that I believe requires a full conversation prior to us commencing the approval process,” Arias said.

The city will hold a workshop at the next meeting.

The council approved the SERVE Act, which will make it easier for veterans to conduct business in Fresno. The city will waive most business license fees for honorably discharged veterans.

Because all pieces of legislation need a clever name, SERVE is an acronym for Small-Enterprise Relief for Veteran Entrepreneurs.

The item passed on the consent calendar, 7-0, without discussion.

By a 7-0 vote during the consent calendar, the city council approved the formation of the Building Standards Appeals Board. The purpose, according to city documents is “to hear and decide appeals of orders, decisions, and determinations made by the City of Fresno related to Building Code violations.”

The five-member board will be appointed by the mayor and ratified by the city council. Members will serve four year terms, comprised of “city residents and possess knowledge of California building codes, regulations, and the FMC (Fresno Municipal Code).”

Members would be paid $100 per meeting for up to two meetings a month.

Measure C Offering Outreach Grants

The transportation planning agency contemplating renewal of Measure C is offering grants for outreach.

The Fresno Council of Governments announced grants at various levels for community-based organizations to help “increase awareness, education, and participation in Measure C Renewal Workshops to all communities.”

Measure C is the Fresno County half-cent sales tax for transportation projects. In place since 1986, the tax expires in June 2027. Fresno COG, and Transportation For All, a coalition of social and environmental groups, are holding separate outreach events for the future of Measure C.

The measure has generated more than $2.1 billion locally and leveraged $8 billion more in state and federal funding since its inception. For most households, the sales tax amounts to about $4 to $8 per month through everyday purchases like clothing, movie tickets, and restaurant dining.

Nonprofits are invited to apply at MeasureC2026.com.

Related Story: Hundreds Attend Measure C Meeting. Will Their Voices Be Heard?

Fresnan Reappointed to State Pharmacy Board

Kartikeya “KK” Jha of Fresno will continue serving on the State Board of Pharmacy. Gov. Gavin Newsom announced his reappointment this week. Jha, district director of operations at Onmicare, has served on the board since 2022. He has a Master of Science degree in Pharmacology and Toxicology from Long Island University.

The board “promotes the health and safety of Californians by pursuing the highest quality of pharmacist’s care and the appropriate use of pharmaceuticals through education, communication, licensing, legislation, regulation, and enforcement,” according to its website.