The Fresno County Board of Supervisors approved an update to the General Plan that includes rehabilitation of the proposed development area along the Kings River.
The 400-page plan aims to balance housing needs with environmental protection and has been in the works for more than a decade.
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On the banks of the river: The updated plan maintains the core goals of the previous plan and adds an environmental justice component developed in collaboration with the California Attorney General's Office.
- A proposed development at Harris River Ranch along the Kings River has raised concerns about its impact on the river. The Board of Supervisors directed planners to amend the Kings River Area Plan before allowing development of the ranch.
- The proposed project would impact 700 acres of ranchland, rather than the 7,000 acres originally proposed, and would not be located on the river.
Lots of feedback: The General Plan has been updated to be more stringent and a full environmental impact report is required before a home can be built. Abatement fees or conservation easements may be requested by the Board on a one-to-one basis.
- Stakeholders, including the Kings River Conservancy and other conservation organizations, are invited to collaborate on discussions about the development and protection of the Kings River.
- Planners acknowledge that the Kings River Regional Plan requires a long-term perspective, distinguishing between protected and non-protected areas, and incorporating mitigation measures for potential future development. .
- Fresno city officials have expressed concerns about the enforceability of changes to farmland conversion requirements, particularly regarding greenhouse gas emissions and mitigation measures.
