FRESNO, Calif. – On September 26, 2024, the Fresno City Council convened to discuss amendments* related to Assembly Bill 617 (AB 617), a statewide initiative aimed at reducing emissions in South Central Fresno. The council voted on amendments that extended existing studies and partnerships essential to the development of the South Central Specific Plan. South Central Fresno is a crucial revenue source for the City of Fresno yet, industrial and logistic businesses in the area are concerned about land use changes and short transitional periods to meet legal requirements.

[Related: City Announces Rezoning Plan for South Central Fresno: What It Means for Local Businesses, Part 1]

The amendments extended three key agreements until December 31, 2024, including:

• A Consultant Agreement with Arcadis
• A Research Agreement with the University of California, Merced
• A Reimbursement Agreement with the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District related to the Community Truck Reroute Study and Health Assessment

Council Vice President Mike Karbassi raised concerns about how the studies and policy decisions might affect Fresno’s employers, particularly businesses in the city’s Industrial Triangle. Karbassi emphasized that the city must be careful not to unintentionally harm businesses that play a significant role in driving Fresno’s economy. He questioned whether enough stakeholders had been involved in the discussions and asked if more feedback from businesses could be gathered before final decisions were made.

One of the major concerns raised by businesses was the potential for downzoning in the region. The south-central region in Fresno is home to the Industrial Triangle, which is currently categorized for heavy industrial use, and some are worried that changes could reclassify the area as light industrial or potentially mixed-use, which would affect existing operations. However, City Manager Georgeanne White clarified that the current study focuses only on truck routes and not on land-use changes. She acknowledged that some advocacy groups had pushed for land-use changes, but firmly stated that such decisions rest solely with the City Council and the mayor.

We will continue to provide updates and coverage as new information emerges regarding the South Central Specific Plan truck reroutes and land use changes that affect businesses.