As outlined in the City’s draft Fresno Green Strategy (April 23, 2007), Fresno is committed to building “green,” thus constructing buildings and communities that are “sustainable” and environmentally responsible. The benefits are immeasurable: cleaner air, pedestrian friendly neighborhoods, support for local businesses and agriculture, more green spaces, preservation of natural resources and our local architectural heritage and healthier indoor environments. Being green is no longer just a fad and technologically cool… it is an imperative. To quote a Lakota Sioux proverb:

“We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors;
we borrow it from our children.”

The City of Fresno’s Planning and Development Department has developed an incentive building program for private residential and non-residential projects called “Fresno Green.” Incentives for certified Fresno Green projects include:

•   25% fee reductions of many planning fees
•   20% minor deviation from development standards, if needed (25% if public art is incorporated into the project)
•   Expedited processing through the “Green Team”
•   Eligibility for a Fresno Green award and use of the Fresno Green brand for the project.

There are three routes that one can take to become a branded Fresno Green project: 1) satisfy the requirements of one of the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Programs; 2) qualify for Build It Green’s GreenPoint rating system for residential building; or 3) follow the Fresno Green checklists. Fresno Green has in fact borrowed from these national and state programs but was specifically developed to be more holistic in approach to the “greening of communities” Thus credits exist for historic preservation, historic landscapes and public art. Many credits are also specifically tied to the City’s 2025 General Plan.

For a Fresno Green handbook and checklists please contact Strati Perros (559-621-8021) or Karana Hattersley-Drayton (559-621-8520)

Minor Deviations
According to FMC Section 12-407, the Planning Director may grant a Minor Deviation from certain provisions of the Zoning Ordinance. A Minor Deviation is intended to provide limited flexibility from specific development standards provided that the proposed development is not detrimental to the public welfare or injurious to property and improvements in the area.

A Minor Deviation can be requested to modify up to ten percent of any Property Development Standard noted in the Zoning Ordinance. Property Development Standard shall mean any definitive, measurable characteristic or aspect of a development, such as but not limited to:

    1.Yard setbacks
    2.Parking
    3.Building height
    4.Space between buildings
    5.Lot area and dimensions
    6.Defined linear distances (such as for signs)
    7.Spacing requirements
    8.Size of zone districts

As an incentive to incorporate either Public Art or environmentally friendly design and construction methods (“Green” buildings) a Minor Deviation of up to 20% from the above listed standards may be granted. If both Public Art and Green buildings are proposed, a Minor Deviation of up to 25% from the above listed standards may be granted. A Minor Deviation does not apply to any standard related to the use of property, such as population density, nor to any standard called for in any adopted Plan.