Fresno Municipal Code Art. 13 Redevelopment and Community Development

The general provisions and definitions contained in the Community Redevelopment Law, except as modified by this article, and the general provisions and definitions set forth in this article shall govern the construction of this article, unless the context otherwise requires.

(Added Ord. 2007-55, § 4, eff. 9-4-07).

"Agency" means the Council in the exercise of the powers granted to it as the Redevelopment Agency of the city by the Community Redevelopment Law and this article.

(Added Ord. 2007-55, § 4, eff. 9-4-07).

Editor's note— Ord. 2020-050, § 1, effective November 30, 2020, amended the Code by repealing former § 2-1303 in its entirety. Former § 2-1303 pertained to the housing and community development commission, and derived from Ord. 2007-55, effective September 4, 2007.

"Community" means the city.

(Added Ord. 2007-55, § 4, eff. 9-4-07).

"Community development" means the overall program formulated by the community for the physical, environmental, and economic improvement of the community, including in its scope, without limitation, provision for decent housing, a suitable living environment, and the expansion of economic opportunity for all within the community but with emphasis on the needs of persons of low and moderate income. Formulation of a community development program includes planning and replanning, design and redesign, construction, clearance, reconstruction, rehabilitation, historical preservation, open space development, neighborhood facilities development, economic development and industrial recruitment, and human services to further the objectives of the program, for all or part of designated survey and activity areas singly or in combination, and also includes provision for such residential, industrial, recreational, public, or other facilities necessary or appropriate for the public welfare.

(Added Ord. 2007-55, § 4, eff. 9-4-07).

"Community Redevelopment Law" means the Community Redevelopment Law of the State, as set forth in Part 1 of Division 24 (commencing with Section 33000) of the Health and Safety Code of the State, and as the same shall be amended.

(Added Ord. 2007-55, § 4, eff. 9-4-07).

(a) The purpose of the action taken by the Council herein to assume all the rights, powers, duties, privileges and immunities heretofore vested in the Redevelopment Agency of the city, created and existing and heretofore functioning as an appointive agency pursuant to and under the Community Redevelopment Law, is to effectuate a consolidation and coordination of redevelopment project activities within the community with related planning, capital improvements, housing promotion and rehabilitation, public works, and other projects and activities conducted by the city. The principal objectives of such consolidation and coordination are the ultimate reduction or elimination of duplication of personnel effort through consolidation of functions, and improved coordination of the budgeting and administration or redevelopment project activities with community development activities of the city. The Council finds, therefore, that its action declaring itself to be the Agency will serve the public interest and promote the public safety and welfare in a more effective manner than the current organization.

(b) The Council declares that the Redevelopment Agency of the city has been designated and has continuously existed for more than three years. The Council has conducted a public hearing, duly noticed and held as required by the Community Redevelopment Law, and finds that there has been full public disclosure of all reports and proposals relating to the Council's intent to declare itself the Agency.

(c) Under and pursuant to the Community Redevelopment Law, the Council declares itself to be the Redevelopment Agency of the city. On the effective date of the ordinance adding this chapter to the Code the members of the Council shall become the members of the Agency and the appointive members heretofore comprising such agency shall cease to be members thereof and their appointive offices shall be vacated.

(d) The action of the Council herein declaring itself to be the Agency shall effect no change in the status of the Redevelopment Agency of the city as an existing public body, corporate and politic, which shall continue to exist as the same legal entity without change. Such action shall not be construed as making the Agency a department or other part of the government of the city, but the city as a municipal corporation and the agency shall be and remain separate, independent legal entities.

(Added Ord. 2007-55, § 4, eff. 9-4-07).

Projects comprising a community development program shall be formulated and proposed by the City Manager and/or the Executive Director of the Redevelopment Agency annually or as otherwise directed by the Council. Such projects shall include among their objectives the following:

(1) The elimination of slums and blight and the prevention of blighting influences and the deterioration of property and neighborhood and community facilities of importance to the welfare of the community, principally persons of low and moderate income;

(2) The elimination of conditions which are detrimental to health, safety, and public welfare, through code enforcement, demolition, interim rehabilitation assistance and related activities;

(3) The conservation and expansion of the city's housing stock in order to provide a decent home and a suitable living environment for all persons, but principally those of low and moderate income;

(4) Achievement of a balanced relationship, through coordinated and mutually supportive activities, of the community's physical facilities with the ability of the community to deliver services, principally for persons of low and moderate income;

(5) The attainment of a more rational utilization of land and other natural resources and the better arrangement of residential, commercial, industrial, recreational, and other needed activity centers;

(6) The reduction of the isolation of income groups within communities and geographical areas and the promotion of an increase in the diversity and vitality of neighborhoods through the spatial deconcentration of housing opportunities for persons of lower income and the revitalization of deteriorating or deteriorated neighborhoods to attract persons of higher income; and

(7) The restoration and preservation of properties of special value for historic, architectural or esthetic reasons through the redevelopment process or other means.

(Added Ord. 2007-55, § 4, eff. 9-4-07).

Editor's note— Ord. 2020-050, § 2, effective November 30, 2020, amended the Code by repealing former § 2-1309 in its entirety. Former § 2-1309 pertained to commission functions in community development, and derived from Ord. 2007-55, effective September 4, 2007.