Fresno City Council dais at Fresno City Hall, October 2020

A proposed congregate living facility that has caused discord among its Northwest Fresno neighbors has been given the green light.

Since its proposal, neighbors near Bullard Avenue and Van Ness Boulevard have voiced concerns about how the facility to be built by Infinite Living might affect the surrounding homes.

Opponents appealed a previous approval by the Fresno Planning Commission. On Thursday, the Fresno City Council denied the appeal and approved a conditional use permit for the facility. Councilmembers Luis Chavez and Garry Bredefeld recused themselves from the vote and stepped out of the room because of conflicts.

Council member Mike Karbassi abstained from the vote, which went 4-0 in favor of the facility.

The Infinite Living facility will provide a residential home for those who are physically challenged and have complex medical needs. It proposes converting a 3,310-square-foot residential home into an approximately 5,000-square-foot community life health facility comprising three buildings. 

On June 2, Fresno’s planning director approved the project, which was appealed. The planning commission considered the appeal on July 19, continuing the item to allow for an additional neighborhood meeting.

Following the meeting attended by 14 members of the public, the planning commission denied the appeal and upheld the director’s approval.

At the Oct. 19 Fresno City Council meeting, attorney Mike Durkee, spoke on behalf of his clients who filed the appeal, Andrew Wanger and Brent Smittcamp.

“We’re saying, in this case, it’s not been done right,” said Durkee. “We have always been told to show your work and with respect that has not been done here.”

The location is the concern, said Durkee, as was the process.

Three community members spoke in favor of the project, sharing the necessity of the facility in Fresno. Many explained their experiences with family members who would benefit from the facility. 

Joel Campbell, a business owner in Fresno who lives southeast of the planned project, shared how his son might require the facility one day. 

“There are many people in my neighborhood who are for this project, but they’re afraid to get up here and speak,” said Campbell. “I’m not because I’m here for people like my son.”

Opponents shared concerns about the unprecedented use of the planned area.

Fresno attorney Wanger lives four houses down from the prospective property. 

“The zoning for this neighborhood is the lowest density zoning in Fresno,” said Wanger. “It is zoned with an equine allowance – meaning there’s enough land in these homesites to have horses.”

According to Wanger, there are no lots in the zoning district with two 4500 square-foot homes, or even three. He said they are not opposed to the care facility. They are asking that the legal requirements be followed.

The team of medical professionals at the facility will provide acute care services, skilled nursing care, and complex respiratory care on a 24-hour-a-day basis.