Agenda Item Wording:
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Public Hearing and Ordinance Adoption -
* General Plan Amendment No. 2025-02: A request by the City of Visalia to change the land use designation on a 21-acre parcel from Parks/Recreation to Commercial Mixed Use.
* First Reading of Ordinance No. 2026-04 to adopt Change of Zone No. 2025-03: A request by the City of Visalia to change the zoning designation on a 21-acre parcel from QP (Quasi-Public) to C-MU (Commercial Mixed Use).
Location: The site is located on the northwest corner of Akers Street and Riggin Avenue, within the City of Visalia, County of Tulare (APN: 077-100-103).
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Agenda Date: 06/15/2026
Prepared by:
Brandon Smith, Principal Planner, brandon.smith@visalia.gov, (559) 713-4636;
Paul Bernal, Planning and Community Preservation Director, paul.bernal@visalia.gov, (559) 713- 4025
Department Recommendation:
The Planning Commission recommends that the City Council take the following actions, consistent with the staff recommendation made to Planning Commission on June 8, 2026:
1) Adopt Initial Study / Negative Declaration No. 2026-14 (Resolution No. 2026-37 required);
2) Approve General Plan Amendment No. 2025-02 (Resolution No. 2026-38 required); and,
3) Conduct the first reading of Ordinance No. 2026-04 to adopt Change of Zone No. 2025-03.
If approved by the City Council, staff will bring back the second reading of Ordinance No. 2026-04, at the July 20, 2026, City Council meeting.
The entitlements are supported by both the Planning Commission and staff based on the project's consistency with the General Plan and Zoning Ordinance. In addition, the entitlements are consistent with the recommendation of the City Council during the public hearing item held on September 2, 2025, where Council favored the entire 21-acre site being designated for Commercial Mixed Use, rather than the previous concept to change 16 acres out of the 21-acre parcel toward Commercial Mixed Use and retain 5 acres on the northwest portion of t...
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