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Energize Fresno Creating an energy-independent Fresno, one neighborhood at a time.

Energize Fresno

Community Scope Report November 2016

The Local Government Commission

Energize Fresno Creating an energy-independent Fresno, one neighborhood at a time.

Abstract

The Energize Fresno Community Scope Report is a summary of conditions that outlines the

opportunity for creating an “Energy Opportunity Zone” in the heart of Fresno. It defines

Energize Fresno’s role in moving the city towards becoming an Advanced Energy Community,

facilitating targeted deployment of technology and resources as effectively as possible, while

supporting Fresno’s city goals and addressing community needs.

The information presented in this report reflects the work accomplished by the Energize Fresno

team as of the publication date, and may not necessarily reflect the program’s design in its

most recent form.

Project Specifics

Contractor: Partners: Amount: Co-funding: Term:

Local Government Commission Tierra Resource Consultants, City of Fresno, CalSTART, Fresno Metro Ministry $1,500,000 $12,445 in-kind support May 2016 – March 2018

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ABSTRACT

Energize Fresno supplements Fresno community efforts by consolidating the selection process

of high-quality, cost-effective projects that contribute to community prosperity through an

Advanced Energy Community (AEC).

The City of Fresno and Fresno Council of Governments (COG) have developed policies in recent

years that direct Energize Fresno to focus on an “Energy Opportunity Zone” (EOZ) in Fresno’s

Blackstone-Downtown area with “nodes” of project activity at existing or planned transit sites.

Prioritizing projects within a determined area provides an effective way of increasing grid

reliability, reducing costs, and improving economic opportunity.

Fresno has great diversity in cultures and languages as well as large disparities in resident

incomes. As the population grows, increased pressures are placed on the current transportation

system, economy, housing stock, energy infrastructure, and other existing resources.

Responding to demographic and market pressures, Energize Fresno created a filter to rank

projects based on their ability to increase energy and water efficiency while reducing emissions,

deploying clean technologies, and creating jobs. “Good fit” projects also align with local

planning goals, have political support, or embody goals of the California Energy Commission’s

Electric Program Investment Charge (EPIC) grant, including: increased grid reliability and

resiliency, improved energy efficiency, deployment of renewable energy, smart grid, and zero

net energy technologies.

Energize Fresno solicited the City of Fresno and a Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) to guide

the team in selecting and deploying AEC projects for maximum impact. This process has

uncovered 29 potentially suitable projects. By leveraging community plans and improvements,

Energize Fresno can integrate AEC strategies into current and future projects for increased

efficiency and resource conservation. Moving forward, Energize Fresno will place great

emphasis on utilizing various methods of communication to appeal to Fresno’s diverse

populations and promote community inclusiveness and representation in identifying local

needs in pursuit of the AEC.

Keywords: California, solar, energy, photovoltaic, PV, cell, panel, building, integrated, BIPV,

electricity production, distributed generation, initiative, emerging, renewables, program, Fresno,

Energize Fresno, EPIC, Blackstone Corridor, EOZ, Energy Opportunity Zone, ZNE, Zero Energy

District, ICRM, Integrated Community Resource Market, Electric Program Investment Charge,

LGC, Local Government Commission

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

ABSTRACT ................................................................................................................................................. i

TABLE OF CONTENTS .......................................................................................................................... ii

LIST OF FIGURES ................................................................................................................................... iii

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ......................................................................................................................... 1

CHAPTER 1: Report Goals & Methods ................................................................................................. 5

Goals ..........................................................................................................................................................5

Methods .....................................................................................................................................................5

Fresno Demographic and Planning Information .............................................................................5

Project Pipeline .....................................................................................................................................5

Project Filtration ..................................................................................................................................6

Role of Stakeholder Input ...................................................................................................................6

CHAPTER 2: Major Planning Initiatives .............................................................................................. 8

Overview of the Fresno General Plan ....................................................................................................8

Overview of the Sustainable Community Strategy, Fresno Council of Governments ...................9

Initiative – Energy Efficiency ............................................................................................................... 10

Initiative – Downtown Planning Area & Fulton Street Corridor ..................................................... 10

Initiative – High Speed Rail Station .................................................................................................... 11

Initiative – Blackstone Bus Rapid Transit Corridor & Activity Centers ........................................ 11

Initiative – Infill Development ............................................................................................................ 12

Overview of the Metropolitan Water Resources Management Plan .............................................. 13

Overview of the San Joaquin Valley Plug-In Electric Vehicle (PEV) Readiness Plan .................... 14

CONCLUSION ......................................................................................................................................... 14

CHAPTER 3: City of Fresno Overview ................................................................................................ 15

Demographics ....................................................................................................................................... 15

Resource Consumption Information ................................................................................................. 23

Clean Energy, Efficiency, and Renewable Development.................................................................. 26

CHAPTER 4: Summary of Guiding Conditions ................................................................................ 31

CHAPTER 5: Project Identification & Scoring................................................................................... 33

Project Identification & Review Methodology................................................................................... 33

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CHAPTER 6: Conclusions ...................................................................................................................... 39

GLOSSARY ............................................................................................................................................... 41

APPENDIX A. City of Fresno General Plan 17 Priorities ................................................................ 42

APPENDIX B. City of Fresno Project Solicitation Document ......................................................... 45

APPENDIX C. Energize Fresno Phase I Pre-Filter ............................................................................. 46

APPENDIX D. Local Technical Advisory Committee Agenda & Participant List ...................... 49

LIST OF FIGURES

Page

Figure 3-1 – 2014 Demographic Distribution of Sex and Age ......................................................... 16

Figure 3-2 – 2009-2035 Projected Fresno County Employment Growth ........................................ 17

Figure 3-3 – 2013 Poverty Distribution ................................................................................................ 18

Figure 3-4 – 2014 Demographic Distribution of Race ....................................................................... 19

Figure 3-5 – 2013 Language Distribution ............................................................................................. 20

Figure 3-6 – Population Growth from 1960 to 2016 ........................................................................... 21

Figure 3-7 – 2013 Housing Stock and Decadal Build ........................................................................ 22

Figure 3-8 – Overall Natural Gas Use and Change from 2005-2015 ............................................... 24

Figure 3-9 – 2013-2016 City of Fresno Overall Water Consumption Graph.................................. 25

Figure 3-10 – 2014-2015 Energy Efficiency Financing Trend ........................................................... 26

Figure 3-11 – 2014 PG&E Composition of Renewable Power ......................................................... 27

Figure 3-12 – Residential Solar Sites from 2001 to 2015.................................................................... 28

Figure 3-13 – Non-Residential Solar Sites from 2002 to 2015 .......................................................... 29

Figure 5-1 – Projects After Phase I Pre-Filter Stage 1 Scoring ......................................................... 35

Figure 5-2 – Map of Projects within the EOZ ..................................................................................... 38

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Community Scope Report is a summary of conditions that outlines the opportunity for

creating an “Energy Opportunity Zone” (EOZ) in the heart of Fresno and defines Energize

Fresno’s role in moving the city towards becoming an Advanced Energy Community (AEC),

facilitating targeted deployment of technology and resources as effectively as possible, while

supporting Fresno’s city goals and addressing community needs. Both the City of Fresno and

Fresno Council of Governments (COG) have undertaken a series of activities (with strong

community stakeholder and political engagement) that have resulted in sustainability-oriented

plans and policies that support AEC concepts and have set the stage for Energize Fresno

(including a 2014 General Plan update and a Blackstone Corridor Bus Rapid Transit system).

This scope report includes a high-level view of these policies and planning initiatives as well as

a demographic and market profile for the city to inform guiding principles for Energize

Fresno’s program development and design as well as project selection. It also provides the

methodology and results of an initial project selection process to advise future AEC plans.

The California Energy Commission uses the term “Advanced Energy Community” to denote

communities that are employing technologies and strategies to improve grid reliability and

resiliency, increase energy efficiency, and deploy renewable energy, smart grid, and zero net

energy technologies. Energize Fresno has incorporated many of the city’s regional planning

initiatives to help define Fresno as an AEC, including the Metropolitan Water Resources

Management Plan, the San Joaquin Valley Plug-In Electric Vehicle (PEV) Readiness Plan, and

various greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction plans such as the 2014 Regional Transportation Plan

Sustainable Communities Strategy. In addition, the California High Speed Rail Authority (HSRA)

has plans to build a station in downtown Fresno, making the area a major transit hub. By

leveraging these community plans and existing city sustainability efforts, Energize Fresno can

integrate AEC components into current and future projects to support energy efficiency and

resource conservation and expedite the local vision for the future of Fresno.

These planning and policy goals strongly suggest that focusing innovation and investment in

clean energy and resource efficiency in the downtown area and along the Blackstone Corridor is

both in line with local and state goals and takes advantage of currently planned initiatives.

Energize Fresno established these two planning areas to be the EOZ because they are

representative of the diversity of projects and stakeholders that exist throughout all of Fresno,

with “nodes” representing transit hotspots to encourage the concentration of mixed-use and

advanced energy projects. The EOZ concept embraces the Energy Commission’s definition of an

AEC, but also offers the additional dimension that the AEC will effectively leverage a city’s

unique planning infrastructure and associated stakeholder groups and market conditions as a

basis to implement more sustainability projects.

Demographically, Fresno is culturally and racially diverse, with a large percentage of the

population living in or near poverty. While economically stressed, Fresno has made progress on

some important energy-related conservation activities. The city has routinely reduced water and

overall energy consumption, while electricity consumption increases along with population. The

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number of renewable energy installations continues to rise each year, however, paving the way

for increased self-production and consumption in the city. If this energy capacity is expanded

and leveraged, the city’s renewable sources could prove to be a positive force for the security of

Fresno’s energy and some of the most vulnerable populations in the state. As such, Energize

Fresno will emphasize clean energy deployment to increase grid reliability, conserve resources,

and stimulate the local economy.

In parallel with research on policy and profile conditions, Energize Fresno has collected

information regarding potential EOZ projects and organized it into a comprehensive project

inventory. Sustainable Fresno, the City of Fresno’s sustainability division, led the initial project

collection effort by collaborating with the Mayor’s Office to gather both public and private

projects known to the city and solicit information on public works projects, initiatives, and

projects that might align with Energize Fresno, yielding 45 projects. The Energize Fresno team

added several additional projects to this list based on known initiatives and project concepts

that aligned with program goals and engaged a Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) of local

community members to guide the team in selecting and deploying AEC projects for maximum

impact.

Based on the foregoing policy and profile information and results of the broad discovery

process, the project team developed a filter to narrow its focus on projects that increase the

community’s energy, water, and corridor efficiency while enhancing clean technology

deployment and creating jobs and economic opportunity in Fresno. Projects were deemed a

good fit if they additionally aligned with the city’s planning goals, had political support, or

embodied some of the goals of the California Energy Commission’s Electric Program Investment

Charge (EPIC) grant. This process has uncovered 29 potentially suitable projects, including a

mixture of public works, planning initiatives, private projects, and energy and water efficiency

advances across new construction, renovations, programmatic initiatives, and others. The costs

for these projects range from a few hundred thousand to a billion dollars and are primarily

located in the downtown section of the EOZ, demonstrating a downtown-centric development

emphasis that predates initiation of the Bus Rapid Transit corridor along Blackstone. The

filtering mechanism has helped to organize the identification of projects that focus on resource

conservation while enhancing mixed-use development and the smart growth vision set by local

policy, and also will allow the project team to define how the Energize Fresno platform can be

scaled to other communities with a long-term planning process similar to Fresno (which

includes the majority of cities in California). The list of projects may also continue to evolve

and grow as outreach to various stakeholders continues through the term of the Phase I AEC

EPIC grant period, scheduled for completion in early 2018.

In order to create a robust Master Community Design across a zone that encompasses highly

varied neighborhoods and socioeconomic groups, Energize Fresno plans to undertake extensive

community outreach to find projects that span the breadth of the EOZ, including projects of

varying size and scope and projects that address the concerns of disadvantaged communities

and residents. In appealing to Fresno’s culturally diverse populations, Energize Fresno ensures

that the EOZ is designed to meet the needs of its community members.

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These results will help the Energize Fresno team to further identify programs, technology

measures, and policies that offer significant impacts for the level of investment available. As a

resource for external stakeholders, the Community Scope Report also provides a transparent

description of the project identification process, as well as a roadmap for future Integrated

Community Resource Market model users.

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CHAPTER 1: Report Goals & Methods

Goals

The goals of the Community Scope Report are as follows:

• Provide a transparent description of the project selection and community identification

process.

• Define how Fresno’s city and county planning initiatives and local market conditions can

best be employed to target and drive sustainability in large redevelopment,

infrastructure projects, and private investment.

• Provide the community identification and demographic information to guide the

Community Delivery Capacity Report, which will be an analysis of the community’s

capacity to deliver projects and results, as well as a “project pipeline” of potential

projects for the Energize Fresno program.

• Provide a roadmap for future Integrated Community Resource Market1 model users.

Note that both Figures and Tables are numbered sequentially using whole numbers, from 1

onward. Please avoid renumbering at the start of each chapter and using decimal points or

letters (such as Figure 1.1 or Figure 1a).

Methods

Fresno Demographic and Planning Information

The Energize Fresno team reviewed Fresno’s General Plan and Sustainable Communities

Strategy and summarized the key community initiatives in this report for the purpose of

evaluating Energize Fresno’s alignment with local policy and vision. This will allow Energize

Fresno to identify and prioritize projects that further Fresno’s energy and development goals

for the designated project area. The team also included demographic and energy market data to

identify current conditions in Fresno and guide program efforts and marketing strategy.

Project Pipeline

The City of Fresno was responsible for the initial project discovery as part of the Community

Scope Report, obtaining information on public works projects and initiatives. Sustainable

Fresno, the City of Fresno’s sustainability division, led the project collection effort by

collaborating with the Mayor’s Office to collect both public and private projects known to the

city. Inclusion of the Mayor’s Office was crucial from the standpoint of project momentum; the

mayor’s staff were able to provide information on potential projects, funding availability, and

1 The Integrated Community Resource Market is the model that Energize Fresno is building. It refers to the platform with integrated planning, analysis, verification, and reporting for use by communities to identify and deploy high-impact community-level projects using a portfolio approach.

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planning goals of the city. To do this, city members circulated an initial data request and

template project form (Appendix B). City staff then collected the results from this initial data

request and undertook further analysis and initial characterization of projects.

The Energize Fresno project team also solicited additional projects from the community. The

team deemed projects a good fit if the project plans already had political support or embodied

the goals of the Energy Commission’s EPIC grant and aligned with the city’s planning goals.

Project Filtration

The initial project discovery process uncovered a large number of projects, of which a

significant amount were non-energy public infrastructure projects, and therefore unlikely to be

relevant to the AEC goals of the platform. Due to the high number of projects and the wide

variety of projects, initiatives, and programs that were collected by the City of Fresno, the team

developed a preliminary filtration process in order to prioritize and include only those projects

that fit the basic criteria for the Energize Fresno program. The team utilized this initial project

list to iteratively generate a project “Pre-Filter” to quickly and easily score projects. This

developmental process included basic high-level project analysis, evaluation of scoring, and

question creation. The “Pre-Filter” consists of questions that elicit the information necessary to

ascertain if a project is suitable for a more detailed analysis and potential inclusion in the final

project portfolio.

In order to create a streamlined filtration process that could align with the project solicitation

process, the Energize Fresno team split the Pre-Filter into two parts: a “Phase I Pre-Filter” and a

“Phase II Pre-Filter.” The team intends to use the Phase I Pre-Filter during project solicitation

and consists of nine high-level questions to fill out with a basic understanding of local and

state policy, energy technology, and building systems. This allows the Energize Fresno team (or

the local government, specifically) to use the Phase I Pre-Filter to quickly assess the feasibility

of projects before submission. Additionally, the Phase I Pre-Filter creates a transparent, easy,

and trackable method for eliminating unsuitable projects before moving forward with more

detailed analysis.

The Phase II Pre-Filter consists of more in-depth questions that allow for the team to quickly

ascertain the continuing viability of a project and make a “yes” or “no” decision on moving a

project forward for detailed modeling and analysis.

Role of Stakeholder Input

Local stakeholder input has been a feature of the Energize Fresno program since inception. The

Energize Fresno team itself consists of local stakeholders representing local government,

community organizations, and residents.

In order to solicit broader local stakeholder input on specific items, the team formed a local

Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) that includes representatives from local government,

regional government entities, non-profits, community organizations, educational institutions,

developers, and businesses. While the primary purpose of the TAC is to guide the strategy and

focus of Energize Fresno in terms of project type, technology type, and geographic area, it also

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serves as an avenue to introduce potential projects and new project partners to the Energize

Fresno program. The TAC will meet quarterly to review project status and provide feedback.

Between meetings, the committee will be engaged on specific project elements and encouraged

to continue engaging with their respective communities. Specifically, for the Community Scope

Report, the Energize Fresno team solicited feedback on the filtration process and project

concepts under review.

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CHAPTER 2: Major Planning Initiatives

Over the last several years, both the City of Fresno and Fresno Council of Governments have

undertaken a series of activities (with strong community stakeholder and political engagement)

that have resulted in sustainability-oriented plans and policies that support the concepts of an

Advanced Energy Community and have set the stage for Energize Fresno.

Energize Fresno is first and foremost an effort for the City of Fresno. Being in alignment with

the local planning documents ensures that the EOZ is for the city and addresses the concerns of

local community members. In following the redevelopment guidelines set down by the City of

Fresno and Fresno COG, Energize Fresno is working to simply accelerate existing community

plans for priority areas rather than dictate new plans that may be incompatible with Fresno’s

local culture and values.

This chapter describes the priority planning strategies of Fresno’s local government entities and

summarizes key points from these initiatives as they relate to Energize Fresno’s goals.

Overview of the Fresno General Plan

The City of Fresno approved its 2035 General Plan Objectives and Policies in December 2014

after five years of planning (including two years of intensive public and private community

engagement). The update process that created the General Plan took a comprehensive look at

where the city is, where it would like to be by its General Plan Horizon in 2035, and by its

General Plan Build-Out beyond 2035. This plan expresses the vision of the city’s leaders and

outlines civic priorities to guide Energize Fresno efforts while ensuring the project is supportive

of the local agenda.

The General Plan’s 17 goals focus on current and future community needs, neighborhood

character, economic development challenges and opportunities, mixed-use and infill

development strategies, development considerations outside the current city limits, and the

fiscal resources and management strategies needed to attain the city’s goals. Key strategies

include the strengthening of existing centers of activity and commercial corridors, as well as

expanding Fresno’s industrial capacity, retail base, and new residential neighborhoods. Lastly,

the plan incorporates residents’ input regarding different land uses such as housing, shopping,

industry, parks and recreation, the location of public facilities, and how city resources should

be leveraged to achieve the plan’s goals. There is strong community alignment across all 17

General Plan Goals, a number of which are particularly relevant to Energize Fresno and can be

capitalized on in the project selection process. The applicable goals are outlined below.

• Goal 1: Increase opportunity, economic development and business and job creation.

• Goal 2: Support a successful and competitive downtown.

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• Goal 3: Emphasize conservation, successful adaptation to climate and changing resource

conditions, and performance effectiveness in the use of energy, water, land, buildings,

natural resources, and fiscal resources required for the long-term sustainability of

Fresno.

• Goal 4: Emphasize achieving healthy air quality and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.

• Goal 8: Develop Complete Neighborhoods and districts with an efficient and diverse mix

of residential densities, building types, and affordability which are designed to be

healthy, attractive, and centered by schools, parks, and public and commercial services

to provide a sense of place and that provide as many services as possible within walking

distance.

• Goal 10: Emphasize increased land use intensity and mixed-use development at

densities supportive of greater use of transit in Fresno.

• Goal 11: Emphasize and plan for all modes of travel on local and major streets in

Fresno.

• Goal 12: Resolve existing public infrastructure and service deficiencies, make full use of

existing infrastructure, and invest in improvements to increase competitiveness and

promote economic growth.

Overview of the Sustainable Community Strategy, Fresno Council of Governments

The Sustainable Communities Strategy (SCS), as defined by California Senate Bill No. 375 (2008),

illustrates the Fresno Council of Governments’ (COG) plan for reducing greenhouse gas

emissions through transportation and land use strategies within the COG’s sphere of influence,

which includes the City of Fresno. The SCS emphasizes more compact, transit-oriented

development in local transportation and land use planning by integrating sustainability into

Fresno COG’s Regional Transportation Plan.

Infill is a major priority of the SCS, which has the goal of strengthening existing communities

by concentrating high-density and mixed-use housing and employment centers along major

corridors where there is existing or planned transportation infrastructure. The SCS has an

additional focus on providing more transportation options by expanding and improving upon

current alternative transportation systems and infrastructure, including public transit,

alternative vehicles, vanpools, bicycling, and walking. Fresno COG estimates that there will be

more than 500 miles of bike lanes and 120 miles of sidewalks constructed in the COG’s

planning area by the end of 2040. The SCS is also sensitive to environmental justice and

underserved communities and makes it a priority to involve those communities in their plan.

The SCS’s overall message is that Fresno has a great need for incentive programs to implement

its smart growth strategy.

To complement these efforts, the Energize Fresno team has selected a project area along the

Blackstone corridor and will prioritize development projects along major transportation

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arteries in project design. Upon implementation, Fresno should be able to provide an integrated

financing and operations model to help development projects that meet these goals.

Initiative – Energy Efficiency

The City of Fresno has consistently promoted energy and resource conservation in local,

regional, and statewide efforts. In adopting the latest California Energy Code (2013), the city

demonstrated its commitment to improving the energy efficiency of new permitted projects in

alignment with the state’s ambitious goals as well as Goal 3 of the city’s General Plan.

The City of Fresno makes a concerted effort to be a good steward of the environment. City staff

members have installed solar photovoltaic systems at numerous city-owned facilities, and the

city is continuously looking for new opportunities to conserve energy and other resources,

including the installation of renewable resources.

In an effort to reuse process waste, the Fresno-Clovis Regional Wastewater Reclamation Facility

reclaims its methane production and uses it to run generators, which in turn provides

significant electrical energy for the plant. This effort traps methane, a potent greenhouse gas,

and simultaneously helps to decrease the load on the electricity delivery infrastructure.

The city not only leads by example by utilizing renewable energy technologies, but staff also

promote and facilitate renewable energy adoption in residential and non-residential buildings.

One of their major efforts is a comprehensive no-cost residential and non-residential energy

efficiency survey program to help educate community members about potential energy

efficiency and resource conservation measures currently available.

Additionally, the city has partnered with Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) on the Fresno Energy

Watch program, a collaborative effort to leverage resources in order to increase awareness of

energy and resource conservation and facilitate energy-efficient retrofits for residential and

non-residential businesses. To support these projects and explore new opportunities, the City

of Fresno has dedicated staff that promote sustainability and conservation in the community

along with city adoption of progressive state guidelines.

Fresno’s current initiatives and energy priorities align well with the goals of Energize Fresno

and with those of an AEC. The successful city programs such as PACE deployment and Fresno

Energy Watch will allow Energize Fresno to build projects from an existing base instead of

starting anew. The city’s increasing demand for renewable energy and energy efficiency will be

a major driving factor in the potential success of Energize Fresno; demand for projects such as

those in the Energize Fresno program should reflect the historical desire for solar PV

installations, and should complement renewable energy deployment.

Initiative – Downtown Planning Area & Fulton Street Corridor

The centerpiece of Fresno is the Downtown Planning Area, as defined in Goal 2 of the General

Plan. This goal envisions a new focus on land use and design along the major streets and

neighborhoods that support Fresno’s downtown, with an emphasis on Fulton Street. The focus

includes proposals for increased density and vibrant mixed-use centers that will emanate from

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the downtown area along the Blackstone Avenue, Ventura Avenue-Kings Canyon Road, and

California Avenue transportation corridors, extending the reach of connections to downtown in

all directions.

The General Plan anticipates specific and community plans will further enhance and define the

Downtown Planning Area, such as the proposed Downtown Neighborhoods Community Plan2

(DNCP) and the Fulton Corridor-Specific Plan3 (FCSP), and be further implemented through the

adoption of a new Development Code for regulations specific to the Downtown Planning Area.

The existence of these planning areas directs Energize Fresno to focus the Energy Opportunity

Zone on the downtown core. In initiating the place-making, development, and revitalization in

Fresno’s city center and major transportation arteries, investments and resource savings will

have a better chance of emanating throughout the city.

Initiative – High Speed Rail Station

California High Speed Rail (HSR) Authority has plans to build a station in Fresno’s downtown to

be completed by 2019. As a modern train station designed to serve the region, the HSR station

represents a very significant infrastructure investment and one that is likely to have spillover

developmental impacts on the entire downtown area. Beyond mobilizing infrastructure and

development improvements, the station represents a significant economic boon for Fresno. Of

particular interest to Energize Fresno, HSR’s Request for Qualifications for the Fresno station

require detailed sustainability measures and “eco-district” principles prioritized for the site’s

construction with the hopes of creating new and energy-efficient mixed-use development in the

surrounding area.

The HSR station is an additional reason to focus Energize Fresno’s efforts on the downtown

area, as it represents another leverage opportunity for infill and clean energy deployment.

Although the HSR Station planning aligns with the downtown area plan, as a state project, it

does bring additional goals and stakeholders that need to be considered.

Initiative – Blackstone Bus Rapid Transit Corridor & Activity Centers

Chapter 4 of the General Plan outlines a preliminary plan for Bus Rapid Transit (BRT)

development. BRT is expected to travel along the major corridors of Blackstone, Shaw

(enhanced system only), Ventura/Kings Canyon, and California Avenues, connecting residents

2 “The Downtown Neighborhoods Community Plan (DNCP) is the community’s tool for guiding the successful regeneration of Downtown Fresno and its surrounding neighborhoods. It is a visionary document that lays out the community’s long-term goals for the Plan Area and provides detailed policies concerning a wide range of topics, including land use and development, transportation, the public realm of streets and parks, infrastructure, historic resources, and health and wellness. Along with the accompanying form based Downtown Development Code, the DNCP is intended to protect Fresno’s oldest neighborhoods, while encouraging and accommodating future development, in a manner that contributes to a stronger and healthier community for everyone.” (City of Fresno)

3 “The Fulton Corridor Specific Plan is the community’s tool for guiding the future development of Downtown Fresno. It is both a visionary document that lays out the community’s long-term goals for the Plan Area, as well as an implementation plan for immediate and midterm actions needed to achieve the long-term vision. It provides detailed policies concerning a wide range of topics, including land use and development, historic resources, the public realm, transportation, and infrastructure.” (City of Fresno)

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to Downtown, North Fresno, West Fresno, Southwest Fresno, Southeast Fresno and Clovis. Stops

will be at major shopping centers, future activity centers, Fresno State University, established

neighborhoods, places of employment and other transit options (High Speed Rail, AMTRAK,

Yosemite Area Regional Transit System, etc.), furthering the connectivity goals as outlined by

Goal 11 of the General Plan.

Blackstone Avenue is currently the most prominent major street corridor connecting the

downtown area to the northern areas of Fresno, including the large commercial centers

concentrated between Herndon and Nees Avenues. This major passageway is part of the first

phase planned BRT route for transit-supportive corridor-related land use development and

contains many “opportunity sites” that may be developed into Activity Centers4 in the future.

This development will occur over time as properties become available or landowners choose to

re-develop. Initially, the BRT stops will occur every half-mile, with the eventual expansion of

major BRT stations and surrounding mixed-use centers at one-mile intervals, located at the

intersections of major east-west avenues (Bullard, Shaw, Ashlan, Shields, and McKinley).

Energize Fresno will prioritize projects centralized around BRT stops to enhance planned

mixed-use, pedestrian-oriented development and will facilitate the stations’ integration into the

surrounding neighborhood. Development around BRT stops will help to increase the economic

effect of Energize Fresno investments and push developers towards a more transit-centric

model.

General Plan References to BRT and Activity Centers - Sections 1.1 Context, 1.3 Development

Under the Plan, 3.2 Citywide Urban Form, 3.3 Infill Development, 3.4 Development Areas, 3.5

Land Use, 4.5 Transit Service, 4.6 Objectives and Policies, 12.3 Infill Initiatives, and 12.6

Defining and Supporting Infill, and Figures 1-3 Residential Capacity Allocation and IM-1 Priority

Areas for Development Incentives.

Initiative – Infill Development

While the prior two initiatives focus on specific areas or activities, Goal 10 of the General Plan

underscores the city’s desire for a more general increase in infill5 development. Infill

development is an essential component of smart growth, as it focuses development inwards.

With outward growth, urban sprawl destroys fertile farmlands and other sensitive ecosystems.

As large sections of downtown and the Blackstone Corridor become available for

redevelopment, infill development offers the opportunity for new, compact mixed growth that

ensures residents are not far from amenities, thereby drastically improving walkability while

4 Goal 10 of the General Plan encourages the development of vibrant “Activity Centers” with public spaces, medium-high and high-density residential, retail, and employment uses located along these major street thoroughfares. The Activity Centers will also support surrounding neighborhoods, multi-modal transportation including the BRT system, and downtown. These corridors offer great opportunities for future growth over time as nodes of mixed-use development create more walkable, transit-oriented spaces. Such sites are currently underutilized or vacant, thereby enabling the city to also capitalize on infill development.

5 The terms “infill area” and “infill development” are intended to be used interchangeably, and shall be defined consistent with the definition of “infill area” set forth in Objective UF-12 of the General Plan. However, the City acknowledges that various statutes articulate alternative definitions for “infill.” To the extent that the City must comply with those alternative statutory definitions, the definitions of “infill” contained within Public Resources Code 21061.3 and CEQA Guidelines 15332 may apply.

13

reducing traffic congestion and vehicle miles traveled. This supports the City of Fresno’s goals

of providing for revitalizing activity and commercial districts as well as expanding transit

access.

In addition to infill development along the corridors, Fresno also prioritizes well-designed infill

and rehabilitation to create “Complete Neighborhoods,” as defined in Goal 8 of the General

Plan. This includes improvements to single-family lots, small multi-family lots, and small

subdivisions as well as the revitalization and rehabilitation of small retail centers, employment

centers, and some multi-family properties. These infill developments and redevelopments will

focus on creating Complete Neighborhoods in existing residential areas. Some tools that can be

used to accomplish this include: transportation connectivity, financial incentives for investing

in established neighborhoods, design compatibility, providing missing uses such as recreation,

enhanced landscaping, maintenance of public right-of-way areas, and providing community-

based services.

Fresno’s focus on infill and Complete Streets advises Energize Fresno in two specific ways.

First, without a focus on infill development and turning existing streets into Complete Streets,

there wouldn’t be the focus needed on redeveloping the downtown and Blackstone corridor

areas needed to support enough projects. Secondly, infill and Complete Streets align with

Energize Fresno’s stated goals of AEC deployment and resources savings, thus offering the

ability to leverage existing city priorities, projects, and plans and code updates.

General Plan References to Infill Development - Sections 1.1 Context, 1.3 Development Under

the Plan, 3.3 Infill Development, 3.4 Development Areas, 3.5 Land Use, 12.3 Infill Initiatives, and

12.6 Defining and Supporting Infill, and Figure IM-1 Priority Areas for Development Incentives.

Overview of the Metropolitan Water Resources Management Plan

The 2014 update to the Metro Plan Update includes near-term and future project elements

including defining various water conservation measures to be implemented on an ongoing

basis. During the development of the downtown and Blackstone corridor RTP project pipeline,

the Energize Fresno project will coordinate with stakeholders to incorporate various water

conservation activities defined in the plan including:

• Completing residential water metering program (completed)

• Implementing rebate programs for water conserving devices and systems

• Implementing Commercial, Industrial, and Institutional water conservation programs

• Joining the California Urban Water Conservation Council and participating in

informational and training workshops and jointly-funded water conservation programs

• Enacting a Retrofit Upon Resale Ordinance

• Implementing Turf Replacement Rebates (“Cash for Grass”)

• Developing a Landscape Water Audit and Budget Program

• Developing a Prioritized Leak Detection Program

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• Conducting a Complete Water System Audit

• Billing with Commodity Rates (and eventually Tiered Rates)

Overview of the San Joaquin Valley Plug-In Electric Vehicle (PEV) Readiness Plan

The primary focus of the San Joaquin Valley Plug-In Electric Vehicle (PEV) Readiness Plan is on

the installation of PEV charging infrastructure, or electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE). The

plan provides an assessment of five core actions critical to preparing municipalities for PEV

deployment, including 1) zoning and parking, 2) permitting and inspection, 3) building codes, 4)

training and education, and 5) outreach to local businesses and residents. Each of these core

activities includes a profile of three critical components:

• Policy Gaps and Areas for Improvement

• Addressing Policy Gaps and Areas for Improvement

• Recommendations for Regional Next Steps

During the development of the downtown and Blackstone Regional Transportation Plan (RTP)

project pipeline, Energize Fresno will coordinate with PEV readiness plan stakeholders to

incorporate various plan components.

CONCLUSION

Based on the foregoing policy and planning initiatives, Energize Fresno sees clear value and

alignment in focusing efforts on the Blackstone BRT corridor, downtown planning area, and

relevant activity corridors. By defining the EOZ as the Blackstone and Downtown areas, Energize

Fresno can concentrate on infill development and energy deployment where the city sees the

most benefits accruing, leverage existing public plans, develop clean energy and resource

efficiency, bolster infill development, and increase low-impact, high-mobility improvements.

Additionally, due to the nature of energy efficiency and the desire for cost-effectiveness, any

energy infrastructure improvements to public property will carry with them the fiscal

responsibility that the City of Fresno General Plan prizes.

15

CHAPTER 3: City of Fresno Overview

Chapter 3 provides an overview of the City of Fresno based on community demographics,

consumption habits, and energy development with the purpose of providing insight into

existing conditions affecting all sectors (residential, commercial, and industrial) in Fresno. The

Energize Fresno team will use this information to identify project focus, outreach and

marketing opportunities, as well as to inform the project evaluation process as needed. This

material was derived from different sources including: City of Fresno internal data, City of

Fresno 2035 General Plan, City of Fresno Consolidated Plan, and PG&E.

Demographics

This section summarizes key demographic information and provides analysis of the

implications for Energize Fresno. Understanding Fresno’s demographic information ensures

Energize Fresno’s cultural sensitivity, local integration, and commitment to community needs. It

is also vital to identifying gaps and opportunities for the program’s outreach components.

Fresno has a relatively young population (Figure 3-1); the largest age group in Fresno, ages 25

to 34, makes up 15 percent of the total population. This age group presumably comprises a

significant portion of the workforce and young families.

16

Figure 3-1 – 2014 Demographic Distribution of Sex and Age

Source: City of Fresno

Fresno consistently has higher levels of unemployment than the rest of California (currently 9

percent vs. 6.3 percent in California as a whole). In 2009, the Local Government sector had the

highest level of employment in the city with 47,800 jobs, and Educational Services had the

lowest proportion of total employment with only 4,400 jobs (Figure 3-2). Geographically, the

greatest estimated number of jobs are located in Downtown Fresno with 31,597 jobs. The

lowest level of employment is located along the Blackstone corridor south of Shaw Ave.

17

Figure 3-2 – 2009-2035 Projected Fresno County Employment Growth


18

Fresno has long been an economically challenged community. Figure 3-3 lists Fresno’s

distribution of poverty in 2013. As seen in the table, 32 percent of the population of Fresno are

classified as either moderately poor, severely poor, or on public assistance. According to the

2015 American Community Survey, Fresno’s median income was $46,949 in 2015, $17,551

lower than the median California household income and $8,826 less than the US median

household income.

Figure 3-3 – 2013 Poverty Distribution


Fresno’s population is racially diverse; Hispanics/Latinos make up nearly 50 percent of the

city’s total population as shown in Figure 3-4, with White at 28.4 percent and Asian at 13.2

percent. Due to Fresno’s multicultural diversity, it is unsurprising that the language distribution

varies greatly among residents. According to Figure 3-5 English is the most common language

in Fresno at 59 percent, Spanish comes in second at 30 percent, with Asian, Indo-European, and

other languages representing the remaining percentages.

19

Figure 3-4 – 2014 Demographic Distribution of Race


20

Figure 3-5 – 2013 Language Distribution


Additionally, California’s Central Valley is one of the fastest growing regions in the state. With a

population of 520,772 in 2016, the City of Fresno has more than doubled in size since 1980 and

is expected to continue growing for decades to come (Figure 3-6). This expansion will place an

increased burden on already aging infrastructure in a city where 78 percent of the housing in

Fresno was built prior to 1990 (Figure 3-7).

21

Figure 3-6 – Population Growth from 1960 to 2016


22

Figure 3-7 – 2013 Housing Stock and Decadal Build


This demographic information portrays a diverse community with great variety in cultural

values that are important to address when developing a program like Energize Fresno. To

respond to a growing population, but also one that has a significant percentage who are in or

near poverty, Energize Fresno should prioritize projects that provide high-quality affordable

housing while not increasing street traffic and congestion. Additionally, with such a significant

older housing stock, projects in Fresno should prioritize energy efficiency upgrades and

retrofits in existing neighborhoods over new construction.

Energize Fresno should also consider job growth and economic development metrics when

evaluating community benefits of potential EOZ projects. Particularly advantageous projects

would offer financing or other mechanisms that reduce upfront costs as much as possible to

yield the largest benefit to the community. Taken further, this demographic profile suggests

that a focus on development with accessible transportation and housing in proximity to

workplaces and amenities would cater to these demographic pressures, while also responding

to a younger population’s desire for more transit-oriented and accessible communities.

In terms of marketing factors, the diversity of cultural backgrounds and languages present in

the Fresno community stresses the importance of having a variety of communication methods

23

available to reach different populations when collecting community input and implementing

projects whose successes depend on broad community participation. Especially with the

prominence of the Spanish language and Hispanic/Latino communities, it is critical that

Energize Fresno engages and coordinates with those cultural community organizations. In

addition, Fresno’s economic profile suggests that project messaging may be more successful if

it emphasizes cost savings ahead of other possible benefits (e.g. energy independence, clean

air).

Resource Consumption Information

In 2015, 60 percent of energy was non-residential and 40 percent was residential. Between 2005

and 2015 Fresno saw a 2.8 percent increase in electricity consumption. The average single-

family home in Fresno consumes 40 percent more electricity than a multi-family home.

According to PG&E data, the most residential electricity use is seen in North, West, and

Southeast edges of Fresno, which correspond to newer homes and more affluent

neighborhoods.

Figure 3-8 shows the natural gas usage for the City of Fresno from 2005 to 2015; total gas

usage for 2015 was 125,823,169 therms. Between 2005 and 2015 Fresno saw a 15.6 percent

decrease in natural gas use. Within the City of Fresno, gas is most commonly used for

residential heating (58 percent) and electricity (36 percent).

24

Figure 3-8 – Overall Natural Gas Use and Change from 2005-2015


25

In July 2013, the City of Fresno consumed 5,679 million gallons of water (Figure 2-2). Between

2013 and 2016 Fresno saw a decrease in water usage of 19.2 percent. According to the

California Energy Commission, water-related electricity use accounts for nearly 20 percent of all

electricity consumption and 30 percent of non-power plant natural gas use in the state of

California.

Figure 3-9 – 2013-2016 City of Fresno Overall Water Consumption Graph


Over the 10-year period between 2005 and 2015, the City of Fresno has decreased its overall

annual energy consumption by 8 percent even with significant population growth. This

potentially signals the community’s adoption of more energy-efficient technologies and

reduced consumption habits; however, with the recession, this reduced use may be tied to

lower economic activity. The majority of electricity consumption in Fresno is non-residential

however, and overall Fresno is seeing an increase in energy demand per capita. As such,

Energize Fresno should emphasize energy efficiency in non-residential buildings while also

innovating new ways to encourage affluent residents to further reduce energy consumption.

Unlike electricity consumption, natural gas consumption is decreasing while population is

increasing, despite widespread penetration of natural gas appliances. This potentially indicates

a movement towards electrification of home heating systems and away from natural gas. If this

is the case, Energize Fresno has the opportunity to encourage increased efficiency in electrical

26

appliances, and the ability to offset electrical consumption through renewable energy

deployment. In contrast, with continued natural gas consumption, the energy is not offset with

increased renewable deployment, making a net zero energy district more difficult.

Fresno has, on average, decreased its water consumption over the past three years. This is

encouraging, as it suggests that increased water consumption is not synonymous with Fresno’s

rapid population growth rate. However, it is also concerning that Fresno saw an over 35 percent

increase in water consumption in 2016, a critical year in the midst of California’s historic

drought. The significant attention being paid to water savings in California and the history of

water consumption increases is a major opportunity for Energize Fresno to capitalize on

existing water saving programs and offer new water efficiency measures, conserving both water

and energy in the process.

Clean Energy, Efficiency, and Renewable Development

Figure 3-10 shows energy and resource conservation measures financed by the Property-

Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) program operating within the City of Fresno. For 2015, the non-

residential total was $695,419 over 5 sites. This work encompassed 40 chillers, 40 lights, 20

solar and 20 roofs. The 2015 Home Energy Renovation Opportunity (HERO) PACE residential

total was $10,212,934 over 1027 sites. This work encompassed 43 solar installations, 18

windows, 13 air conditioners, and 10 roof renovations. Additionally, CaliforniaFIRST PACE

financed 97 residential site improvements at a cost of $8,124,020. Specific measure

breakdowns for CaliforniaFIRST were not available.

Figure 3-10 – 2014-2015 Energy Efficiency Financing Trend


Since Fresno is in Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) territory, the city energy mix reflects that of

PG&E. Figure 3-11 shows the composition of renewable power delivered by PG&E. Renewable

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energy represents 27 percent of total power production, with Solar Photovoltaic (PV) and Wind

generation being the primary sources. PG&E has a significant number of renewable energy

sources and, in part because of the state’s Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS), is expected to

increase its portfolio in the decades to come. The utility also expects to make improvements to

the electric transmission infrastructure in Fresno to accommodate both the increasing demand

for electricity and renewable generation around Fresno (primarily solar PV).

Figure 3-11 – 2014 PG&E Composition of Renewable Power


Privately owned solar PV installations have increased dramatically over the past 10 years.

Figure 3-12 shows the annual number of new, residential solar installations located within the

City of Fresno, and Figure 3-13 shows the annual number of new, non-residential solar

installations over time. At the beginning of 2016, there were 11,416 residential solar

installations (2010 total housing units: 170,495) and 294 commercial solar installations in the

City of Fresno. Based on the current trajectory and increased cost-competitiveness of solar,

there is reason to believe that the number of annual installations will continue to increase.

28

Figure 3-12 – Residential Solar Sites from 2001 to 2015


29

Figure 3-13 – Non-Residential Solar Sites from 2002 to 2015


Energize Fresno could leverage pending energy infrastructure investments in Fresno (e.g. by

deploying a microgrid) in ways that help both PG&E and the city accommodate more renewable

technologies and ensure grid resilience and reliability. Energize Fresno can also take advantage

of PACE activity and residential and non-residential solar sites to supplement regional efforts

and build out Fresno’s efficiency and renewable capacity.

The success of renewable energy deployment to date in Fresno demonstrates a consumer

demand that Energize Fresno can capitalize on. From a marketing perspective, it is easier to get

30

consumers on board with new technologies or treatments if their neighbors have already

participated.

Furthermore, the steady increase in renewables offers the opportunity to increase Fresno’s

consumption of renewable energy by utilizing AEC technology such as battery storage, to

decrease energy costs and flatten loads on the grid.

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CHAPTER 4: Summary of Guiding Conditions

Fresno is a city that has a great diversity of cultures and languages as well as a large disparity

in resident incomes. As the population continues to grow, increased pressures are placed on

the current transportation system, local economy, housing stock, energy infrastructure, and

other existing resources, exacerbating the financial strain on many citizens.

In response, Energize Fresno will prioritize projects that address these pressures, increasing

the community’s energy and water efficiency while streamlining traffic flow, deploying clean

technologies, and creating jobs and economic opportunity in Fresno. Measurable goals should

center on resource conservation and innovative financing options while enhancing mixed-use

development and the smart growth vision set down by local policy. Energize Fresno will

supplement Fresno’s efforts for change by consolidating the selection process of high-quality,

cost-effective city projects that contribute to community prosperity through means of an AEC.

In summary, the preceding chapters suggest the following guiding conditions:

1. Focus Area: Energize Fresno focuses on the EOZ in the Blackstone-Downtown area (E.

Clinton Ave to McKinley Ave, E. Dakota Ave to E. Shields Ave and E. Olive Ave to 180 SB).

This EOZ incorporates all of the preceding local planning initiatives, policies, and goals

to support projects within its boundaries. The EOZ was defined in consultation with the

project team and selected based on a variety of reasons, including but not limited to:

high-density of project activity, diversity of development, and transportation

improvements. In reviewing Fresno’s General Plan and Fresno COG’s SCS, guidelines for

Energize Fresno’s program design have become apparent, directing project efforts

towards energy efficiency and infill development along the Blackstone and Fulton Street

Corridors as well as in the central downtown planning area. “Nodes,” or target points

prioritized for projects within the EOZ, have been defined and encompass existing or

planned transit sites at the intersections of Blackstone/Shields, Blackstone/Weldon,

Blackstone/Olive, along the Fulton Street Corridor, and at the sites for the proposed High

Speed Rail station and South Stadium Area.

2. Project Emphasis: Development of an EOZ provides a chance to increase grid reliability,

reduce costs, and improve economic opportunities. Energize Fresno projects should

appeal to culturally diverse populations within Fresno and should strive to reduce

income disparities for low-income community members. A mix of commercial and

residential projects that engage all community members in the EOZ should be a high

priority. Projects should balance an emphasis on clean energy deployment, resource

savings, and infill development with other important goals such as health, sustainability,

and economic development.

3. Leveraging for Increased Impact: By leveraging community plans and improvements,

Energize Fresno can integrate AEC strategies into current and future projects for

32

increased grid reliability, efficiency, and resource conservation. Additionally, by

furthering PACE and city sustainability efforts to decrease energy usage, Fresno may

enter into a more sustainable energy and resource model, unaffected by potential

burdens brought about by population growth.

4. Community Engagement Principles: Moving forward, Energize Fresno’s community

outreach and marketing strategy needs to be approached from a variety of directions.

Only by appealing to different populations, seeking out underrepresented groups, and

overcoming language barriers will the partnership successfully implement an AEC. What

this means for Energize Fresno is outreach in Spanish and other prominent languages in

the community, coordination with community organizations, and working with

environmental justice organizations and other entities representing disadvantaged

communities.

33

CHAPTER 5: Project Identification & Scoring

This chapter contains a compilation of projects, their details, and an EOZ site map. In order to

create the project list, the Energize Fresno team reached out to departments at the City of

Fresno and requested input on known projects both internal to the city (public) and external

(private). The team also gathered similar fields of information for each of the submitted

projects to help facilitate the project evaluation process by maintaining a consistent level of

project presentation.

The project list is not an exhaustive list, as there are likely to be projects that are unknown to

the Energize Fresno team or that arise during the project process. The Energize Fresno team

will consider and evaluate new projects using similar methods.

Project Identification & Review Methodology

The Sustainable Division worked together with the Energize Fresno team to develop a Project

Detail Template below (Appendix B). The purpose of this template was to maintain consistency

in the information gathered from different sources within the city to allow the team maximum

comparative capability. The template accompanied a department memo (and the Energize

Fresno Fact Sheet) in communications to departments and divisions within the City of Fresno.

City staff compiled the initial list and then built out details in consultation with the project

team.

The Energize Fresno team collected the project information generated by the City of Fresno into

a comprehensive project inventory that initially included 45 projects. Team members added

several additional projects based on known initiatives and project concepts that aligned with

program goals. The project inventory includes both city and private projects with 70 percent

being private projects.

The current project list includes a range of types including new construction, renovation, and

programmatic initiatives such as planning, code improvements, etc. Programs and initiatives

are included in the project list because each of them represents the implementation of an AEC

technology or adoption of an AEC practice that goes above and beyond traditional performance.

Potential project costs range from a few hundred thousand to a billion dollars.

In many cases, there is no known start date (especially for private projects with unknown

funding). Based on the assumption that EPIC Phase I planning activities can identify potential

funding to move some of these projects into development, the projects were assigned a flexible

start date that could coincide with EPIC Phase 2 (after May 2018).

Energize Fresno used initial identified projects and assumptions about the projects (Start Dates,

Type, Cost, Sector, Alignment with 2035 General Plan, Potential Technology and Potential

Energy Use Intensity) to develop and refine the Phase I Pre-Filter (described in Chapter 1). From

34

this process, 29 projects emerged and are described in Table 5-1 below. At this time, it is too

early in the process to determine the types of AEC technologies that would be deployed with

each project.

35

Figure 5-1 – Projects After Phase I Pre-Filter Stage 1 Scoring

Project Number

Project Category Project/Program Description Project Timeline Pre-Filter

Score

3 New Construction 200 room hotel or 150 residential units overlooking sports facility on current surface parking lot with structured parking

TBD 61

4 Adaptive Reuse Adaptive reuse into office / restaurant with rooftop dining overlooking a sports facility

TBD 74

5 Adaptive Reuse Adaptive reuse into office/institutional uses with potential ground floor retail TBD 74

15-16 Rehab/New Construction

New buildings, upgrade/update structures in and around an activity center, opportunity for energy efficiency and smart grid technology.

2016-2020 141

17 Mixed Use 5-story mixed-use building with 51 units of mixed-income rental housing and 10,000 sf of retail/office space on ground floor. Building is proposed to include rooftop solar; may exceed CalGreen Title 24 standards or achieve LEED certified.

May 2017 groundbreaking,

complete in May 2018 144

18 Planning Project

Master Plan focused on the area within roughly a quarter-mile of the future Fresno HSR Station. Mainly focuses on optimal development scenarios, market study, financing and implementation strategies. Will likely include a significant energy efficiency component.

Start in late 2014, completed in fall 2016

135

19 Planning Neighborhood approach to Identify potential business locations within the project zone to invest in energy and resource conservation.

Planning due to be complete by Q3 or

2017 126

20 Adaptive Reuse Master-planned, 2.5 million square foot campus for technology and innovation education in the South Stadium Area (Chukchansi Park) as well as a light rail system spanning Fresno County.

In the next few years 112

21 Rehab Rehab of historic 6 story structure into 75 mixed income residential units, potential inclusion of energy efficiency measures, and renewables.

TBD 111

22 Rehab Reconstruction and revitalization of infrastructures located within the mall. This includes more food courts, moving offices upstairs, and making infrastructure energy efficient.

TBD 120

23 New Construction 5 to 8 story mixed use building with hotel, apartments/condos over ground floor retail, wrapped around shared HSR/City parking structure

TBD 83

24 Rehab Rehab of 4 story historic building to include 3 stories of residential lofts over retail/restaurant space. Potentially funding energy efficiency and AEC components through GGRF.

TBD 87

25 New Construction 81 units and 8,000sf of commercial, infill, compact development, lower transportation footprint.

Fall of 2017 86

36

26 A 180,000-square foot pediatric building and increase bed space by one-third at a hospital. Opportunity for energy efficiency implementations, such as EV charging in parking lots.

Late 2018 76

27 Transit Hub Intermodal transit center that will be a transfer hub for regional transit systems (including an electric shuttle to downtown Amtrak) to HSR

Start 2017-2025 100

28 Rehab Rehab of 10 story historic as a potential office or boutique hotel with ground floor retail

TBD 51

29 Rehab Rehab of historic 9 story building with existing office and ground floor retail TBD 51

30 New Construction 5 story building, 54 residential units, 18,364 sf retail, 3,672 sf office, 210 stall parking structure

TBD 65

31 New Construction 5 story apartments/condos over retail, infill, energy efficiency potential. TBD 64

32 New Construction 70-unit mixed-use development over roughly 10,000 square feet of retail/office space

TBD 74

33 Street Improvement Improving H Street next to HSR station as a multimodal corridor with bike lane Start 2017-2025 53

34 New Construction 5 story building, 104 residential units, 6908 sf retail, 574 stall parking structure TBD 73

35 Adaptive Reuse Adaptive reuse of existing warehouse into office space, surface parking could be developed with HSR parking structure and or residential/retail

TBD 73

36 Planning Project Community plan covering downtown and surrounding neighborhoods to SW and SE. Chapters cover energy efficiency and resource savings through efficient land use patterns, transit, active transportation options, and green infrastructure

TBD 47

37 Rehab Rehab of existing 1,284-seat historic building with some second-floor office space TBD 66

38 New Construction 8-unit townhome development, infill and energy efficiency opportunities. TBD 71

39 Program WECAN offers rebates (or upfront installation costs) for turf replacement, efficient irrigation systems, and greywater irrigation systems for residential, commercial, and institutional buildings.

2015 86

40 New Park New park in Chinatown, very likely to include storm water management and green infrastructure

Start 2017-2025 55

41 Tulare Street Improvement

Improving Tulare Street as a multimodal corridor with a protected bike lane Start 2017-2025 55

Projects 3, 4, 5, and 14-15 (Rehab and New Construction Projects) are from the final Energize Fresno project portfolio.

Source: The Local Government Commission

37

The projects represent a mixture of public works, planning initiatives, private projects, and

energy and water efficiency initiatives. Geographically the projects are located primarily in the

downtown section of the EOZ, demonstrating the downtown-centric development that was

planned before the initiation of the BRT corridor along Blackstone.

Additionally, most of the projects require significant capital expenditure and are focused on

commercial and municipal development. There are mixed developments planned, and some of

the programs actively target residential homes, however these are largely outweighed by the

commercial projects.

The two programs included in the project list are operational, funded programs currently active

in Fresno. However, more programs are needed to address the “smaller” needs of businesses

and residences that don’t warrant their own project (e.g. weatherization of an individual

building, appliance rebates, and lighting upgrades).

Given apparent gaps in this current list, Energize Fresno should conduct additional outreach to

find projects that are located in different sections of the EOZ, projects of varying size and

scope, and projects that address the needs of more of the disadvantaged community

neighborhoods and residents to develop a robust Master Community Plan that responds to the

needs of Fresno across the entire EOZ.

38

Figure 5-2 – Map of Projects within the EOZ


39

CHAPTER 6: Conclusions

This report first summarizes local planning goals and initiatives that demonstrate the vision of

local planners and policymakers in the City of Fresno, then draws applicable sections out in

order to inform the development of the program. As a whole, the planning documents focus on

encouraging investment in downtown and along the major Blackstone and Fulton Street

arteries. In order to align with these priority areas, Energize Fresno selected the Blackstone-

Downtown area as the EOZ. The team also determined the area nodes based on planned BRT

and transit stops and has placed priority on infill and mixed-use development as well as

increasing the efficiency of existing buildings to coordinate with the redevelopment plans.

Transit access is also to be made convenient, appealing, and available to all residents.

Even with significant population growth, energy usage in Fresno has decreased, which is

promising. However, it is important to note that electricity consumption is increasing while

natural gas consumption is decreasing. Building off of the momentum of solar installations

throughout the city, Energize Fresno will advance AEC components in the new utility upgrades

to further reduce costs, provide for increasing renewable energy sources, and build up the

capacity of the grid. Additionally, Fresno has been on the right track in reducing water usage as

well (despite an increase in consumption in 2016), and Energize Fresno can continue those

efforts by connecting projects to water-efficiency and drought resistance programs.

Moving forward, the Energize Fresno team should put extensive time and research into

identifying viable financing solutions that encourage people to reduce their energy

consumption and costs, with cost savings emphasized in marketing materials. Furthermore,

due to the great cultural and language diversity in Fresno, the team must utilize multiple

avenues of communication to ensure minority and low-income populations are represented in

discussions regarding community issues and in identifying community needs. This includes

outreach in multiple languages, outreach to underserved communities, as well as a focus on

engaging and including low-income communities that would otherwise not be able to

participate.

In focusing revitalization efforts and resource savings in the heart of Fresno and along major

transportation corridors, the Energize Fresno team hopes its endeavors will carry forth

throughout the city and provide a model for clean energy deployment and reliability in the San

Joaquin Valley region.

To address these concerns and opportunities, Energize Fresno is developing a platform to

evaluate projects based on their cost-effectiveness and ability to conserve resources and

provide other community benefits. Energize Fresno will match projects that pass the

preliminary filter and are selected for deployment with funding sources as well as community

organizations to help market, manage project components, and ensure that projects are well-

suited to be part of the EOZ and address Fresno’s needs. Given the gaps in the current list of

40

projects however, Energize Fresno should conduct additional outreach to find projects of

varying size and scope and projects that address the needs of disadvantaged community

neighborhoods and residents to develop an effective Master Community Plan that

acknowledges the needs of all of the different sections across the entire EOZ. There should be

an additional focus on gathering more programmatic approaches that can address “minor”

improvements across the EOZ in a single pass, while potentially seeing significant resource

savings; for example, an attic insulation program that can decrease energy consumption by 10-

20 percent at a low-cost point.

In order to address the gaps in project identification, and in recognition that projects must

come from the community and reflect community priorities, Energize Fresno has engaged a

local TAC. The TAC is being used to solicit projects, ensure projects target communities

effectively, address real problems, and are the most effective use of limited resources.

41

GLOSSARY

Term Definition

AEC Advanced Energy Community

BRT Bus Rapid Transit

COG Council of Governments

EOZ Energy Opportunity Zone

EPIC Electric Program Investment Charge

EVSE Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment

GHG Greenhouse Gas

HERO Home Energy Renovation Opportunity

HSR High Speed Rail

HSRA High Speed Rail Authority

PACE Property-Assessed Clean Energy

PEV Plug-in Electric Vehicle

PG&E Pacific Gas & Electric (utility)

PV Photovoltaic

RPS Renewable Portfolio Standard

RTP Regional Transportation Plan

SCS Sustainable Communities Strategy

TAC Technical Advisory Committee

42

APPENDIX A. CITY OF FRESNO GENERAL PLAN 17

PRIORITIES

1. Increase opportunity, economic development, business and job creation.

Use urban form, land use, and Development Code policies to streamline permit approval,

promote local educational excellence and workforce relevance, significantly increase business

development and expansion, retain and attract talented people, create jobs and sustained

economic growth, strategically locate employment lands and facilities, and avoid over-

saturation of a single type of housing, retail or employment.

2. Support a successful and competitive Downtown.

Emphasize infill development and a revitalized central core area as the primary activity

center for Fresno and the region by locating substantial growth in the Downtown, and along

the corridors leading to the Downtown. Use vision-based policies in a development code

specific to the Downtown, when adopted, to ensure the creation of a unique sense of place in

the central core.

3. Emphasize conservation, successful adaptation to climate and changing resource conditions,

and performance effectiveness in the use of energy, water, land, buildings, natural resources,

and fiscal resources required for the long-term sustainability of Fresno.

4. Emphasize achieving healthy air quality and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.

5. Support agriculture and food production as an integral industry.

Emphasize the economic and cultural role of Fresno as a center of agriculture and food

production systems by conserving farmland through a focus on developing vacant and

underutilized land within the established Sphere of Influence of the City, limiting any further

urban boundary expansion, and developing urban agriculture within the city and designated

growth areas.

6. Protect, preserve, and enhance natural, historic, and cultural resources.

Emphasize the continued protection of important natural, historic and cultural resources in

the future development of Fresno. This includes both designated historic structures and

neighborhoods, but also “urban artifacts” and neighborhoods that create the character of

Fresno.

7. Provide for a diversity of districts, neighborhoods, housing types (including affordable

housing), residential densities, job opportunities, recreation, open space, and educational

venues that appeal to a broad range of people throughout the city.

8. Develop Complete Neighborhoods and districts with an efficient and diverse mix of

residential densities, building types, and affordability which are designed to be healthy,

attractive, and centered by schools, parks, and public and commercial services to provide a

sense of place and that provide as many services as possible within walking distance.

43

Intentionally plan for Complete Neighborhoods as an outcome and not a collection of

subdivisions; which do not result in Complete Neighborhoods.

9. Promote a city of healthy communities and improve quality of life in established

neighborhoods.

Emphasize supporting established neighborhoods in Fresno with safe, well maintained, and

accessible streets, public utilities, education and job training, proximity to jobs, retail services,

health care, affordable housing, youth development opportunities, open space and parks,

transportation options, and opportunities for home grown businesses.

10. Emphasize increased land use intensity and mixed-use development at densities supportive

of greater use of transit in Fresno.

Greater densities can be achieved through encouragement, infrastructure and incentives for

infill and revitalization along major corridors and in Activity Centers.

11. Emphasize and plan for all modes of travel on local and Major Streets in Fresno.

Facilitate travel by walking, biking, transit, and motor vehicle with interconnected and linked

neighborhoods, districts, major campuses and public facilities, shopping centers and other

service centers, and regional transportation such as air, rail, bus and highways.

12. Resolve existing public infrastructure and service deficiencies, make full use of existing

infrastructure, and invest in improvements to increase competitiveness and promote

economic growth.

Emphasize the fair and necessary costs of maintaining sustainable water, sewer, streets, and

other public infrastructure and service systems in rates, fees, financing and public investments

to implement the General Plan. Adequately address accumulated deferred maintenance, aging

infrastructure, and risks to service continuity, desired standards of service to meet quality-of-

life goals, and required infrastructure to support growth, economic competitiveness and

business development.

13. Emphasize the city as a role model for good growth management planning, efficient

processing and permit streamlining, effective urban development policies, environmental

quality, and a strong economy. Work collaboratively with other jurisdictions and institutions

to further these values throughout the region.

Positively influence the same attributes in other jurisdictions of the San Joaquin Valley—and

thus the potential for regional sustainability—and improve the standing and credibility of the

City to pursue appropriate State, LAFCO, and other regional policies that would curb sprawl

and prevent new unincorporated community development which compete with and threaten

the success of sustainable policies and development practices in Fresno.

14. Provide a network of well-maintained parks, open spaces, athletic facilities, and walking and

biking trails connecting the city’s districts and neighborhoods to attract and retain a broad

range of individuals, benefit the health of residents, and provide the level of public

44

amenities required to encourage and support development of higher density urban living

and transit use.

15. Improve Fresno's visual image and enhance its form and function through urban design

strategies and effective maintenance.

16. Protect and improve public health and safety.

17. Recognize, respect, and plan for Fresno's cultural, social, and ethnic diversity, and foster an

informed and engaged citizenry.

Emphasize shared community values and genuine engagement with and across different

neighborhoods, communities, institutions, businesses and sectors to solve difficult problems

and achieve shared goals for the success of Fresno and all its residents.

45

APPENDIX B. CITY OF FRESNO PROJECT SOLICITATION

DOCUMENT


Project Title

Is this project sensative/confidential

If project is sensative and/or

confidential please provide a brief

explanation

Please provide brief project/program

description or planned policy change.

Please include known energy or other

resource saving technologies, or

practies that will be utilized.

If there is a budget for this project and

you can list it, please provide. Include

sources of funding if known or planned

for.

Please provide project address or

approximate location

What sector of the community will this

project affect? (Residential,

Commercial, Industrial, All)

What is the anticipated start or

completion year of this project? Or is

this project in concept?

Who would be the person we could

contact who is most informed on the

project planning?

POTENTIAL PROJECT WITHIN ICRM (blackstone corridor and downtown) AREA

46

APPENDIX C. ENERGIZE FRESNO PHASE I PRE-FILTER

Energize Fresno Phase I Pre-Filter

Energize Fresno is a partnership between the Local Government Commission, the City of Fresno, Fresno Metro Ministry, CALSTART, and Tierra Resource Consultants, funded by the California Energy Commission to accelerate the deployment of Advanced Energy Communities. In support of this effort, we are seeking to identify potential projects that are candidates for development under the program. In order to streamline identification of projects with strong potential, we have created a “pre-filter” tool to quickly and easily assess projects at a high level.

The pre-filter is utilized as projects are found and is conducted in two phases. This document represents the first phase of that filtering process and is meant to be used for any project that anyone wants us to consider. This “Phase I Pre-Filter” is a tool to highlight very broad characteristics of potential projects prior to passing them to the project team for detailed analysis, and ultimately consideration for development through the Energize Fresno program.

Phase I Pre-Filter The Phase I Pre-Filter is a high-level rapid assessment tool for identifying elements of a given project that suggest it warrants further consideration, or should instead be set aside. This is not meant to be a totally inclusive quantitative methodology, but will rather provide a less subjective evaluation. Projects are evaluated on the merits listed below.

The pre-filter is separated into two main categories: 1.) Critical Path and 2.) Semi-Critical Path and Added Benefits/Support. The first section must earn a passing grade in order to continue on to the second section.

We want to hear from you As invested community members, we want your input and suggestions to help make Energize Fresno a success.

Please use the Phase I Pre-Filter to suggest projects, initiatives, partner organizations, and geographic areas that you think align with the Energize Fresno model and meet the basic project criteria below.

If you have comments, questions, or suggestions, please contact the Energize Fresno team or visit the Energize Fresno website: www.lgc.org/energize-fresno.

Neil Matouka Project Manager, LGC [email protected] (916) 448-1198 x303

Keith Bergthold Executive Director, FMM [email protected] (559) 485-1416 x101

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1v3sKlfZ9qh2DuyhzwV_90jLduELl03wEq2NiKQweb_Q/edit?usp=sharing

http://www.lgc.org/energize-fresno

mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

47

Project Title: _________________________________________

Brief Project Description: _________________________________________

_________________________________________

Project Location: _________________________________________

1. Anticipated build schedule: a. Earliest Potential Start

i. ◯ Early-Mid 2017 (1)

ii. ◯ Late 2017 (2)

iii. ◯ 2018 - 2019 (3)

iv. ◯ 2020-2022 (2)

v. ◯ 2023+ (1)

b. Expected Duration

i. ◯ 0 - 2 years (3)

ii. ◯ 2 - 4 years (2)

iii. ◯ 4+ years (1)

2. Are there “Advanced Energy Community” components to this project? (0) (5) (10)

a. Grid reliability and resiliency [ ◯ No | ◯ Maybe | ◯ Yes ]

b. Energy savings [ ◯ No | ◯ Maybe | ◯ Yes ]

c. Renewable energy [ ◯ No | ◯ Maybe | ◯ Yes ]

d. Other ZNE or smart grid ____________ [ ◯ No | ◯ Maybe | ◯ Yes ]

3. Are there non-energy resource savings opportunities for this project? (0) (2) (5)

a. Water [ ◯ No | ◯ Maybe | ◯ Yes ]

b. Waste [ ◯ No | ◯ Maybe | ◯ Yes ]

c. Air Quality [ ◯ No | ◯ Maybe | ◯ Yes ]

d. Transportation [ ◯ No | ◯ Maybe | ◯ Yes ]

e. Other __________________________ [ ◯ No | ◯ Maybe | ◯ Yes ]

Must pass Questions 1 - 3 with a minimum cumulative score of 20 points.

4. Does the project have strong political momentum or backing from elected officials?

a. ◯ Yes (10)

b. ◯ No (0)

If yes, briefly describe ___________________

48

5. Will the project be a keystone project (e.g. becomes an anchor around which other projects will develop)?

a. ◯ Yes (10)

b. ◯ No (0)

If yes, briefly describe ___________________

6. Will the project be in one of the Energy Opportunity Zone Nodes?

a. ◯ Yes (5)

i. ❐ Blackstone/Shields

ii. ❐ Blackstone/Weldon

iii. ❐ Blackstone/Olive

iv. ❐ High Speed Rail Station

v. ❐ Fulton Street Corridor

vi. ❐ South Stadium Area

b. ◯ No (0)

7. Does the project align with key public policies or initiatives? (0) (5) (10)

Local [ ◯ No | ◯ Maybe | ◯ Yes ]

State [ ◯ No | ◯ Maybe | ◯ Yes ]

If Yes or Maybe, please describe ______________________________________ 8. Are there strongly engaged/motivated community stakeholders?

(0) (5) (10) Community Groups [ ◯ No | ◯ Maybe | ◯ Yes ]

Business Groups [ ◯ No | ◯ Maybe | ◯ Yes ]

If Yes or Maybe, please describe ______________________________________

9. Are there community co-benefits? (0) (5) (10)

Local job creation potential [ ◯ No | ◯ Maybe | ◯ Yes ]

Focus on disadvantaged neighborhoods [ ◯ No | ◯ Maybe | ◯ Yes ]

Other _____________________________ [ ◯ No | ◯ Maybe | ◯ Yes ]

49

APPENDIX D. LOCAL TECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE

AGENDA & PARTICIPANT LIST

Energize Fresno

Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) Meeting

Tuesday - October 18, 2016 – 1:00 – 3:00 PM

Parc Grove Learning Center - Just South of Large Conference Center Building 2674 E. Clinton Ave., Fresno, CA 93703

Draft Agenda

1. Brief Overview of Energize Fresno & Goals of the Meeting – 5 min 2. Objectives for TAC Members - 5 min

a. Give feedback on efficacy and feasibility of project strategy b. Give feedback on project pipeline and prospective additional projects c. Give feedback on financing and funding platform d. Provide insight into initiatives, constituents, opportunities and constraints in

Fresno and CA e. Connect Energize Fresno with the relationships and knowledge needed for

success 3. TAC Member and Energize Fresno Team Members Self-Introductions - 20 min 4. Detailed Overview: What is Energize Fresno? Where is it going? - 20 min 5. Project Pipeline - 40 min 6. Project Buildout Walkthrough - 20 min 7. Moving Forward, Next Steps, Next Meeting Date - 10 min 8. Adjourn

50

Local Technical Advisory Committee Participant List

Organization Local Technical Advisory

Committee Member

Private Business, Development, and Finance Sector

Fresno Chamber of Commerce Al Solis

San Joaquin Valley Manufacturing Alliance Mike Betts

BITWISE Industries Jake Soberal

Erganian Family Properties Richard Erganian

Council of Infill Builders Curt Johansen

Caglia Environmental Alan Davis

CaliforniaFIRST Tom Cotter

Manchester Shopping Center Moe Bagunu

Noyan-Frazier Properties Mehmet Noyan

Fresno First Bank Steve Miller

Lance-Kashian Isaac Gonzalez, Nathan Fries

The Penstar Group Scott Anderson

Public Agencies and Key Institutions

Fresno COG Peggy Arnest

City of Fresno Jose Gonzales

San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District (SJVAPCD)

Tom Jordan

Fresno Housing Authority Dave Brenner

Office of Community & Economic Development at Fresno State (OCED)

Ismael Herrera

Community Regional Medical Center (CRMC) Rachel Audino

Fresno Unified School District (FUSD) Frank DiLiddo

Energy Sector

PG&E Ann Kloose, Isaias Franco

Fresno EOC Vong Mouanoutoua, JD; Brian Angus

HERO (Renovate America) Robert Bendorf, Josh Brock

Solar Negotiators Chris Moran

The San Joaquin Valley Electric Vehicle Partnership (SJVEVP)

Linda Urata

Community Development

Better Blackstone CDC Keith Bergthold

Lowell CDC Esther Delahay

Chinatown Revitalization Inc. Of Fresno Kathy Omachi

GRID Alternatives Tom Esqueda

Habitat for Humanity Matthew Grundy


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