Fresno stands at a familiar crossroads. The Southeast Development Area (SEDA) plan promises housing, jobs, infrastructure and long-overdue investment in a region that has historically been underserved. Many of its stated goals are well-intentioned and reflect real needs.
However, following the most recent Fresno City Council on Dec. 18 as well as a close, section-by-section review of the SEDA Plan, one critical element remains missing: an enforceable system that keeps residents meaningfully involved after the plan is approved.
This is not a theoretical concern. Many residents do not realize that the environmental review process itself confirms this gap. The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) requires the disclosure of the environmental effects of proposed projects, which were presented. Yet, in the FINAL Environmental Impact Report (pending Fresno City Council approval), numerous public comments raising concerns about equity, socioeconomic impacts, fiscal impacts, community benefits and accountability were acknowledged but set aside as “non-CEQA issues.”…