SEDA finance plan released, Fresno councilmember joins opposition
Fresno Councilmember Brandon Vang announced his opposition to the $4 billion Southeast Development Area (SEDA) project, reflecting constituent and Sanger Unified School District concerns. Amid discussions about SEDA's financial plan, Councilmember Nick Richardson proposed a city-wide ban on data centers to prevent them from filling infrastructure funding gaps. This proposed ban, supported by Mayor Dyer, is now being drafted by planning staff.
Mayor Jerry Dyer's ambitious $4 billion Southeast Development Area (SEDA) project in southeast Fresno faces increasing opposition, jeopardizing its approval by the Fresno City Council. Councilmember Brandon Vang, representing the proposed development area, announced his opposition to SEDA, citing strong constituent sentiment and formal opposition from the Sanger Unified School District due to concerns about advanced industrial manufacturing near schools.
During a city council meeting, discussions around SEDA's first-phase financial plan, which includes an $86 million loan for a sewer pipe to be paid by city residents, raised skepticism among council members regarding projected housing density and sales prices. Councilmember Miguel Arias previously suggested that tech companies might use SEDA's "Flexible Research and Development" zoning to build data centers to cover infrastructure shortfalls, as data centers could be allowed with a special determination from the city's planning director.
In response to this speculation, Councilmember Nick Richardson proposed a city-wide data center ban to ensure SEDA discussions focus solely on the original development plan. Mayor Dyer expressed support for the ban, and city planning staff are now drafting the language. The proposed ban will go through the airport and planning commissions before a city council vote, likely early next year, while the next SEDA hearing remains unscheduled.