Dear District 3 Residents,

I want to take a moment to update and thank our residents of District 3 for the engagement and input as the city takes the next steps in honoring the voter-approved establishment of retail cannabis in Fresno.

We asked for your feedback and received more than 150 emails, calls, comments and in-person input on the City Manager’s preliminary award of two proposed locations in Tower District within District 3.

Today the City Council approved my recommendation to deny the City Manager’s preliminary award of the 335 W. Olive Avenue and 1220 E. Olive Avenue locations.

Both of these locations were opposed by hundreds of neighbors based on their proximity to schools, parks and community centers, and because they share a fence line with residential neighborhoods.

This action is consistent with this Council’s past action to invest millions of dollars in our Tower District and older neighborhood and parks, while also opposing saturation of controlled substances such as alcohol licenses near schools, parks and residential neighborhoods.

The City Manager’s Office now has the discretion to select two other applicants within District 3 for the community’s consideration.

Our office will keep you updated on this matter and again request that you stay engaged and provide us your input prior to a final award.

Thank you again for your partnership as we rebuild our community together.

Sincerely,

Miguel Angel Arias
Councilmember, District 3