December 5, 2025 — The City of Clovis continued its public outreach on newly mandated higher-density housing requirements during an informational meeting Thursday evening at City Hall, drawing a packed room of concerned residents and property owners.
The meeting was part of the city’s ongoing effort to explain the implications of a recent court order requiring Clovis to create a plan for roughly 1,300 higher-density housing units, ranging from apartments to condos and townhomes, following a landmark lawsuit filed by housing advocate Dez Martinez. The order compels the city to identify rezoning opportunities for these units, with the goal of distributing them across Clovis rather than concentrating them in one area.
City officials have already identified 20 potential sites that could be rezoned to meet the density requirements. Planning staff emphasized that the mandate is centered on density rather than affordability, though higher-density development often results in more affordable options. Developers will retain flexibility in choosing whether their projects are market-rate or affordable.
Residents attending Thursday’s meeting raised concerns about traffic congestion, infrastructure capacity, and public safety, particularly in neighborhoods adjacent to the proposed sites. Many expressed unease about whether police, roads, and public utilities could keep pace with new development. Others questioned the overall spacing of the proposed sites and how the projects might impact the character of existing neighborhoods.
Some attendees also voiced frustration about whether community feedback would influence the final plan. City staff assured residents that comments collected at the meeting would be forwarded to the Planning Commission for review.
The city plans to present gathered input to the commission in February. Two additional informational meetings are scheduled for December 11 and 16 before the City Council takes up the issue in the spring.
The underlying lawsuit that led to the mandate was initiated by Martinez, who brought the case after struggling to find safe, stable, and affordable housing in Clovis. Her experience, ranging from homelessness to unsafe rental conditions, helped shape the court’s decision that the city must develop a plan ensuring access to housing for a broader range of residents, including seniors, people with disabilities, and working families affected by rising rents.
Martinez and other advocates argue that affordable housing serves many different segments of the community and that public misconceptions often overshadow the reality of who needs these units. While some residents worry about potential impacts on property values or neighborhood character, advocates urge the community to consider the broader need for housing diversity across the city.
City officials will continue discussions at the next City Council meeting on Thursday, where the mandated plan and the 20 proposed rezoning sites are expected to be part of the agenda.