The Tulare City Council has approved the annexation, rezoning, and subdivision of approximately 140 acres of agricultural land in East Tulare to make way for a 556-lot single-family housing development proposed by San Joaquin Valley Homes.
The site is located at the southeast corner of Prosperity Avenue and Morrison Street, currently outside city limits but within the Urban Development Boundary. The council’s approval includes a pre-zoning designation of R-1-5 (Single-Family Residential, 5,000 sq. ft. minimum lot size) for approximately 134.85 acres, and a Rural Residential designation for a 5.47-acre remainder parcel. These zoning designations will take effect upon formal annexation.
The approved action, listed as Zone Amendment No. 754, follows the council’s earlier decision on April 1 to pass the ordinance to print. At the April 15 meeting, the council adopted Ordinance 2025-03, finalizing the zoning approval for the project.
Key Project Details
According to city planning staff, the development will include:
- 556 single-family homes on minimum 5,000 sq. ft. lots
- A 5.47-acre rural parcel that remains outside the core development area
- Entry access from two new intersections on Morrison Street and two on Prosperity Avenue
- Internal neighborhood streets designed to city standards
The development application was submitted prior to the city’s recent comprehensive zoning update, which eliminated the R-1-5 designation in favor of R-1-4 (4,000 sq. ft. minimum). Because of this timing, the project was allowed to proceed with the 5,000 sq. ft. minimum standard, although the city's zoning map will reflect it as R-1-4 upon annexation.
Council Discussion and Public Comment
During the public hearing, resident Allison Schott raised concerns about the ability of existing residents on Lois Lane—located north of the site—to access their homes safely, especially when traveling eastbound on Prosperity Avenue. She also asked where mailboxes for existing residents would be relocated.
City Engineer Michael Miller responded that a raised median would maintain access to Lois Lane and that mailbox placement is determined by the United States Postal Service, not the City of Tulare.
Councilmember Jose Sigala inquired about the planned park space within the development and whether it would include usable amenities like play equipment. Community Development Director Mario Anaya clarified that park design details would be reviewed by the City’s parks staff during the design phase to ensure compliance with city standards.
The council ultimately voted 4–0 to approve the development (Mayor Isherwood was absent).
What Happens Next?
Before construction can begin, the City must complete the formal annexation process through the Tulare County Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO). Once the property is annexed, the zoning will take effect, and the developer can begin infrastructure planning and subdivision improvements.
No specific construction timeline was discussed at the meeting, though approvals such as this typically precede grading and improvement work by several months.
Why This Matters
This approval represents one of the largest single-family developments proposed in Tulare in recent years. It comes amid ongoing regional discussions around housing supply, land use, and preserving agriculture.
While the project converts farmland to urban use, it is consistent with the city’s general plan designations and growth expectations. With over 500 new homes planned, the project is expected to help ease housing demand and bring new infrastructure improvements to the east side of the city.
More details will become available as the project moves through the final stages of annexation and subdivision approval.
