Fresno's Expecting ... a Population Explosion

Fresno mayor, Jim Patterson, unveiled a 20-year general plan aimed ataccomodating the city's estimated increase in population by approximately300,000 people. With one of the highest birth rates in the country, Fresnoexpects to grow to 900,000 people by 2020. The mayor's plan involves focusingnew development to a 140 square mile area currently controlled by the city. Residents of the area are upset at the change the development will bring,transforming the land from its current quiet, almost rural status to a morecitified atmosphere. But both the mayor and the city council, are determinednot to change city lines on growth and the plan is an attempt to reduce sprawland save farmland.