Chaffee Zoo lease expands by 9.67 acres on West Belmont Avenue

The city expanded the Chaffee Zoo lease boundary by 9.67 acres along West Belmont Avenue, bringing the total leased area to 50.62 acres. The City Council approved the expansion on Nov. 5, 2026, with six votes in favor and one member absent.

Approve Second Amendment to the Lease Agreement with Fresno’s Chaffee Zoo Corporation to increase the current boundary for the construction, maintenance and operation of a surface parking facility adjacent to the proposed new zoo entrance within Roeding Park, increase the lease payment from $1 to $247,752 per year, and extend the lease term by 5 years to expire on January 1, 2066 (Council District 3)

Nov 5, 2026ID 26-1250: Approve Second Amendment to the Lease Agreement with Fresno’s Chaffee Zoo Corporation to increase the current boundary for the construction, maintenance and operation of a surface parking facility adjacent to the proposed new zoo entrance within Roeding Park, increase the lease payment from $1 to $247,752 per year, and extend the lease term by 5 years to expire on January 1, 2066 (Council District 3)Source documentPDF 1PDF 2PDF 3