CITY OF FRESNO
CATEGORICAL EXEMPTION
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT APPLICATION NO. P21-04749
FOR PUBLIC WORKS PROJECT NO. PW00917
THE PROJECT DESCRIBED HEREIN IS DETERMINED TO BE CATEGORICALLY
EXEMPT FROM THE PREPARATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL DOCUMENTS
PURSUANT TO ARTICLE 19 OF THE STATE CEQA GUIDELINES.
APPLICANT: Viridiana Llanos
Department of Public Works
City of Fresno
2600 Fresno Street
Fresno, CA 93721
PROJECT LOCATION: Intersection of W. Sierra and N. West Avenues 1792 W. Sierra Avenue T/S (Traffic Signal Address)
APN: 407-471-08T (±17,259 ft2)
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: This project is being funded by Local SB1. Right-of-way acquisition of ±17,259 ft2 at the northeast corner of W. Sierra and N. West Avenues, with the installation of two left turn lanes along W. Sierra Avenue within the existing roadway and modification of the existing traffic signal; including crosswalks, camera detection zone, accessible pedestrian equipment (including the installation of ADA curb ramps), signage, striping, concrete median island, and street lights. The project also proposes to relocate and/or adjust all water meter boxes, electrical boxes, and backflow prevention devices affected by the project.
This project is exempt under Section 15301/Class 1 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines.
Under Section 15301/Class 1, the proposed projects are exempt from CEQA requirements when the projects consist of the operation, repair, maintenance, permitting, leasing, licensing, or minor alteration of existing public or private structures, facilities, mechanical equipment, or topographical features, involving negligible or no expansion of existing or former use. Examples include but are not limited to:
(b) Existing facilities of both investor and publicly-owned utilities used to provide electric power, natural gas, sewerage, or other public utility services; (c) Existing highways and streets, sidewalks, gutters, bicycle and pedestrian trails, and similar facilities (this includes road grading for the purpose of public safety, and other alterations such as the addition of bicycle facilities, including but not limited to bicycle parking, bicycle-share facilities and bicycle lanes, transit improvements such as bus lanes, pedestrian crossings, street trees, and other similar alterations that do not create additional automobile lanes).
As described by subsection (b), this project will make minor alterations to the existing utility lines and devices which may be affected by the primary focus of the project: the intersection improvements. As described by subsection (c), this project will make improvements to traffic flow and accessibility to achieve a higher level of public and pedestrian safety. The street improvements—as listed in the project description—involve negligible or no expansion of the intersection. The addition of two left turn lanes will not expand the width of the roadway; the lanes will be created within the existing roadway by additional paint striping.
None of the exceptions to Categorical Exemptions set forth in the CEQA Guidelines, Section 15300.2 apply to this project. Furthermore, the project area is not environmentally sensitive, and the proposed project is not expected to have a significant effect on the environment. Therefore, the categorical exemption—as noted above—has been prepared for the project.
Date: September 24, 2021
Prepared By: Steven Martinez - Planner I
Submitted By: Ralph Kachadourian
Ralph Kachadourian
Supervising Planner
Planning and Development Dept.
(559) 621-8172