CITY OF FRESNO
CATEGORICAL EXEMPTION
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT NO. EA-PW-00944
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: City of Fresno
2600 Fresno Street
Fresno, CA 93721
PROJECT LOCATION:
The intersection of West Clinton Avenue and North Valentine Avenue to approximately 500' north, 500' east, 500' south and 1,000' west of the intersection. (Council District 3)
PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
The City of Fresno, Public Works Department, is proposing to, install full intersection improvements (traffic signal poles, conduits, pull boxes, ADA ramps, storm drain inlets, vehicle detection loops, minor asphalt paving, and minor striping changes) and to install approximately 1,000’ of storm drain pipe at this location.
The proposed project will acquire a total of approximately 10,000 square feet of land from the corners of the intersection. The proposed project area is approximately 1.5 acres.
This project is exempt under Section 15301/Class 1 (Existing Facilities), Section 15303/Class 3 (New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures) and Section 15304/Class 4 (Minor Alterations to Land) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines as follows:
EXPLANATION:
Section 15301 (Class 1/Existing Facilities) of the CEQA Guidelines exempts, from the provisions of CEQA, project consisting 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 use. The key consideration is whether the project involves negligible or no expansion of existing or former use. Examples include but are not limited to:
existing highways and streets, sidewalks, and similar facilities (this includes road grading fo r the purpose of public safety), and ot her alterations such as bus lanes, pedestrian crossings, street trees, and other similar alterations that do not create additional automobile lanes. The proposed project will repair the road by repaving the intersection, installing a traffic signal with pr otected left turn phasing. No additional through travel lanes are added with the project.
Section 15303 (Class 3/New Construction of Conversion of Small Structures) consists of construction and location of limited numbers of new, small facilities or structures; installation of small new equipment and facilities in small structures; and the conversion of existing small structures from one use to another where only minor modifications are made in the exterior of the structure. Examples of this exemption include, but are not limited to, water main, sewage, electrical, gas, and other utility extensions, including street improvements, of reasonable length to serve such construction. The proposed project will install traffic signal poles, cabinets and storm drai n pipe facilities meeting the criteria noted above for small facilities, structures and utility extensions.
Section 15304 (Class 4/ Minor Alterations to Land) of the CEQA Guidelines exempts, from the provisions of CEQA, project consisting of minor public or private alterations in the condition of land, water, and/or vegetation which do not involve removal of healthy, mature, scenic trees except for forestry and agricultural purposes. The installation of the proposed traffic signal will not remove any trees.
The proposed project consists of minor alteration and small structures to installation of traffic signal poles, conduits, pull boxes, ADA ramps, storm drain inlets, vehicle detection loops, minor asphalt paving, minor striping changes and extend utility services by install approximately 1,000’ of storm drain pipe along West Clinton Avenue, from a n existing storm drain pipe stub near N orth Selland Avenue to the intersection of West Clinton Avenue and N orth Valentine Avenue. The subject properties are located within a semi - developed urban area, designated as p ublic and i nstitutional, residential single -family, and residential multi-family. The site has no value as habitat for endangered, rare or threatened species.
Therefore, the above described project complies with the conditions described in Section 15301(c)/Class 1, Section 15303/Class 3 and Section 15304/Class 4 of the CEQA Guidelines. None of the exceptions to Categorical Exemptions set forth in the CEQA Guidelines Section 15300.2 apply to this project.
Date: March 2, 2022
Prepared By: Scott Tyler, PE, Public Works Manager
Submitted By:
Randall Morrison, MCE, PE, Assistant Director, Public Works Department City of Fresno
Public Works Department
(559) 621-8657