NOTICE OF EXEMPTION
FROM: City of Fresno
Planning and Development Department
2600 Fresno Street, 3rd Floor
Fresno, California 93721-3604
TO: X Fresno County Clerk
2220 Tulare Street
Fresno, California 93721
Office of Planning & Research SCH NO.: N/A
P.O. Box 3044, Room 212
Sacramento, California 95812-3044
Project Title: Environmental Assessment (EA) No. P21-01288 Project Locations: East side of Blackstone Ave, from Hedges to Cambridge for the sidewalk and street lighting improvements; Van Ness, Elizabeth to Weldon, and Fulton/Wishon from Belmont to Weldon, both in Class IV bike ways.
Project Location – City: City of Fresno Project Location - County: County of Fresno Description of Nature, Purpose and Beneficiaries of Project : Environmental Assessment Application No. P21 -01288 was filed by Steve Delsid of The City of Fresno - Department of Public Works. The applicant proposes sidewalk and bicycle facility improvements within the public rights-of- way along portions of North Blackstone Avenue, North Fulton/North Wishon Avenue, and North Van Ness Avenue.
The proposed improvements along the east side of North Blackstone Avenue, between East Hedges and East Cambridge Avenues, will provide new sidewalk along the portions not containing existing sidewalk, otherwise known as sidewalk gap infill. The proposed improvements along the west side of North Blackstone Avenue, between East McKinley Avenue to East Weldon Avenue, will also provide sidewalk gap infill along the areas not containing existing sidewalk. This portion of the project will also provide pedestrian scaled lighting along both sides of N orth Blackstone Avenue, between East Hedges and East Cambridge Avenues. The North Blackstone Avenue sidewalk and pedestrian lighting improvements will require minor acquisitions of adjacent properties for public rights-of-way.
In addition to the sidewalk improvements along North Blackstone Avenue, the City of Fresno will also provide improvements to existing bicycle facilities along North Wishon/North Fulton Avenue, between East Weldon and East Belmont Avenues and along North Van Ness Avenue, between East Weldon and East Elizabeth Avenues. The proposed bicycle facility improvements along the aforementioned roadway segments will convert existing Class II bike lanes to a Class IV Bikeway.
Name of Public Agency Approving Project: City of Fresno Name of Person or Agency Carrying Out Project:
Steve Delsid
Department of Public Utilities
City of Fresno
2600 Fresno Street
Fresno, CA 93721
Exempt Status: (check one)
Ministerial - PRC § 21080(b)(1); CEQA Guidelines §15268 EA P21-01288
CEQA Notice of Exemption
April 13, 2021
Declared Emergency - PRC § 21080(b)(3); CEQA Guidelines §15269(a) Emergency Project - PRC § 21080(b)(4); CEQA Guidelines §15269(b) and (c) X Categorical Exemptions - CEQA Guidelines §15301/Class 1, §15302/Class 2, §15303/Class 3, and §15304/Class 4
Statutory Exemption – PRC §_____________
Reasons why project is exempt: This project is exempt under Section 15301/Class 1, Section 15302/Class 2, Section 15303/Class 3, and Section 15304/Class 4 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines.
Under Section 15301/Class 1, the project is exempt from CEQA requirements.
Section 15301/Class 1 (Existing Facilities) consists 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.
The types of “existing facilities” itemized below are not intended to be all -inclusive of the types of projects which might fall within Class 1. The key consideration is whether the project involves negligible or no expansion of use. Examples include but are not limited to: (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);
Under Section 15302/Class 2, the project is exempt from CEQA requirements.
Section 15302/Class (Replacement or Reconstruction) consists of replacement or reconstruction of existing structures and facilities where the new structure will be located on the same site as the structure replaced and will have substantially the same purpose and capacity as the structure replaced, including but not limited to: (c) Replacement or reconstruction of existing utility systems and/or facilities involving negligible or no expansion of capacity.
Under Section 15303/Class 3, the project is exempt from CEQA requirements.
Section 15303/Class 3 (New Construction or 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 ex terior of the structure. The numbers of structures described in this section are the maximum allowable on any legal parcel. Examples of this exemption include, but are not limited to: (d) Water main, sewage, electrical, gas, and other utility extensions, including street improvements, of reasonable length to serve such construction.
Under Section 15304/Class 4, the project is exempt from CEQA requirements.
Section 15304/Class 4 (Minor Alterations to Land) consists 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 EA P21-01288
CEQA Notice of Exemption
April 13, 2021
except for forestry or agricultural purposes. Examples include, but are not limited to: (h) The creation of bicycle lanes on existing rights-of-way.
The proposed project is consistent with the Class 1, Class 2, Class 3, and Class 4 exemptions because the project is requesting to make improvements to existing facilities, sidewalks and bike lanes. It proposes sidewalk gap infill, meaning sidewalk wi ll be placed where dirt or asphalt currently exists within the area. Pedestrian scale lighting will be installed along the North Blackstone Avenue sidewalk from Hedges to Cambridge. No utilities will be relocated, simply adjusted to fit the sidewalk. Additionally, the project is looking to replace the existing Class II bike lanes with a Class IV Bikeway. The proposed project involves negligible expansion of the existing use and will have substantially the same purpose.
None of the exceptions to Categorical Exemptions set forth in the CEQA Guidelines, Section 15300.2 apply to this project. Furthermore, the proposed project is not expected to have a significant effect on the environment. A categorical exemption, as noted above, has been prepared for the proj ect and the area is not environmentally sensitive.
Lead Agency Contact Person: Enrique Aponte Telephone No. (559) 621-8046
Signature: _____________________________________ Date: _________________________
Printed Name and Title:
Enrique Aponte, Planner I
City of Fresno, Planning and Development Department
Signed by Lead Agency Signed by applicant
Attachments: Site/Vicinity Map Diagram
Categorical Exemptions Determination
CITY OF FRESNO
CATEGORICAL EXEMPTION
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT NO. P21-01288
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: Steve Delsid
Department of Public Utilities
City of Fresno
2600 Fresno Street
Fresno, CA 93721
PROJECT LOCATION: North Blackstone Avenue, between East Hedges and East Cambridge Avenues; North Van Ness Avenue, between East Elizabeth and East Weldon Avenues; and North Fulton/North Wishon Avenue, between East Belmont and East Weldon
Avenues. (See attached Exhibits)
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Environmental Assessment Application No. P21-01288 was filed by Steve Delsid of The City of Fresno - Department of Public Works. The applicant proposes sidewalk and bicycle facility improvements within the public right s-of-way along portions of North Blackstone Avenue, North Fulton/North Wishon Avenue, and North Van Ness Avenue.
The proposed improvements along the east side of North
Blackstone Avenue, between East Hedges and East Cambridge Avenues, will provide new sidewalk along the portions not containing existing sidewalk, otherwise known as sidewalk gap infill. The proposed improvements along the west side of North Blackstone Avenue, between East McKinley Avenue to East Weldon Avenue, will also provide sidewalk gap infill along the areas not containing existing sidewalk. This portion of the project will also provide pedestrian scaled lighting along both sides of North Blackstone Avenue, between East Hedges and East
Cambridge Avenues. The North Blackstone Avenue sidewalk and pedestrian lighting improvements will require minor acquisitions of adjacent properties for public rights-of-way.
In addition to the sidewalk improvements along North
Blackstone Avenue, t he City of Fresno will also provide improvements to existing bicycle facilities along North Wishon/North Fulton Avenue, between East Weldon and East Belmont Avenues and along North Van Ness Avenue, between East Weldon and East Elizabeth Avenues. The proposed bicycle facility improvements along the aforementioned roadway
segments will convert existing Class II bike l anes to a Class IV Bikeway.
This project is exempt under Section 15301/Class 1, Section 15302/Class 2, Section 15303/Class 3, and Section 15304/Class 4 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines.
EXPLANATION:
Under Section 15301/Class 1, the project is exempt from CEQA requirements.
Section 15301/Class 1 (Existing Facilities) consists 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. The types of “existing facilities” itemized below are not intended to be all-inclusive of the types of projects which might fall wi thin Class 1. The key consideration is whether the project involves negligible or no expansion of use. Examples include but are not limited to: (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);
Under Section 15302/Class 2, the project is exempt from CEQA requirements.
Section 15302/Class (Replacement or Reconstruction) consists of replacement or reconstruction of existing structures and facilities where the new structure will be located on the same site as the structure replaced and will have substantially the same purpose and capacity as the structure replaced, including but not li mited to: (c) Replacement or reconstruction of existing utility systems and/or facilities involving negligible or no expansion of capacity.
Under Section 15303/Class 3, the project is exempt from CEQA requirements.
Section 15303/ Class 3 (New Construction or 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. The numbers of structures described in this section are the maximum allowable on any legal parcel. Examples of this exemption include, but are not limited to: (d) Water main, sewage, electrical, gas, and other utility extensions, including street improvements, of reasonable length to serve such construction.
Under Section 15304/Class 4, the project is exempt from CEQA requirements.
Section 15304/Class 4 (Minor Alterations to Land) consists 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 or agricultural purposes. Examples include, but are not limited to: (h) The creation of bicycle lanes on existing rights-of-way.
The proposed project is consistent with the Class 1, Class 2, Class 3, and Class 4 exemptions because the project is requesting to make improvements to existing facilities, sidewalks and bike lanes. It proposes s idewalk gap infill, meaning sidewalk will be placed where dirt or asphalt currently exists within the area. Pedestrian scale lighting will be installed along the North Blackstone Avenue sidewalk from H edges to Cambridge. No utilities will be relocated, simply adjusted to fit the sidewalk. Additionally, the project is looking to replace the existing Class II bike lanes with a Class IV Bikeway. The proposed project involves negligible expansion of the existing use and will have substantially the same purpose.
None of the exceptions to Categorical Exemptions set forth in the CEQA Guidelines, Section 15300.2 apply to this project. Furthermore, the proposed project is not expected to have a significant effect on the environment. A categorical exemption, as noted above, has been prepared for the project and the area is not environmentally sensitive.
Date: April 13, 2021
Prepared By: Enrique Aponte, Planner I
Submitted By:
Phillip Siegrist
City of Fresno
Planning and Development
(559) 621-8061