CITY OF FRESNO
CATEGORICAL EXEMPTIONS
Environmental Assessment for Installation of Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Canopies at Fresno Area Express Employee and Bus Parking Lot
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: Kristopher Grey, Projects Administrator
City of Fresno Transportation Department
PROJECT LOCATION: 2223 G Street, Fresno, CA (APN XXX-XXX)
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Construction of multiple rooftop and canopy solar photovoltaic (PV) facilities and associated electrical components (solar energy system) over the existing employee and bus parking lots for Fresno Area Express (FAX) at the Fresno Municipal Service Center. The project supplements FAX’s energy needs and generates savings in energy costs.
This project is exempt under Sections 15303/Class 3; 15304/Class 4; and 15311/Class 11 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines and exempt pursuant to Section 21080.35.(a) of the California Public Resources Code (PRC) as follows:
15303/Class 3 New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures; consists of construction and location of limited numbers of new, small facilities or structures:
(e) Accessory (appurtenant) structures – a canopy photovoltaic system over existing parking lot.
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 the removal of mature, scenic trees.
(f) Minor trenching and backfilling where the surface is restored
15311/Class 11 Accessory Structures; consists of construction or placement of minor structures accessory to (appurtenant to) existing commercial, industrial, or institutional facilities:
(b) Small parking lots – a canopy photovoltaic system installed on a parking lot as an accessory use
The installation of a rooftop and parking lot canopy PV solar system and associated equipment are statutorily exempt where the associated equipment is located on the same parcel and does not cover over 500 square feet. There is no substantial evidence in the record that any of the exceptions to these Categorical Exemptions, set forth in CEQA Guidelines, Section 15300.2 and PRC Division 13, Section 21080.35.(d) apply to this project: associated equipment does not affect any plants protected by the Native Plant Protection Act; no impacts would occur to jurisdictional waters; no take permit is required for endangered species; no streambed alteration permit is required, no tree required to be planted, maintained, or protected would be affected; and no native tree over 25 years old would be removed. Therefore, no adverse environmental impacts will occur as a result of the proposed project.
Date: June 21, 2022
Prepared
By: CITY OF FRESNO