CITY OF FRESNO
CATEGORICAL EXEMPTION
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
NO. P20-01297
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
City of Fresno Department of Public Works
2600 Fresno Street
Fresno, CA 93721
PROJECT LOCATION: All intersections along Fresno Street between B Street and North Friant Road in the City of Fresno
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Environmental Assessment Application No. P20-01297 was filed by Steve Delsid , on behalf of the City of Fresno Department of Public Works , and pertains to approximately 29 acres of property. The project proposes the replacement of pedestrian heads at every intersection along Fresno Street from B Street to North Friant Road. The pedestrian head replacement simply replaces existing pedestrian heads with a countdown pedestrian head to provide the amount of time remaining before the green lights come on for the conflicting approach. The project also consists of two traffic signal modifications. The first is at Fresno and R Streets and the second is at Fresno Street and Clinton Avenue. The project also includes the construction of two High- Intensity Activ ated Crosswalks (HAWK) near Fresno S treet and San Jose Street, as well as at Fresno Street and Thomas Avenue. The project construction will req uire a small amount of right of way (ROW) from four location at six parcels, specifically parcels 459-345- 32S, 459-345-34S, 459-345-37, 466-035-07T, 418-060-17, and 418-181-15 with ROW needs ranging from 453 square feet to 30 square feet.
This project is exempt under Section 15301/Class 1 and Section 15303/Class 3 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines as follows:
Under Section 15301/Class 1, the proposed project is exempt from CEQA requirements when the project 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 key consideration is whether the project involves negligible or no expansion of use.
Specifically included in this class exemption are:
Existing highways and streets, gutters, bicycle and pedestrian trails, and similar facilities (this includes road grading for the purpose of public safety); and
Restoration or rehabilitation of deteriorated or damaged structures, facilities, or mechanical equipment to meet current standards of public health and safety, unless it is determined that the damage was substantial and resulted from an environmental hazard such as earthquake, landslide, or flood.
Section 15303/Class 3 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. An example of this exemption includes water main, sewage, electrical, gas, and other utility extensions, including street improvements, of reasonable length to serve such construction.
The proposed project consists of upgrading the existing pedestrian heads along Fresno Street from B Street to North Friant Road, modifying traffic signals at Fresno Street and R Street and at Fresno Street and Clinton Avenue, and constructing two High- Intensity Activated Crosswalks (HAWK). These operational upgrades do not constitute an expansion of use as they are safety enhancements rather than capacity enhancements.
None of the exceptions to Categorical Exemptions set forth in the CEQA Guidelines, Sect ion 15300.2 apply to the 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: May 11, 2020
Prepared By: Marisela Martínez, Planner I
Submitted by:
McKencie Perez
McKencie Perez
Supervising Planner
City of Fresno
Planning & Development
Department
(559) 621-8277