CITY OF FRESNO
CATEGORICAL EXEMPTION
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT NO. PW00829
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
Department of Public Works
2600 Fresno Street
Fresno, CA 93721
PROJECT
LOCATION:
Fifty-two intersections located along 13.5 miles of the North Blackstone Avenue/North Abby Street and East Kings Canyon Road/Ventura Street Bus Rapid Transit corridors.
PROJECT
DESCRIPTION:
The proposed project includes upgrades to the pedestrian countdown signals at all 52 intersections, and upgrades to the accessible pedestrian push buttons at 49 of the 52 intersections to provide for improved travel paths and longer ravel times for pedestrians.
This project is exempt under Section(s) 15301/Class 1, 15302/Class 2, and 15303/Class 3 of the State of California CEQA Guidelines.
EXPLANATION:
Section 15302 Class 1 exemptions, for projects pertaining to Existing Facilities, consist of the operation, repair, maint enance, permitting, leasing, licensing, or minor alteration of existing public or private structures, facilities, me chanical equipment, or topographical features, involving negligible or no ex pansion of use beyond that existi ng at the time of the lead agency’s determination. Examples include but are not limited to: Existing facilities of publicly owned utilities used to provide electric power, natural gas, sewerage, or other public utility services; existing highways and streets, sidewalks, gutters, bicycle and pedestrian trails, and similar facilities (this includes road grading for the purpose of publ ic safety); Rehabilitation of existing facilities to meet current standards of public health and safety; and, the Addition of safety or health protection devices for use in conjunction with existing facilities, including navigational devices.
Section 15303 Class 2 ex emptions, for projects involving Replacement or Reconstruction, consist of replacement or reconstruction of ex isting structures and fa cilities where the new structure will be located on t he same site as the structure replaced and will have substantially the same purpose and capacity as the structure replaced. Examples include but are not limited to: Replac ement or reconstruction of existing utility systems and/or facilities involving negligible or no expansion of capacity; and, Conv ersion of overhead electric utility distribution systems to undergr ound including connection to existing overhead electric utility distribution lines where the surface is restored to the condition existing prior to the undergrounding.
Section 15303 Class 3 exemptions, consists of construction and location of limited numbers of new, small facilities or structures; installation fo 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 exteri or of the structure. Examples of this exemption include, but are not limited to, water main, sewage, electrical, gas, and other utility extensions, including st reet improvements, of reas onable length to serve such construction.
The proposed project involves minor alterati on to the rights-of-way with intersection improvements to improve public safety (vehicles and pedestri ans) at the intersection of Fresno Street and Browning Avenue. No vegetation will be removed.
The proposed project complies with all conditi ons described in 15301/Class 1, 15302/Class 2, and 15303/Class 3 of the California CEQA Guidelines. There is no substantial evidence in the record that any of the exceptions to t hese Categorical Exemptions, set forth in CEQA Guidelines section 15300.2, apply to this project.
No adverse environmental impacts will occur as a result of the proposed project.
Date: April 11, 2023
Prepared By: Steve Delsid, Supervising Professional
Engineer
Submitted By: ______ Steve Delsid, Supervising Professional
Engineer
City of Fresno
Department of Public Works
(559) 621-8725