CITY OF FRESNO
CATEGORICAL EXEMPTION
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT PC00372
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:
PROJECT
LOCATION:
PROJECT
DESCRIPTION:
City of Fresno
Capital Projects Department
2600 Fresno Street
Fresno, CA 93721
The proposed project is located at the northwest corner of East Balch Avenue and South Willow Avenue within the Willow — Balch Park 4989-4995 East Balch Avenue.
(Council District 7)
The proposed project includes removal of the existing tot lot equipment and installation of new tot lot equipment and soft-fall material.
This project is exempt under Section(s) 15301(d)/Class 1, and 15302/Class 2 of the State of California CEQA Guidelines. None of the exceptions to Categorical Exemptions set forth in the CEQA Guidelines, Section 15300.2 apply to this project.
EXPLANATION:
Class 1 exemptions, for projects pertaining to Existing Facilities, consist 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 use beyond that existing 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 public 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.
Class 2 exemptions, for projects involving Replacement or Reconstruction, consist 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. Examples include but are not limited to:
Replacement or reconstruction of existing utility systems and/or facilities involving negligible or no expansion of capacity; and Conversion of overhead electric utility distribution systems to underground including connection to existing overhead electric utility distribution lines where the surface is restored to the condition existing prior to the undergrounding.
The proposed project includes only replacing the existing park amenity which will not negatively impact the existing characteristics of the area or the condition of land. The project will install, repair, replace or construct new public improvements, facilities and structures within existing park and will provide enhancements for public health and safety purposes within park.
No vegetation will be removed.
The proposed project complies with all conditions described in 15301(d)/Class 1, and 15302/Class 2 of the California CEQA Guidelines. Based on staff analysis, it was determined that no adverse environmental impacts would occur as a result of the proposed project and none of the exceptions to Categorical Exemptions set forth in the CEQA guidelines Section 15300.2 apply to this project. Therefore, a categorical exemption, as noted above, has been prepared for the project.
No adverse environmental impacts will occur as a result of the proposed project.
Date: February 1, 2023 Prepared
By: Armando Cervantes, Engineer II
Submitted By: Armando Cervantes
City of Fresno
Capital Projects
Department
(559) 621-8687