CITY OF FRESNO
CATEGORICAL EXEMPTION
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT NO. P24-945
FAX ELECTRICAL UPGRADES
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 Department of Transportation-FAX
2223 G Street
Fresno, California 93706
PROJECT LOCATION: Fresno Area Express (FAX) Headquarters within the city limits of Fresno.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The project proposes improvements to existing public facilities extending an existing circuit from El Dorado and G Street north along G Street where it will then enter the FAX corner of the Municipal Service Center. This extended circuit will provide the capacity needed to energize the installed upgrades. This project will supply a set of three new and upgraded power poles on FAX’s site to replace three existing poles. Aside from the area containing the three poles which will merge the existing service lines with the new ones, the work contained in this contract along G Street will be underground. These proposed
improvements do not constitute an expansion of the existing use and will have substantially the same purpose.
This project is exempt under Section 15301/Class 1 and Section 15302(c)/Class 2 of the State of California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines. None of the exceptions to Categorical Exemptions set forth in the CEQA Guidelines, Section 15300.2 apply to this project.
EXPLANATION:
Section 15301/Class 1 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 fomer use. The types of “existing facilities” itemized 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 of exempt work, according to code section 15301 (a), include, the interior or exterior alterations involving such things as interior partitions, plumbing, and electrical conveyances; and code section 15301 (b), existing facilities of both investor and publicly owned utilities used to provide electric power, natural gas, sewerage, or other public utility services. This project will extend an existing circuit from El Dorado and G Street north along G Street where it will then enter the FAX corner of the Municipal Service Center. This extended circuit will provide the capacity needed to energize the installed upgrades. This project will supply a set of three new and upgraded power poles on FAX’s site to replace three existing poles. Aside from the area containing the three poles which will merge the existing service lines with the new ones, the work contained in this contract along G Street will be underground. These proposed improvements do not
Categorical Exemption
Environmental Assessment P24-945
constitute an expansion of the existing use and will have substantially the same purpose.
Section 15302(c)/Class 2 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. The project proposes the extension of an existing circuit from El Dorado and G Street north along G Street where it will then enter the FAX corner of the Municipal Service Center. This extended circuit will provide the capacity needed to energize the installed upgrades. This project will supply a set of three new and upgraded power poles on FAX’s site to replace three existing poles. Aside from the area containing the three poles which will merge the existing service lines with the new ones, the work contained in this contract along G Street will be underground. These improvements will enhance maintenance capacity, further benefiting the public who utilize the FAX bus transportation system.
The location where the electrical circuits will be installed is not environmentally sensitive, has access to all necessary utilities and public services, and is surrounded by urban developments. The proposed project includes electrical upgrades which will not negatively impact the existing characteristics of the respective areas or the condition of land. The project will extend an existing electrical circuit along G Street in Downtown Fresno into the FAX Headquarters along upgraded electrical poles inside the FAX Headquarters. The proposed project aims to reduce vehicle miles traveled, alleviate automobile delays, and lower greenhouse gas emissions by enhancing bus maintenance facilities, hereby promoting more reliable bus services.
Based on staff analysis, it has been determined that no adverse environmental impacts will occur as a result of the proposed project. 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. Accordingly, as the area is not environmentally sensitive, as noted above, a categorical exemption has been prepared for the project.
Date: July 25, 2024
Prepared By: Drew Wison
Submitted By: ______________________________________
Drew Wilson, Planning Manager
City of Fresno
Department of Transportation
(559) 621-1464