CITY OF FRESNO
CATEGORICAL EXEMPTION
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT PW01041
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: Raymundo Casillas
City of Fresno
747 R Street,
Fresno CA, 93721
PROJECT LOCATION: E. Kaviland Avenue and S. Villa Avenue (See attached Exhibit Map)
(Council District 5)
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The scope of work for the project includes landscape improvements to the existing neighborhood park including installation of concrete benches, concrete pads, drinking fountain and a shade structure.
This project is exempt under Section 15301/Class 1, 15302/Class 2, and 15303/Class 3 of the of the 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 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 types of “existing facilities” itemized below are not intended to be all-inclusive of the types of projects which might fall within Class
1. Class b, existing facilities of both investor and publicly owned utilities used to provide electric power, natural gas, sewerage, or other public utility services. Restoration or rehabilitation of deterioration or damaged structures, facilities, or mechanical equipment to meet current standards of public health and safety, and, the addition of safety or health protection devices for use during construction of or in conjunction with existing structures, facilities, or mechanical equipment, or topographical features including navigational devices.
Class 2 exemptions, for projects involving Replacement of 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. 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 utility distribution lines where the surface is restored to the condition existing prior to the undergrounding.
Environmental Assessment No. PW01041
January 30, 2024
The Class 3 exemption, covered under Section 15 303, consists of construction and location of limited numbers of new, small facilities or structures; installation of small new equipment and facilities in small structures; etc. Examples include “[w]ater main, sewage, electrical, gas, and other utility extensions” and “[a]cessory (appurtenant) structures including garages, carports, patios, swimming pools, and fences.”
The proposed project includes installing park benches, concrete pads for park benches, a shade structure and a drinking fountain which will not negatively impact the existing characteristics of the area or the condition of the parcel. The project will install, repair, replace or construct new public improvements, facilities and structures within the existing park and will provide enhancements for public health and safety purposes within park. The park will maintain substantially the same purpose and capacity. The project will result in negligible or no expansion of the existing or former use.
None of the exceptions to Categorical Exemptions set forth in the CEQA Guidelines, Section 15300.2 apply to this project. The project is not located in a particularly sensitive environment. Furthermore, the proposed project is not expected to have a significant effect on the environment. There are no significant cumulative impacts.
Accordingly, the project is categorically exempt from futher analysis under CEQA.
Date: January 30, 2024
Prepared By: Raymundo Casillas