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CITY OF FRESNO
CATEGORICAL EXEMPTION
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT NO. PW01072
THE PROJECT DESCRIBED HEREIN IS DETERMINED TO BE C ATEGORICALLY
EXEMPT FROM THE PREPARATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL DOCUM ENTS PURSUANT TO ARTICLE 19 OF THE STATE CEQA GUIDELINE S.
APPLICANT: Victor Valdez
Capital Projects Department
City of Fresno
747 R Street, 2
nd Floor
Fresno, CA 93721
PROJECT LOCATION: The proposed project will occur along Peach Avenu e between State Route (SR) 180 and McKinley Avenue.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
The City of Fresno, Department of Public Works is p roposing to perform improvements that include asphalt concrete grind and overlay, install ation/replacement of ADA compliant curb ramps, curb and gutter, sidewalk and medians, a new traffic signal at Lamona Avenue, upgrade of two existing traffic signals at Clay Avenue and Olive Avenue to video detection, signing and striping, installation of a new protected Class IV bicycle lane facility, replacement of traffic signal loops, and adjustment of water valves and manhole covers to grade.
This project is exempt under Section 15301/Class 1 and 15302/Class 2 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/Class 1 of the CEQA Guidelines exempts from the provisions of CEQA, projects consisting of the operation, repair, maintenance, p ermitting, 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. The types of "existing facilities" itemized below are not intended to be all-inclusive of the types of projec ts which might fall within Class 1. The key consideration is whether the project involves negligible or no expansion of an existing use.
Specifically included in this class of exemption are:
(c) Existing highways and streets, sidewalks, gutters, bicycle and pedestrian trails, and similar facilities (this includes road grading for the purpose of public safety), and other alterations such as the addition of bicycle facilities, including bu t not limited to bicycle parking, bicycle-share facilities and bicycle lanes; and
d) Restoration or rehabilitation of deteriorated or damaged structures, facilities, or mechanical equipment to meet current standards of public healt h and safety, unless it is determined that
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the damage was substantial and resulted from an env ironmental hazard such as earthquake, landslide, or flood;
(f) 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.
Section 15302/Class 2 consists of replacement or re construction 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.
The proposed project is consistent with Class 1 and Class 2 exemptions because the project is proposing to make improvements to existing aspha lt pavement, install curb ramps to meet ADA requirements, reinstall signage and striping to include a Class IV bicycle facility. The proposed improvements are minor, do not constitute and expansion of use, and will improve the public right-of-way without increasing capacity . The proposed project involves negligible expansion of the existing use and will have substantially the same purpose.
The proposed project complies with all conditions d escribed in Sections 15301/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 a s a result of the proposed project and none of the exemptions to Categorical Exemptions se t forth in the CEQA Guidelines Section 15300.2 apply to this project. Therefore, a catego rical exemption, as noted above, has been prepared for the project.
Date: February 26, 2025
Prepared By: Victor Valdez, PE
Licensed Professional Engineer
Submitted by:
Victor Valdez
Licensed Professional Engineer
City of Fresno
Capital Projects Department
(559) 621-8809