CITY OF FRESNO
CATEGORICAL EXEMPTION
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT NO. P25-1363
FAX MAINTENANCE FACILITY HVAC AND ROOF REPLACEMENT
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: Shelle O’Brien
Projects Manager
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 consists of replacing the existing HVAC and Roof in the bus maintenance building steam cleaning bay at the FAX headquarters. The existing HVAC equipment that has reached the end of its useful life and experiences frequent failures. New, energy
-efficient HVAC equipment will provide for better
regulation of temperatures on the shop floor. The roof is well past its useful life, experiences frequent leaks that pose a risk to employee health and safety as well as causes damage to
interior spaces that house sensitive parts and equipment that need to be protected from the elements. The installation of new roofing materials will correct these issues
. 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(d)/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 section15301 (d), restoration or rehabilitation of deteriorated or damaged structures, facilities, or mechanical equipment to meet current standards of public health and safety. The project consists of replacing t he existing HVAC and roof on the bus maintenance building at the FAX headquarters. The existing lift is beyond its useful life and has been disabled for 16 months due to safety concerns. This equipment is critical to FAX’s ability to maintain its flee t and pass California Highway Patrol (CHP) inspections. A new surface-mounted lift will be installed, providing a safer and more accessible work environment. Other systems, such as the pressure washer and wastewater filtration, will remain in their current configuration but will be cleaned and maintained as part of this project. These
Categorical Exemption
Environmental Assessment No. P25-1363
proposed improvements do not constitute an expansion of the existing use and will have substantially the same purpose.
Section 15302(c)/Class 2 consists of replacement or reco nstruction 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 syst ems and/or facilities involving negligible or no expansion of capacity. The project consists of replacing the existing HVAC and roof on the bus maintenance building at the FAX headquarters. The exist ing lift is beyond its useful life and has been disabled for 16 months due to safety concerns. This equipment is critical to FAX’s ability to maintain its fleet and pass California Highway Patrol (CHP) inspections. A new surface-mounted lift will be installed, providing a safer and more accessible work environment. Other systems, such as the pressure washer and wastewater filtration, will remain in their current configuration but will be cleaned and maintained as part of this project. These improvements will enhance maintenance capacity, further benefiting the public who utilize the FAX bus transportation system.
The location where the improvements 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 mechanical upgrades which will not negative ly impact the existing characteristics of the respective areas or the condition of land. The project will be in existing building at the FAX Headquarters.
The proposed project aims to reduce vehicle miles tr aveled, 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: October 1, 2025
Prepared By: Drew Wison
Submitted By: ______________________________________
Drew Wilson, Planning Manager
City of Fresno
Department of Transportation
(559) 621-1464