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CITY OF FRESNO
CATEGORICAL EXEMPTION
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT NO. WC00004-J6043
THE PROJECT DESCRIBED HEREIN IS DETERMINED TO BE
STATUTORILY EXEMPT FROM THE PREPARATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL DOCUMENTS PURSUANT TO PUBLIC RESOURCES CODE SECTION 21080.21
APPLICANT: Department of Public Utilities
City of Fresno
2600 Fresno Street, Room 4019
Fresno, CA 93721
PROJECT LOCATION: North Grantland Avenue between Shaw and Gettysburg Avenue in Fresno, California
PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
The City of Fresno (City) proposes the North Grantland Avenue Water Main Extension Project (project). The project is located outside of the existing city limits and would begin near the intersection of North Grantland Avenue and West Shaw Avenue . It would extend south approximately 2,500 feet before turning east for approximately 215 feet along the proposed alignment of West Gettysburg Avenue (Figure 1).
Within the project area, North Grantland Avenue is north-south, two-lane roadway without shoulders. The roadway widens to accommodate a left-hand turn lane near its intersection with West Shaw Avenue, a signalized intersection immediately north of the project area. The one- way, stop-controlled intersection of North Grantland Avenue and West Rialto Avenue falls within the project area, as well.
The project is located within the boundary of the City’s West Area Neighborhoods Specific Plan. Existing land use immediately east of the project is agriculture and open space, while land use west of the project is rural residential, primarily consisting of single-family homes.
The project area is not currently served by the City’s municipal water system. As part of the proposed project, a 16-inch diameter water main would be constructed along the approximate centerline of North Grantland Avenue. This water main would support forecasted demand in the West Area Neighborhoods Specific Plan. The proposed water main would terminate near the intersection with West Shaw Aven ue, where it would connect to an existing 16-inch diameter water line on the west side of North Grantland Avenue . At the southern project terminus, the proposed pipe would connect to an existing 14 -inch diameter water pipe .
Installation would require excavation to a depth of approximately 5.5 feet, providing a minimum cover of 3.5 feet from the top of the proposed pipe to the ground surface.
Five fire hydrants would be installed within existing roadway right-of-way along the west side of North Grantland Avenue. Each would connect to the proposed water main via a 6-inch diameter pipe. In addition, w ater main stub connections (ranging between 8 to 16 inches in diameter) would connect to both sides of North Grantland Avenue where service is required. 660149v1
All the proposed project improvements would occur within the existing right s-of-way; no temporary construction or access easements would be required.
Construction would take approximately 3.5 months, with hours limited to those approved by the City. The proposed water main and associated connections would be installed using open cut construction and existing utilities would be protected during construction. At the completion of construction, pavement, including markings, would be restored to original conditions.
North Grantland Avenue would remain open during construction with traffic control. Access would be maintained for all adjacent properties. A traffic control plan would be approved by both the City and Fresno County prior to construction.
This project is statutorily exempt pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 21080.21.
Public Resources Code Section 21080.21 states that CEQA does not apply to a ny project of less than one mile in length within a public street or highway or any other public right -of-way for the installation of a new pipeline or the maintenance, repair, restoration, reconditioning, relocation, replacement, removal, or demolition of an existing pipeline . For purposes of this section, “pipeline” includes subsurface facilities but does not include any surface facility related to the operation of the underground facility.
The proposed North Grantland Avenue Water Main Extension Project qualifies for this statutory exemption because it consists of the installation of a 16 -inch diameter water main and fire hydrants within the existing right -of-way of North Grantland Avenue and the proposed alignment of West Gettysburg Avenue. The project would extend municipal water service to support planned development within the City’s West Area Neighborhoods Specific Plan. All construction activities would occur within previously disturbed roadway corridors, no new right- of-way or easements would be required, and the project would not result in significant environmental effects. The project meets this Statutory Exemption because it would construct a new water main less than one mile (5,280 feet) in length with the proposed pipe length of approximately 2, 800 feet. Additionally, the project includes installation of fire hydrants as extensions of the water main itself and are therefore not considered to be related to the operation of the underground facilities . These improvements are minor components of the public utility system and are included within the scope of the identified statutory exemption.
Construction would be temporary (approximately 3.5 months), and the roadway would be restored to existing conditions following completion. Therefore, the project meets the criteria for exemption under Public Resources Code Section 21080.21.
This project is statutorily exempt from CEQA pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 21080.21. Accordingly, a Statutory E xemption, as noted above, has been prepared for the project.
Date: March 23, 2026
Prepared By:
Kyle Simpson, Principal
LSA Associates, Inc.
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Submitted By:
Anthony Aquino, Engineer II
City of Fresno, (559) 621-8863