Exhibit I
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CITY OF FRESNO
CATEGORICAL EXEMPTION
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT NO. P26-00936.1
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: City of Fresno - Planning and Development Department 2600 Fresno Street, Room 3043
Fresno, CA 93721
PROJECT LOCATION : The project site consists of a ±6.9‑mile segment encompassing Cesar Chavez Boulevard in Fresno, California. The affected segment begins at the intersection of West Cesar Chavez Boulevard and South Marks Avenue and extends east to South Peach Avenue. The street name change does not apply to the half -mile street segment between South Hughes and South West Avenues, as that is located in Fres no County, and is already named West California Avenue.
(Council Districts 3, 5 and 7)
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The project is a proposed street name change being considered at the direction of the Fresno City Council to change the name of Cesar Chavez Boulevard to the original street names of California Avenue, Ventura Street, and Kings Canyon Road along a ±6.9‑ mile street segment. The affected segment begins at the intersection of West Cesar Chavez Boulevard and South Marks Avenue and extends east to South Peach Avenue. The street name change does not apply to the half -mile street segment betw een South Hughes and South West Avenues, as that is located in Fresno County, and is already named West California Avenue.
The City of Fresno, Public Works Department, is proposing to remove approximately 222 existing Cesar Chavez Boulevard and other side street signs and replace them in-kind using the previous street name designations of California Avenue, Ventura Avenue, Kings Canyon Road or their corresponding side street names.
This project is exempt under Section 15301/Class 1 (Existing Facilities), and Section 15302/Class 2 (Replacement or Reconstruction) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines as follows:
Section 15301/Class 1 of the CEQA Guidelines exempts from the provisions of CEQA, projects consisting 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. The key consideration is whether the project involves negligible or no expansion of an existing use. An example
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of this exemption includes existing highways and streets, sidewalks, gutters, bicycle and pedestrian trails, and similar facilities.
Section 15302/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.
The proposed project is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA guidelines Section 15301/Class 1 (Existing Facilities), and Section 15302/Class 2 (Replacement or Reconstruction). The project consists solely of a street name change, including the removal of existing “Cesar Chavez Boulevard” street name signage and the restoration of prior street name signage (California Avenue, Ventura Street, and Kings Canyon Road). The project does not involve expansion of use, construction of new facilities ( beyond minor sign replacement ), changes in traffic patterns, increase of road capacity, or intensification of land use. No ground disturbance, grading or alteration of the physical environment is proposed. The street sign replacements will be installed in the same locations as the existing signage and will serve the same purpose and capacity. As the action is limited to signage changes, it will not result in any direct or indirect physical impacts to the environment. The proposed project involves negligible expansion of the existing use will have substantially the same purpose and capacity and will be located on the same site as the existing facilities.
None of the exceptions to the use of a categorical exemption identified in CEQA Guidelines Section 15300.2 apply to the project. The project site is located within an urbanized area and is not located within an environmentally sensitive area. The project will not result in cumulative impacts, affect scenic highways, or impact historical resources. The project site is not included on any list compiled pursuant to Government Code Section 65962.5 (Cortese List). Therefore, no exception to the categorical exemptions applies and the project remains exempt under CEQA Guidelines Section 15301 /Class 1, and Section 15302/Class 2.
Date: April 15, 2026
Prepared By: Brittany Martin, Planner
Submitted By ____________________
Brittany Martin
Planner
City of Fresno
Planning and Development
Department
(559) 621-8277