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CITY OF FRESNO
CATEGORICAL EXEMPTION
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT NO. P26-20261
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: Shannon Mulhall
Projects Administrator
City of Fresno Department of Transportation-FAX
2223 G Street
Fresno, California 93706
PROJECT LOCATION: Fresno Area Express (FAX) bus stops at 17 existing locations within the city limits of Fresno. (See attached Location Map) PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The proposed project proposes to remediate 17 bus stops located within the City of Fresno to remove the deficiencies notated in the FAX ADA Transition plans. The deficiencies identified in the ADA Transition Plan listed as Priority 1, will include replacement and repairs of existing sidewalks, curbs, gutters, and general accessibility improvements. The
remediation work will also serve to provide safer bus stops and an improved customer experience at each of the project stops.
Right-of-way is being acquired on five of the 17 stops as part of this project. These improvements will replace the concrete at each bus stop to meet state and federal accessibility
requirements which will be beneficial to the public who use the FAX bus transportation system. No permanent traffic lane removals or changes will occur , and the roadway will not be expanded.
This project is exempt under Section 15301/Class 1 and Section 15302/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, S ection 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 fo rmer 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 include: (c) existing highways and streets, sidewalks, gutters, bicycle and pedestrian trails, and similar facilities. This project will provide public transportation improvements to 17 existing bus stops in order to meet the dimensions of state and federal accessibility requirements, with right-of-way acquisition totalling 825.84 square feet across five of the stops, at various locations within the city limits of Fresno and will involve negligible or no expansion of capacity. These improvements will add safety features and accessibility amenities at each of the 17 bus stops, which will be beneficial to the public who use the FAX bus transportation system.
Categorical Exemption
Environmental Assessment No. P24-20261
643501v1
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 struct ure replaced, including but not limited to:
(c) replacement or reconstruction of existing utility systems and/or facilities involving negligible or no expansion of capacity. The proposed reconstruction of 17 existing FAX bus stops, with right-of-way acquisition at five of the stops, are all located within the city limits of Fresno and will provide additional safety features and accessibility amenities that will benefit FAX ridership, and the reconstruction will be located on the same site as the structures replaced, will have substantially the same purpose and capacity, and will involve negligible expansion of capacity.
The area in which each of the 17 existing bus stops is located is not environmentally sensitive, is served by all required utilities and public services , and is surrounded by urban uses. The proposed project includes only minor alterations and accessibility upgrades which will not negatively impact the existing characteristics of the respective areas or the condition of land. The project will repair existing sidewalks, curbs, and include general accessibility improvements within public rights -of-way and will provide enhancements for public health and safety purposes. The proposed project will positively contribute to promoting reductions in vehicle miles traveled, automobile delays and to greenhouse gas emissions through the further development of multimodal transportation networks.
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: March 16, 2026
Prepared By: Drew Wison
Submitted By: ______________________________________
Drew Wilson, Planning Manager
City of Fresno
Department of Transportation
(559) 621-1464