CITY OF FRESNO
CATEGORICAL EXEMPTION
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT FOR THE CATEGORICAL EXEMPTION
DETERMINATION FOR THE THIRD AMENDMENT TO THE SERVICE AGREEMENT WITH FRESNO METROPOLITAN “METRO” MINISTRY
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
2600 Fresno Street
Fresno, CA 93721
PROJECT LOCATIONS: 1. Lowell Community Garden, 475 N Poplar Ave, Fresno, CA 93701
2. McKinley Peace Garden, 2727 E McKinley Ave, Fresno, CA 93703
3. Romain Community Garden, 745 N First St, Fresno, CA 93702
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The City of Fresno is appropriating $78,000 to Fresno Metropolitan “Metro” Ministry to be used for community garden liaison services. The proposed project would entail the activation of two already-built community garden sites (McKinley Peace Garden and Romain Community Garden) and the continued
operation of the other one community garden site.
This project is exempt under Section 15301/Class 1 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines as follows:
Under Section 15301/Class 1, the proposed project is exempt from CEQA requirements when the project consists of the operation, repair, mainte nance, 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 key consideration is whether the project involves negligible or no expansion of use.
The project is exempt from CEQA because the City of Fresno is approving a Service Agreement to provide $78,000 in funding to Fresno Metro Ministry for community garden liaison services. The project includes the activation of two new already-built community garden sites (McKinley Peace Garden and Romain Community Garden) and the continued operation of one additional community garden site (Lowell Community Garden). The project’s Scope of Services consists of managing gardener selection and sign-ups; maintaining garden hours of operations; establishing and enforcing community guidelines for gardeners; oversight of water wise practices and green waste management; and coordination of community meetings. The project does not involve new construction, ground disturbance, or increased capacity beyond existing facilities and previously approved operations. Accordingl y, the project will not have a significant impact on the environment, as it involves the activation of already-built facilities and the continued use of facilities.
None of the exceptions to Categorical Exemptions outlined in the CEQA Guidelines, Section 15300.2 apply to the project. Furthermore, the proposed project is not expected to have a significant effect on the environment. A categorical exemption, as noted above, has been prepared for the project and the area is not environmentally sensitive.
Date: June 17, 2026
Prepared By: Chanell Johnson
Submitted by:
Elizabeth Fraire
Business Manager
City of Fresno
PARCS Department
(559) 621-2988
ELIZABEF
Digitally signed by
ELIZABEF
Date: 2026.06.18 16:42:50
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