Environmental Assessment No. P25-00173
Summary
SCH Number
2026040469
Public Agency
City of Fresno
Document Title
Environmental Assessment No. P25-00173
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
4/10/2026
Document Description
Conditional Use Permit Application No. P25-00173 requests authorization to establish a State of California Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Type 41 alcohol license (Restaurant – sale of beer and wine for consumption on the premises where sold) to allow alcohol service in conjunction with restaurant operations. The application also proposes to create a small-scale entertainment and recreational golf facility operating under the name The Golf Center. The proposed hours of operation are 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM Monday to Sunday with alcohol to be served during these same hours. The proposal includes modifications to the existing ±2,814-square-foot tenant space, which will include the addition of a ±1,729-square-foot second floor. The redesigned space will feature a restaurant with a bar, an indoor putting green, and seven spaces for golf simulators. The subject property is zoned IL (Light Industrial).
Contact Information
Name
Brittany Martin
Agency Name
City of Fresno
Job Title
Planner II
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Name
Mike De Alba
Agency Name
Mike De Alba and Associates
Job Title
Project Manager
Contact Types
Project Applicant
Address
Phone
Email
Location
Coordinates
Cities
Fresno
Counties
Fresno
Regions
Citywide
Cross Streets
Located generally on the west side of N Helm Ave between E McKinley Ave and E Clinton Wy
Zip
93727
Total Acres
0.14
Parcel #
494-310-07
State Highways
Highway 180 and 168
Railways
ATCHISON TOPEKA AND SANTA FE
Airports
FAT
Schools
Erickson Elementary
Waterways
N/A
Township
13S
Range
21E
Section
30
Base
M.D.B.&M
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
CEQA Guidelines §15303/Class 3 (New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures)
Reasons for Exemption
Section 15303/Class 3 of the CEQA Guidelines exempts projects that consist of construction and location of limited numbers of new, small facilities or structures; and the conversion of existing small structures from one use to another where only minor modifications are made in the exterior of the structure. The numbers of structures described in Section 15303 are the maximum allowable on any legal parcel. In urbanized areas, the exemption also applies to up to four commercial buildings not exceeding 10,000 square feet of in floor area on sites zoned for such use if not involving the use of significant amounts of hazardous substances, where all necessary public services and facilities are available, and the surrounding area is not environmentally sensitive.
The proposed project is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA guidelines Section 15303/Class 3 (New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures). The project consists of interior tenant improvements and minor modifications within an existing commercial building to allow the establishment of a small-scale entertainment and restaurant use with alcohol service. The project includes modifications to an existing ±2,814-square-foot tenant space and the addition of a ±1,729-square-foot second floor, resulting in a total floor area of ±4,543-square-feet. The project site is located within an existing fully developed commercial/industrial area and is served by existing public utilities and infrastructure.
The proposed project does not involve the expansion of the existing building footprint beyond what is permitted under the exemption threshold and does not exceed the 10,000 square-foot limitation for commercial structures located in urbanized areas as identified in Section 15303(c). Additionally, no modifications will be made to the exterior of the structure. The surrounding area is fully developed with similar commercial and industrial uses and is not located within an environmentally sensitive area. Therefore, the proposed project qualifies for a Class 3 Categorical Exemption under the CEQA guidelines.
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 commercial 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). Although the proposed use may involve the storage or handling of limited quantities of hazardous materials typical of commercial restaurant operations, such materials will be handled and stored in compliance with all applicable federal, state and local regulations, including requirements administered by the Fresno County Department of Public Health, Division of Environmental Health. Compliance with these regulations ensures the project will not result in a significant impact related to hazardous materials. Therefore, no exception to the categorical exemption applies and the project remains exempt under CEQA Guidelines Section 15303/Class 3.
County Clerk
Fresno
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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