Environmental Assessment No. P26-00936.1
Summary
SCH Number
2026041214
Public Agency
City of Fresno
Document Title
Environmental Assessment No. P26-00936.1
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
4/27/2026
Document 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 between 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.
Contact Information
Name
Brittany Martin
Agency Name
City of Fresno
Job Title
Planner II
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency / Project Applicant
Phone
Location
Coordinates
Cities
Fresno
Counties
Fresno
Regions
Citywide
Cross Streets
W. Cesar Chavez Blvd and S. Marks Ave
Zip
93721
Total Acres
41.82
Parcel #
None
State Highways
Highway 41 and 99
Railways
Southern Pacific
Airports
Fresno Chandler Executive Airpor
Schools
Lincoln Elementary, Franklin (EOC)
Waterways
N/A
Township
14S
Range
20E
Section
2
Base
MDBM
Other Location Info
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 Fresno County, and is already named West California Avenue.
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
CEQA Guidelines §15301/Class 1 (Existing Facilities), and §Section 15302/Class 2 (Replacement or Reconstruction)
Reasons for Exemption
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 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.
County Clerk
Fresno
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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