Intersection Improvements at E Clinton Ave and N Van Ness Blvd, PW01103
Summary
SCH Number
2026090981
Public Agency
City of Fresno
Document Title
Intersection Improvements at E Clinton Ave and N Van Ness Blvd, PW01103
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
9/22/2026
Document Description
The City of Fresno, Public Works Department, is proposing improvements at the intersection of N Van Ness Blvd and E Clinton Ave to enhance traffic flow and safety by modifying the traffic signal to include a dedicated left-turn phase for both eastbound and westbound traffic. This upgrade will incorporate new traffic poles, advanced stop bars, and ADA-compliant curb ramps to ensure accessibility for all users. Additionally, pedestrian countdown heads and accessible pedestrian signals (APS) will be installed to improve communication and safety for pedestrians. The infrastructure will also feature high-visibility crosswalks, significantly enhancing the overall safety and efficiency of the intersection for both vehicles and pedestrians. The project will remove 2 (two) existing sidewalk landscape trees to provide clear visibility of the intersection and crosswalks. The trees being removed are not heritage trees or protected trees and therefore their removal does not violate FMC 15-2308. The City of Fresno will replace the removed trees as part of the Urban Forest Management plan.
Contact Information
Name
Samen Samra
Agency Name
City of Fresno
Job Title
Engineer II
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Address
Phone
Location
Cities
Fresno
Counties
Fresno
Regions
Northern California
Cross Streets
Intersection of E Clinton Ave and N Van Ness Blvd
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Section 15301 Class 1 and Section 15302 Class 2
Reasons for Exemption
Section 15301/Class 1 exemptions, for projects pertaining to Existing Facilities, consist 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 use beyond that existing at the time of the lead agency’s determination. Examples include but are not limited to: Existing facilities of publicly owned utilities used to provide electric power, natural gas, sewerage, or other public utility services; existing highways and streets, sidewalks, gutters, bicycle and pedestrian trails, and similar facilities (this includes road grading for the purpose of public safety) and other alterations such as the addition of bicycle facilities, including but not limited to bicycle lanes, and pedestrian crossings, and other similar alterations that do not create additional automobile lanes; restoration or rehabilitation of deteriorated or damaged structures, facilities, or mechanical equipment to meet current standards of public health and safety; and, the Addition of safety or health protection devices for use during construction of or in conjunction with existing structures, facilities, or mechanical equipment, or topographical features including navigational devices.
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 replaced structure and will have substantially the same purpose and capacity as the structure replaced.
The proposed project is consistent with Class 1 and Class 2 exemptions because the project is proposing to make improvements to the existing public right-of-way and increase pedestrian safety through the installation of ADA-compliant curb ramps, advance stop bars, accessible pedestrian signals, and the installation of dedicated left-turn phasing for east and west bound traffic. The proposed improvements are minor, do not constitute any expansion of use, and will improve the public right-of-way without increasing capacity. The proposed project involves negligible expansion of the existing use, will be located on the same site as the existing infrastructure, and will have substantially the same purpose and capacity.
Based on staff analysis, it was determined that no adverse environmental impacts would occur as a result of the proposed project and none of the exemptions to Categorical Exemptions set forth in the CEQA Guidelines Section 15300.2 apply to this project. Therefore, a categorical exemption, as noted above, has been prepared for the project.
County Clerk
Fresno
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
Disclaimer: The Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation (LCI) accepts no responsibility for the content or accessibility of these documents. To obtain an attachment in a different format, please contact the lead agency at the contact information listed above. For more information, please visit LCI’s Accessibility Site.