California State University, Fresno - Meats Lab Project
Summary
SCH Number
2026091279
Public Agency
California State University Board of Trustees
Document Title
California State University, Fresno - Meats Lab Project
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
9/30/2026
Document Description
The Project would include the construction of a new, one-story, approximately 8,600-gross-square-foot (GSF) meats processing laboratory building. The new lab facility would consist of dry storage, cooler, freezer storage, raw meat preparation area, commercial kitchen and packing area, restrooms, an office, and a meeting/training/teaching room. The building and associated facilities would support teaching activities for Agricultural Sciences and Technology Program students. Operation of the Project would include meat processing, product preparation, training workshops, and educational seminars during regular hours with some evening or weekend hours. There would no public sales of meat products or public events at the facility. The facility would replace the current undersized processing space in the Animal Science Multipurpose Facility.
The Project would include 30 new parking spaces and new electrical, natural gas, stormwater, water, and sewer service connections to existing utility infrastructure near the Project site. The campus is required to comply with the Region-wide Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4) permit issued by the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB) in 2016, and the Storm Water Quality Management Program (SWQMP), adopted in 2013. The Project site is less than 1 acre, so it would not require compliance with the applicable Construction General Permit. The site would be landscaped with drought-tolerant plantings.
The Project would be designed to meet Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver equivalent and would, at a minimum, comply with Title 24 Building, Energy and Green Buildings Standards. Exterior lighting would adhere to LEED–New Construction (NC) guidelines for light pollution reduction and energy efficiency. The Project would include roof-mounted photovoltaic panels.
A Minor Master Plan Revision would be required to locate the new building footprint on the campus; this would be required as part of the Project approval. While this is a new building, it replaces an existing use and program space located within the existing Animal Science Multipurpose Facility (Building 252) and is located in an area with other agricultural buildings and facilities.
The Project is subject to and incorporates applicable mitigation measures in the Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program (MMRP) adopted in conjunction with certification of the Campus Master Plan Revision Environmental Impact Report (EIR) (State Clearinghouse Number 1994032022) by the CSU Board of Trustees in 1994. Applicable mitigation measures address cultural resources, drainage and flooding, and hazardous materials, and would be implemented during Project construction and/or operation.
Contact Information
Name
Dillon Griffith
Agency Name
California State University, Fresno
Job Title
Director of Planning, Design and Construction
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency / Parties Undertaking Project
Phone
Name
Andrea Abrego
Agency Name
The Board of Trustees of the California State University
Job Title
Environmental Manager
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Email
Location
Coordinates
Cities
Fresno
Counties
Fresno
Regions
Northern California
Cross Streets
North Maple Avenue and East Barstow Avenue
Zip
93740
Total Acres
< 1
State Highways
SR 168
Schools
University High School, Vinland Elementary, Wawona K-8, Wolters
Other Location Info
5241 N Maple Ave, Fresno, CA 93740
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 3: Small Structures; §15303
Reasons for Exemption
The Project is categorically exempt under Class 3 (New Construction Projects), having met the conditions set forth in CEQA Guidelines §15303. The Project would fall under Class 3 as it is characterized as new construction of a small structure not exceeding 10,000 square feet in an urbanized area. The new structure would be an approximately 8,600-GSF facility designed to operate a meats lab for processing purposes in support of the Agricultural Sciences and Technology Program at Fresno State, located in the City of Fresno, an urbanized area. The Project would not involve the use of significant hazardous substances. The Project site has all necessary public services and facilities to allow for new connections to those services adjacent to the site, and the surrounding area is not environmentally sensitive. Additionally, the Project does not meet any of the exceptions for taking a categorical exemption, listed under CEQA Guidelines §15300.2.
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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