REPORT TO THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
April 22, 2024
FROM: JENNIFER CLARK, Director
Planning and Development Department
BY: LISHA CHEN, Historic Preservation Specialist
Planning and Development Department
SUBJECT
Title
REVIEW & COMMENT on the Notice of Preparation of an Environmental Impact Report for the Fresno Air Traffic Control Tower Relocation Project
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the Historic Preservation Commission review and comment on the Notice of Preparation of an Environmental Impact Report for the Fresno Air Traffic Control Tower Relocation Project.
Body
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The City, as owner and operator of Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FAT), proposes to replace the existing Air Traffic Control Tower (ATCT) at the Airport. The existing ATCT includes the Terminal Radar Approach Control Facilities (TRACON), which would be relocated within the ATCT. The replacement ATCT would be constructed about 150-200 feet south of the existing ATCT. The existing ATCT would be demolished following construction of the replacement ATCT. As a result of the historic resource survey, the ATCT is found to be eligible for listing in the local, state, and national register of historical resources. Thus, it can be determined as a “historic property” for the purposes of NEPA and CEQA. Pursuant to FMC 12-1606 and FMC 12-1617, Staff requests that the Historic Preservation Commission review and comment on the Notice of Preparation for the Fresno Air Traffic Control Tower Relocation Project for the purposes of initiating discussion and providing advisement on the forthcoming EIR.
BACKGROUND
The City, as owner and operator of Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FAT), proposes to replace the existing Air Traffic Control Tower (ATCT) at the Airport. The existing ATCT includes the Terminal Radar Approach Control Facilities (TRACON), which would be relocated with the ATCT. The replacement ATCT would be constructed about 150-200 feet south of the existing ATCT. The existing ATCT would be demolished following construction of the replacement ATCT.
The Proposed Project includes the following components:
• Construction of a new ATCT facility, including TRACON, with an estimated building footprint of 13,000 square feet (sq ft) and tower height of up to 190 feet.
• Installation of new equipment in the replacement ATCT.
• Extension of utility services to the replacement ATCT.
• Reconstruction of the existing parking lot to provide adequate parking for the replacement ATCT.
• Demolition of the existing ATCT facility, including TRACON
Project Analysis
The Proposed Project is located on Airport property at 5055 East Andersen Avenue, Fresno, CA 93727. The existing ATCT is located on a 2.25-acre site northwest of the passenger terminal and adjacent to the Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) building.
To determine whether the proposed undertaking would cause any adverse effects to a “historic property” or substantial adverse changes to a “historical resource”, LSA Associates, Inc. (LSA) conducted historical background research and carried out an intensive-level field survey. As a result, the FAT ATCT is found to be eligible for listing under National Register of Historic Places criteria C, California Register of Historical Resources criteria 3, and Fresno Municipal Code criteria iii).
• The ATCT is a highly intact, representative example of the international style of architecture as applied to an airport traffic control tower. It embodies many of the distinctive characteristics of the style including its simple, rectilinear geometric form, concrete and steel construction, unadorned wall surfaces that are generally smooth, absence of ornamentation, flat roofs, large areas of glass, and bands of metal-framed windows that are flush with the exterior walls.
• The ATCT is the work of master architect Allen Y. Lew, FAIA. In 1962, Lew won an Award for Excellence in Design for the FAT terminal building and related facilities, which likely included the ATCT building as it was one of only five buildings designed by Lew for the FAT at that time. His 1971 nomination to the AIA College of Fellows was based on the work he did in the 1960s and specifically mentioned the airport in addition to noting that his solutions to complex projects had an air of simplicity and restraint that is his outstanding stamp of achievement. The ATCT is a good example of the simplicity and restraint that was the hallmark of his designs from that early period of his career.
Seven aspects of integrity - location, design, setting, material, workmanship, feeling, and association - are evaluated and found that the FAT ATCT retains a high degree of integrity with a period of significance of 1961 when the building was first occupied.
Thus, the FAT ATCT is a “historic property” for the purposes of NEPA and CEQA. Pursuant to Section 106, the proposed demolition of the ATCT would have a significant adverse impact to the historic property. It would also be a substantial adverse change to the historical resource pursuant to CEQA.
Duties and Powers of the Commission
The City’s Historic Preservation Ordinance is in Chapter 12, Article 16 of the Fresno Municipal Code.
Based on FMC SEC.12-1606:
(a) primary duties of the Commission shall be:
(1) The identification, designation and preservation of Historic Resources and Historic Districts owned by the city or located within the city limits; and
(2) The regulation of exterior alterations visible from a public right-of-way including demolition, relocation and new construction, and interior alterations which would affect the significance of Historic Resources or Historic Districts.
(b) the Commission shall have the following additional duties and powers:
(5) Participate in environmental review procedures called for under this article or under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) or under the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) by providing review and comments on permit actions affecting designated Historic Resources, Historic Districts and Heritage Properties as the Commission deems appropriate.
(5.1) Make environmental determinations under the California Environmental Quality Act on any discretionary project applications the Commission considers for approval, including, but not limited to demolition permits for subject properties brought before the Commission.
Based on FMC SEC.12-1617:
(a), It shall be unlawful for any person, corporation, association, partnership or other legal entity to directly or indirectly alter, remodel, demolish, grade, remove, construct, reconstruct or restore any Historic Resource without first obtaining a city permit and the written approval of the Historic Preservation Commission. An Historic Resource shall not be eligible for "at risk" development under FMC Chapter 12, Article 22.
(c), Any application or proposal which proposes the substantial alteration of a Historic Resource shall also be referred to the Director of the Development Department for environmental review. No hearing shall be held by the Commission for applications or proposals to demolish, grade, remove or substantially alter the Historic Resource until such application or proposal has undergone environmental review in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
The City of Fresno (City) is the Lead Agency on the Airport Traffic Control Tower (ATCT) Relocation (Proposed Project) at the Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FAT or Airport) and has prepared a Notice of Preparation (NOP) of an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The NOP period is intended to solicit the views of agencies, interested parties and/or organizations, and the public on the scope and content of the EIR.
CONCLUSION
Staff recommends that the Historic Preservation Commission review and comment on the Notice of Preparation of an Environmental Impact Report for the Fresno Air Traffic Control Tower Relocation Project.
ATTACHMENTS:
Exhibit A - Notice of Preparation of An Environmental Impact Report
Exhibit B - Historic Resources Assessment
Exhibit C - FMC SEC.12-1606 & SEC.12-1617