REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
December 10, 2020
FROM: SCOTT L. MOZIER, PE, Director
Public Works Department
THROUGH: Randall W. Morrison, PE, Assistant Director
Public Works Department, Engineering Division
BY: JASON MILLER, PE, Supervising Professional Engineer
Public Works Department, Engineering Division
SUBJECT
Title
Adopt Amended and Restated Environmental Assessment No. P20-01778, dated December 10, 2020, a determination that the proposed project for the Mid-Town Trail qualifies for the streamlined analysis set forth in the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15183 (Projects Consistent w/ a Community Plan, General Plan, or Zoning) (Council District 4 & 7)
Body
RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommends the City Council adopt Amended and Restated Environmental Assessment No. P20-01778 for the Mid-Town Trail Project.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Mid-Town Trail Project (Project) is a multi-purpose bicycle and pedestrian trail funded through a combination of federal Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) Lifeline, local Measure “C” Trails, and federal Active Transportation Program (ATP) funding.
Environmental Assessment No. P20-01778 was performed for the Mid-Town Trail project and adopted by the City of Fresno on November 19, 2020. The Amended and Restated Environmental Assessment No. P20-01778 more accurately describes the proposed project, and should be adopted by the City of Fresno. Adoption of the Amended and Restated Environmental Assessment No. P20-01778 will allow the City to complete the design and right of way phases of the project and proceed into the Construction phase.
BACKGROUND
The Mid-Town Trail project is a multi-purpose bicycle and pedestrian trail funded by a combination of federal Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) Lifeline, local Measure “C”, and federal Active Transportation Program (ATP) funding.
The project proposes an asphalt paved multi-purpose bicycle and pedestrian trail, concrete curb and gutter, street and trail lighting, and landscaping and irrigation. Construction is anticipated to start in Summer 2021.
The project design is nearly complete on several segments. Adoption of the Amended and Restated Environmental Assessment No. P20-01778 will allow the City to obtain authorization from Caltrans to proceed to the Construction phase.
The City Attorney’s Office has reviewed and approved Environmental Assessment No. P20-01778 as to form.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
The California Environmental Quality Act (Public Resource Code Section 21000 et seq.) permits a public agency to determine whether a particular project is exempt from CEQA. A determination of a Streamlined Exemption from Section 15183 was made and Amended and Restated Environmental Assessment No. P20-01778, dated December 10, 2020 (Attachment), was prepared for this project. A Section 15183 exempts from the provisions of CEQA projects that are consistent with the densities established by existing zoning, community plan or general plan policies for which an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) was certified.
As described above, the Mid-Town Trail is consistent with the land use designations and development intensities assigned to the project site by the City of Fresno General Plan. Cumulative impacts associated with development and buildout of the project site, as proposed, were fully addressed in the City of Fresno Master EIR (SCH# 2012111015). Since the proposed project is consistent with the land use designation and development intensity for the site identified in the General Plan and analyzed in the Master EIR, implementation of the proposed project would not result in any new or altered cumulative impacts beyond those addressed in the Master EIR.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference was not implemented based on the conditions of the federal CMAQ grants.
FISCAL IMPACT
This adoption of the Amended and Restated Environmental Assessment No. P20-01778, dated December 10, 2020 has no impact to the General Fund and is located in Districts 4 and 7. The project is funded by federal CMAQ grants, federal ATP grants, and local Measure C Trails funding.
Attachments:
Vicinity Map
Amended and Restated Environmental Assessment No. P20-01778