Notice of Exemption for 104 E. Sierra Avenue, Fresno CA Project
Summary
SCH Number
2025030641
Public Agency
City of Fresno
Document Title
Notice of Exemption for 104 E. Sierra Avenue, Fresno CA Project
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
3/17/2025
Document Description
The project proposes that the City of Fresno provide funding to Self Help Enterprises for the acquisition of the Mobile Home Park consisting of 32 existing mobile homes, located at 104 E. Sierra to be used for affordable housing, with the possible future addition of 26 affordable housing units along with minor rehab of the site including sidewalks and facilities repairs.
Contact Information
Name
Danny Tohme
Agency Name
City of Fresno
Job Title
Housing Production Manager
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Email
Location
Cities
Fresno
Counties
Fresno
Regions
Citywide, Countywide, Statewide
Cross Streets
East Sierra Avenue and North Clark Street
Zip
93710
Total Acres
4.93
Parcel #
408-050-04, 408-050-05, 408-050-09
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Section 15332/Class 32
Reasons for Exemption
Under Section 15332/Class 32, the proposed project is exempt from CEQA requirements when
the project is characterized as in-fill development meeting the following conditions:
a) The project is consistent with the applicable general plan designation and all applicable
general plan policies as well as with applicable zoning designation and regulations.
The project is consistent with the following Fresno General Plan goals, objectives and
policies related to residential land use and the urban form:
Goals
Goal 7: Provide for a diversity of districts, neighborhoods, housing types (including
affordable housing), residential densities, job opportunities, recreation, open space, and
educational venues that appeal to a broad range of people throughout the city.
Goal 8: Develop Complete Neighborhoods and districts with an efficient and diverse mix
of residential densities, building types, and affordability which are designed to be healthy,
attractive, and centered by schools, parks, and public and commercial services to provide
a sense of place and that provide as many services as possible within walking distance.
The site is consistent with the applicable general plan designation and all applicable
general plan policies as well as with applicable zoning designation and regulations
Goal 11: Emphasize and plan for all modes of travel on local and Major Streets in Fresno.
Facilitate travel by walking, biking, transit, and motor vehicle with interconnected and
linked neighborhoods, districts, major campuses and public facilities, shopping centers
and other service centers, and regional transportation such as air, rail, bus and highways
Objectives
Objective LU-1 establishes a comprehensive citywide land use planning strategy to meet
economic development objectives, achieve efficient and equitable use of resources and
infrastructure, and create an attractive living environment.
Objective LU-2 plans for infill development that includes a range of housing types, building
forms, and land uses to meet the needs of both current and future residents.
Objective LU-6 retains and enhances existing commercial areas to strengthen Fresno’s
economic base and site new office, retail, and lodging use districts to serve neighborhoods
and regional visitors.
Objective D-4 preserves and strengthens Fresno’s overall image through design review
and create a safe, walkable and attractive urban environment for the current and future
generations of residents.
Policies
Policy LU-1-a promotes new development, infill, and rehabilitation of existing building stock
in the Downtown Planning Area, along BRT corridors, in established neighborhoods
generally south of Herndon Avenue, and on other infill sites and vacant land within the
City.
Policy LU-6-a fosters high quality design, diversity, and a mix of amenities in new
development with uses through the consideration of guidelines, regulations and design
review procedures.
Development Code
Residential Housing uses are permitted uses in CMX Zone Districts in accordance with
Fresno Municipal Code (FMC) Table 15-1102.
The project proposes the acquisition of existing Mobile Home Park containing 32 existing
homes, with the future addition of up to 26 affordable housing units. The project also
proposed various off-site improvements such as curb, gutter, sidewalks and driveways.
Therefore, it is staff’s opinion that the proposed project is consistent with respective
general and community plan objectives and policies, and the applicable zoning designation
and regulations of the Development Code, and will not conflict with any applicable land
use plan, policy, or regulation of the City of Fresno.
b) The proposed development occurs within city limits on a project site of no more than five
acres substantially surrounded by urban uses.
The proposed project is located within the city limits, occurs on a site of approximately
4.93 acres total (less than the five acre maximum), and is substantially surrounded by
urban uses (Corridor/Center Mixed Use to the West and North, State Route 41 to the
East).
c) The project has no value as habitat for endangered, rare or threatened species.
The project site is currently a residential development, and substantially surrounded by
urban uses such as commercial developments. Therefore, the site has no value as habitat
for endangered, rare, or threatened species.
d) Approval of the project would not result in any significant effects relating to traffic, noise,
air quality, or water quality.
Traffic
The City of Fresno VMT Thresholds adopted a screening standard and criteria that can be
used to screen out qualified projects that meet the adopted criteria from needing to prepare
a detailed VMT analysis. As explained below, staff believes this project will have a less
than significant impact on traffic because of the sites location within 0.5 mile of a Transit
Priority Area as well as the high level of affordable housing units
The City of Fresno VMT Thresholds Section 3.0 regarding Project Screening discusses a
variety of projects that may be screened out of a VMT analysis including specific
development and transportation projects. For development projects, conditions may exist
that would presume that a development project has a less than significant impact. These
may be size, location, proximity to transit, or trip-making potential. For transportation
projects, the primary attribute to consider is the potential to increase vehicle travel,
sometimes referred to as “induced travel.”
The proposed project is eligible to screen out pursuant to the City of Fresno VMT
Thresholds Section 3.0 (Project Screening). Using the Fresno COG VMT Calculator Tool,
it indicated the Transportation Analysis Zone in which the subject property is located within
would generate 11.9 VMT per capita. As the City’s established VMT threshold is 14.01
VMT per capita, the Project’s impact to VMT is less than the 13 percent minimum
threshold, resulting in a less than significant impact.
Additionally, the proposed project is located in a high quality transit area.
In summary, this project will not result in any significant traffic impacts, or will have a less
than significant impact on Regional VMT.
Noise
The project is for the acquisition and minor rehab of an existing Mobile Home Park,
consisting of 32 mobile homes with the possible future addition of 26 affordable housing
units. The project site is surrounded by commercial/residential uses.
Housing developments typically generate low noise levels due to limited automotive
speeds within the complex and limited use of open space areas. Furthermore, noise from
the existing adjacent major freeway (State Route 41) would exceed the noise levels
produced within the multi-family development, assuring the proposed development would
not cause a nuisance in exceeding noise decibel standard of the Fresno Municipal Code.
In any case, the project is conditioned to comply with all applicable noise standards of the
Citywide Development Code,
Air Quality
The project is conditioned to comply with any applicable regulations and conditions from
the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District and the project is subject to review by
the agency in regard to air quality during construction and operation. The project, as
described, will not occur at a scale or scope with potential to contribute substantially or
cumulatively to existing or projected air quality violations or impacts.
Water Quality
The project is conditioned to comply with any applicable regulations and conditions from
the Fresno Metropolitan Flood Control District and the project is subject to review by the
agency in regard to water quality during construction and operation. The project, as
described, will not occur at a scale or scope with potential to contribute substantially or
cumulatively to existing or projected water quality violations or impacts.
e) The site can be adequately served by all required utilities and public services.
The surrounding properties and neighborhood have been substantially developed and
utilities and public services already exist in the area and the site can be adequately served
by all required utilities, including sewer, water, and solid waste, as well as public services.
None of the exceptions to Categorical Exemptions set forth in the CEQA Guidelines, Section
15300.2 apply to the project. Furthermore, the proposed project is not expected to have a
significant effect on the environment. A categorical exemption, as noted above, has been
prepared for the project and the area is not environmentally sensitive.
County Clerk
Fresno
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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