P21-06100 - Development Permit

For the environmental analysis, this addendum analyzes the change contemplated from the original Project. The original Mitigated Negative Declaration (Original MND), State Clearinghouse Number 2022080501, adopted by the City of Fresno on August 22, 2022, considered a minor expansion of the existing California Natural Color operations. Since the Original IS/MND was approved, California Natural Color has identified a need for further expansion of their operations. Specifically, California Natural Color will expand their existing dryer and dry storage warehouse by constructing a 28,000 sq. ft. expansion that will connect the existing Dryer building and Dry Storage warehouse. The new expansion will be approximately 150’ x 150’ with a first story of approximately 17,700 sq. ft. and a second story of approximately 10,300 sq. ft. Combined with the existing Dryer and Dry Storage Warehouse, which is 18,700 sq. ft. with one (1) dryer, this will create a total building area of approximately 46,700 sq. ft. with a total of five (5) dryers. The expansion would provide the necessary space to accommodate four (4) additional dryers over the next four (4) years. The Project would consist of a new building with utility connections to existing site infrastructure, new grading and paving, new parking stalls, and relocation of perimeter fencing and gates to accommodate the new building layout, and a proposed lot line adjustment between parcels owned by E & J Gallo Winery. See Attachment A for the site plans. Building The face of the new building is over 300 feet back from the property line and is located behind other existing buildings. It is a steel building with metal siding and metal roof, consistent with other buildings at the facility. It is 30 feet tall at the eaves and under 40 feet tall at the highest point. There are no exterior windows, and exterior doors are limited to control access into this building. As a food ingredient production facility, sanitary design is important to keep the interior spaces clean and washable. The dryers are located on the second floor to allow for the dried flakes that are produced to drop directly into milling machines that grind the products into uniform particle size powders. The facility uses and stores some materials that are classified as hazardous. This includes CIP cleaning chemicals for sanitizing equipment and piping, washing down rooms, and foot baths. Gallo will complete a dust hazard analysis to identify and address hazard concerns of the milled product. Utilities The new building will use electricity, potable water, natural gas, steam, and compressed air. All these utilities will be served by the facility’s existing infrastructure, without the need for upgrades from utility providers. Storm drainage and wastewater from the process will be collected and treated using existing onsite storm basins and wastewater treatment systems; no modifications to those systems are anticipated. No additional restrooms or break areas are planned with this expansion, as this space will be served by adjacent amenities. Therefore, no additional sanitary sewer waste is generated with this project. Site & Traffic The building will occupy an area on the east side of the facility that is currently an asphalt paved area used for circulation of trucks accessing the loading dock that is just southwest of the proposed expansion. There is ample space in the northeast area of the facility to accommodate truck navigation and staging that are displaced by this new building. Two landscape islands will be reduced to accommodate the truck navigation around the building. The perimeter fence and gate on the east side of the facility will be relocated but will maintain the same aesthetic and same level of security as the existing entry gate. Over the course of the next five years, an increase of approximately 2 inbound trucks per day delivering raw materials and 2 outbound trucks per day shipping finished goods is expected, which will have a negligible impact to traffic and operations in and around the facility. There are currently 95 employees and 5 new employees are expected with this expansion. In addition, minimal daily impact on visitors are expected at this facility as a result of this expansion. The facility will handle similar traffic to the current operation, and will allow for access by the semi-trucks for delivery and shipment of goods. Fire lanes will also be maintained for access by emergency services personnel. The revised Project would not have a significant impact. It may be determined that: (1) No substantial changes are proposed in the revised Project which require major revisions to the Original MND due to the involvement of new significant environmental effects or a substantial increase in the severity of previously identified significant effects; (2) No substantial changes will occur with respect to the circumstances under which the Project is undertaken which will require major revisions of the Original MND due to the involvement of new significant environmental effects or a substantial increase in the severity of previously identified significant effects; and, (3) No new information, which was not known and could not have been known with the exercise of reasonable diligence at the time the Original MND was adopted has become available. Analysis for this determination is detailed in the section below. Therefore, the City of Fresno has determined that an addendum to the Original MND is appropriate given that none of the conditions described in Section 15162 of the CEQA Guidelines calling for preparation of a subsequent negative declaration have occurred; and, new information added is only for the purposes of providing minor changes or additions, in accordance with Section 15164 of the CEQA Guidelines.