Proposed Purchase of Property as an addition to Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve
Summary
SCH Number
2023040449
Public Agency
Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District
Document Title
Proposed Purchase of Property as an addition to Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
4/18/2023
Document Description
Notice of Exemption for the proposed purchase of an undivided 33% interest (representing a 3.45-acre area, including an existing residence) in the 611.7-acre South Cowell Property as an addition to the District’s Purisima Creek Open Space Preserve and concurrent adoption of an amendment to the existing Preliminary Use and Management (PUMP) for the 375.45-acre Upland portion of the South Cowell Property
Contact Information
Name
Aaron Peth
Agency Name
Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District
Job Title
Real Property Planner III
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Email
Location
Counties
San Mateo
Regions
San Francisco Bay Area, Unincorporated
Parcel #
066-280-052
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Sections 15301, 15316, 15325
Reasons for Exemption
Section 15301 exempts the operation, repair, maintenance, or minor alteration of existing public or private structures, facilities, or topographical features, involving negligible or no expansion of use beyond the existing uses. The Amended PUMP will maintain the Property as status quo with no expansion or changes to its existing uses as a residence and agricultural and open space lands. The Amended PUMP includes maintenance of the existing infrastructure as necessary, as well as maintenance of or minor alterations to the property for wildland fuel management and other natural resource management activities in accordance with the District’s adopted policies and programs and their associated CEQA documents.
Section 15316 exempts the acquisition of land in order to create parks if the land is in a natural condition, and the management plan proposes to keep the area in a natural condition. The Amended PUMP for the Property specifies that the land will remain in a natural condition and will be designated as an addition to the District’s Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve.?
Section 15325 exempts (a) acquisition or transfer of ownership to preserve existing natural conditions, including plant and animal habitats, (b) acquisition or transfer of ownership to allow continued agricultural uses, and (f) acquisition or transfer of ownership to preserve open space. The proposed purchase will transfer a portion of ownership of the Property to the District to ensure that its existing natural conditions will be preserved, will allow for the existing agricultural and grazing uses to continue, and preserve the Upland portion of the Property as part of the District’s Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve.
In addition, none of the exceptions listed in Section 15300.2 apply to this project.
County Clerk
San Mateo
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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