Aztec Circle Drive Utility Relocations and Barrier Removal

2023040635

California State University, San Diego (SDSU)

NOE - Notice of Exemption

12/4/2024

12/4/2024

Kara Peterson

San Diego State University

Director of Planning

Lead/Public Agency

5500 Campanile Drive
San Diego, CA 92182

(619) 594-6930

kara.peterson@sdsu.edu

92182

San Diego State University

NW of Chemical Sciences Laboratory building adjacent to Aztec Circle Drive and Canyon Crest Drive

Categorical Exemption

Sec. 15301, Class 1: Existing Facilities

The proposed project consists of upgrades to electrical and data infrastructure to support existing buildings in the northeast quadrant of the SDSU campus that are served by SDSU’s Substation A, which was recently replaced as part of an upgrade from 5kV to 12kV service. The project will consist of demolition of a non-accessible pedestrian path, tree removal, minor clearing and grubbing of the hillside, placement of conduit and vaults and installation of electrical and data infrastructure, and demolition of abandoned electrical and data infrastructure. Biological surveys of the project area were conducted in Spring 2024. There is no USFWS-designated critical habitat for wildlife species mapped within the project site, and there was determined to be minimal habitat in the project site suitable for endangered, rare or threatened species. Thus, potential impacts to endangered, rare or threatened species are not expected to occur as a result of project activities. Construction will not begin during the bird breeding season (January 1 through August 31), bird nesting season (February 1 through September 15), or western yellow and western red bat maternity roosting season (March 1 - August 31). There is no USFWS-designated critical habitat mapped for plant species within the project site. All four vegetation communities/land covers within the project site are disturbed/developed or naturalized and therefore, not considered sensitive vegetation. Approximately 133 trees within the project site may be subject to removal; the number of trees removed will be offset by an equal number of trees planted on the SDSU campus. The project does not trigger any of the CEQA Section 15300.2 (a) through (f) exceptions for the use of Categorical Exemptions. It is not located in a sensitive environment, would not result in cumulative impact from successive projects of the same type in the same location, would not have a significant effect on the environment, would not damage scenic resources within a designated state scenic highway, is not located on or adjacent to a hazardous waste site, and would not cause substantial adverse change in the significance of a historical resource. As such, the demolition of a non-accessible pedestrian path, removal of trees, minor clearing and grubbing, and placement of conduit and vaults for installation of electrical and data infrastructure is within the scope and intent of the Class 1 Categorical Exemption. The project falls within the CEQA Section 15301, Class 1 “Existing Facilities” Categorical Exemption, which applies to operations, repair, and maintenance of existing facilities.

Other

Common Sense Exemption, Sec. 15061(b)(3)

The proposed project consists of upgrades to electrical and data infrastructure to support existing buildings in the northeast quadrant of the SDSU campus that are served by SDSU’s Substation A, which was recently replaced as part of an upgrade from 5kV to 12kV service. The project will consist of demolition of a non-accessible pedestrian path, tree removal, minor clearing and grubbing of the hillside, placement of conduit and vaults and installation of electrical and data infrastructure, and demolition of abandoned electrical and data infrastructure. Biological surveys of the project area were conducted in Spring 2024. There is no USFWS-designated critical habitat for wildlife species mapped within the project site, and there was determined to be minimal habitat in the project site suitable for endangered, rare or threatened species. Thus, potential impacts to endangered, rare or threatened species are not expected to occur as a result of project activities. Construction will not begin during the bird breeding season (January 1 through August 31), bird nesting season (February 1 through September 15), or western yellow and western red bat maternity roosting season (March 1 - August 31). There is no USFWS-designated critical habitat mapped for plant species within the project site. All four vegetation communities/land covers within the project site are disturbed/developed or naturalized and therefore, not considered sensitive vegetation. Approximately 133 trees within the project site may be subject to removal; the number of trees removed will be offset by an equal number of trees planted on the SDSU campus. The project is not located in a sensitive environment, would not result in cumulative impact from successive projects of the same type in the same location, would not have a significant effect on the environment, would not damage scenic resources within a designated state scenic highway, is not located on or adjacent to a hazardous waste site, and would not cause substantial adverse change in the significance of a historical resource. As such, there is no possibility that the proposed project would cause a significant effect on the environment, therefore the proposed project is exempt from CEQA under CEQA Guidelines section 15061(b)(3).