Consideration of Environmental Assessment No. 2023-05 and Conditional Use Permit Application No. 2023-04 (addition of communications equipment to existing 120

2023050149

City of Reedley

NOE - Notice of Exemption

5/5/2023

5/5/2023

Rodney L. Horton

City of Reedley, Community Development Department

Community Development Director

Lead/Public Agency

1733 9TH Street
Reedley, CA 93654

(559) 637-4200

Rodney.Horton@Reedley.ca.gov

219 Sunset Avenue

93654

Categorical Exemption

This project is exempt under Section 15301 (Class 1/Existing Facilities) and Section 15332 (Class 32/Infill Development

Section 15301 (Existing Facilities) exempt projects that consists of the operation, repair, maintenance, permitting, leasing, licensing, or minor alteration of existing public or private structures, facilities, mechanical equipment, or topographical features. Specifically, the addition of safety or health protection devices for use in conjunction with existing structures, facilities, or mechanical equipment. In the instant, the applicant proposes to install communication equipment to support essential transportation operations, which utilizes radio equipment for communication among buses and the District’s office. Section 15332 (In-Fill Development Projects) of the CEQA Guidelines exempts projects that are consistent with the General Plan and zoning; occur within the city limits on a site less than five acres; contain no habitat for endangered species; would not result in any significant effects relating to traffic, noise, air quality or water quality; and can be adequately served by all required utilities and public services. The project occurs in the city limits of Reedley and would be constructed on less than one acre of land within C.F. Mueller Park mostly on an abandoned well site. The abandoned well site is entirely paved and surrounded by urban uses. The existing tower, where the communication equipment is proposed to be located, is an unmanned facility run on electricity centered within the City so will not create any vehicle trips and will not generate operational noise or air emissions and is not adding impervious surfaces or otherwise impacting water quality. There is no identified habitat for endangered, rare or threatened species within the project site or surrounding urban lands and is not affecting the existing environment. The project would also be required to comply with general plan policies and mitigation measures addressed in the Reedley General Plan 2030 Program EIR (SCH# 2010031106), which would ensure that the project would not result in any significant effects related to traffic, noise, air quality or water quality. Water and sewer service is not required, and the site can be adequately served by PG&E utilities. Section 15300.2 of the CEQA guidelines outlines exceptions to the applicability of a Categorical Exemption, including cumulative impacts, significant effects due to unusual circumstances, scenic highways, hazardous waste sites, and historical resources. There are no unusual circumstances associated with the site or project that would cause a significant effect. As noted above, the project would not result in significant effects to traffic, noise, air quality, or water quality, and as such would not contribute to significant cumulative effects. The project site is not near a scenic highway and is not on list compiled pursuant to Section 65962.5 of the Government Code. The site does not contain a historic resource. Therefore, none of the exceptions to the use of the Categorical Exemption apply to the proposed project or project site. The proposed project will involve the installation of communication equipment to an existing unmanned telecommunication wireless facility, which is an exemption characterized under Section 15332 (Class 32/Infill Development Projects) of the CEQA Guidelines.