Las Positas Road and Stanley Drive Intersection Improvements Project

2023070472

City of Santa Barbara

NOE - Notice of Exemption

7/24/2023

7/24/2023

Kaitlin Mamulski

City of Santa Barbara

Project Planner

Lead/Public Agency

630 Garden Street
Santa Barbara, CA 93102-1990

(805) 897-2685

Kmamulski@SantaBarbaraCA.gov

Las Positas Road and Stanley Drive

Categorical Exemption

CEQA Sections § 15301 (c) and (f)

CEQA Guidelines Section 15301 (c) and (f), Existing Facilities. This Project meets Section 15301 Existing Facilities Class 1 (c) and (f) categorical exemption, because the Project includes minor alterations to existing streets, sidewalks, and similar facilities for the purposes of public safety and does not result in an expansion in capacity and does not create additional automobile lanes. Biology. The Project site is adjacent to the Santa Barbara Golf Club which consists of ornamental trees and landscaping. Applicable standard tree protection measures pursuant to City General Plan policies and Municipal Code provisions would be implemented as part of the proposed Project through contractor specifications and with advice of the City Arborist for application with specific species. Pre-construction nesting bird surveys are to be conducted before construction as nesting bird season falls between February and September each year. Therefore, the impact on adjacent biological resources is considered less than significant. Geology. High expansive soils and moderately shallow groundwater are present within the project site. Ground disturbing activities are expected to be at a maximum of 8-10 ft. deep to secure flashing beacons with these soil conditions. Noise. The removal and demolition of the existing concrete will generate noise and vibration due to saw cutting and use of hand tools, such as sledgehammers. The replacement method will also create noise and vibration due to concrete placement, paving, and patching to conform to the existing asphalt. However, the exact equipment will be determined closer to the time of construction by the contractor. A Project notification letter will be sent out to residents and businesses in the area and working hours for the project will be between 7:00 AM and 5:00 PM per the Santa Barbara Noise Ordinance. Given the temporary nature of the noise impacts and consistency with the City’s Noise Ordinance, the noise effects are considered less than significant. Trees. Two Eucalyptus, one Water Gum, and one Coast Live Oak are proposed for removal due to sight distance conflicts with cars traveling southbound on Las Positas Road. Eight new trees are proposed to replace the trees taken within the existing parkway. The one Coast Live Oak tree will be mitigated at a ratio of 5 to 1 per the City Arborist. The designated species to be planted will be determined by the City Arborist. Coordination with the Street Tree Advisory Committee will occur throughout the tree removal and replacement process. Compliance with the Migratory Bird Treaty Act is required and would address potential impacts associated with nesting birds. Applicable standard tree protection measures pursuant to City General Plan policies and Municipal Code provisions would be implemented as part of the Project through contractor specifications and with advice of the City Arborist for application with specific species. These include temporary fencing and no equipment or materials storage or vehicle parking within driplines, grading controls, tree root protection, and replacement if any healthy mature tree is inadvertently lost or substantially damaged. Pre-construction nesting bird surveys are to be conducted before construction as nesting bird season falls between February and September each year. Given the following, the effects on trees are considered less than significant. Visual. Four flashing beacons are proposed on either side of Las Positas Drive. The location is not in the historic district and does not contain an important open space, unique hillside or shoreline visual, therefore effects on the visual character is considered less than significant. In conclusion, the Project will provide pedestrians with safe crossing and provide improved visibility between pedestrians and approaching drivers. The Project is not anticipated to result in any significant impacts towards the environmental resources, therefore, the Public Works Department recommends that the Case Planner consider this Project as exempt, as defined in the CEQA review process classified under the Class 1 Categorical Exemption, 15301 Existing Facilities (c) and (f) of the CEQA Guidelines.