CVWD Demonstration Garden
Summary
SCH Number
2023080457
Public Agency
Coachella Valley Water District
(CVWD)
Document Title
CVWD Demonstration Garden
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
8/21/2023
Document Description
The CVWD Demonstration Garden (Garden) project consists of the Coachella Valley Water District constructing an additional 12,135 square feet to an existing demonstration garden. The Garden will be used for both formal and self-guided tours with the purpose of demonstrating proper planting and irrigation practices as well as instill inspiration for CVWD customers’ use in their landscape.
The Garden will display the most water-efficient irrigation systems, and various ground covers, provide examples of maintaining challenging slopes and microclimates, as well as encourage the selection of current desert-friendly varieties of plant material reflecting the most recent edition of our Lush and Efficient book. The design proposal includes redesigned parking for disabled customers as well as ADA compliant ramps for inclusion of all visitors. The Garden will provide an excellent educational space for self-guided and group tours. The potential design will provide an area so that educational workshops will have the ability to provide real time demonstrations of topics such as pruning, vegetable gardening, selecting desert plants, and irrigation zones. The proposed project will also incorporate a shade structure for educational seating. The incorporation of technology is proposed into the gardens via a web/phone application interface that will allow visitors to be able to look up in real time plant species, rock types, and irrigation elements by simply downloading the application and scanning an identification marker.
Excavation of the Garden will be approximately 6 feet below ground surface on existing CVWD property on previously disturbed soils. Excavation is needed to allow placement of the new irrigation piping, cement pads, trees, plants and shade structure. The project is anticipated to take place over the course of 15 months. No road closures will take place, all construction work will take place on CVWD property. The proposed project site is located in rural residential areas, and is not within a conservation area of the Coachella Valley Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan (CVMSHCP).
Contact Information
Name
Adam McWey
Agency Name
Coachella Valley Water District
Job Title
Conservation Manager
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Email
Location
Cities
Palm Desert
Counties
Riverside
Regions
Unincorporated
Other Location Info
Coachella Valley Water District Operation Building Parking Lot located in Riverside
County at 75-525 Hovley Lane, East, Palm Desert, CA, 92211
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
§15303, § 15304
Reasons for Exemption
State CEQA Guidelines §15303 (New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures) consists of construction and location of limited numbers of new, small facilities or structures; installation of small new equipment and facilities in small structures; and the conversion of existing small structures from one use to another where only minor modifications are made in the exterior of the structure. Examples of the exemption include, but are not limited to:
( d) Water main, sewage, electrical, gas, and other utility extensions, including street improvements, of reasonable length to serve such construction.
(e) Accessory (appurtenant) structures including garages, carports, patios, swimming pools, and fences.
State CEQA Guidelines § 15304 (Minor Alterations to Land) consists of minor public or private alterations in the condition of land, water, and/or vegetation which do not involve removal of healthy, mature, scenic trees except for forestry and agricultural purposes. Examples include but are not limited to:
(a) Grading on land with a slope of less than 10 percent, except that grading shall not be exempt in a waterway, in any wetland, in an officially designated (by federal, state, or local government action) scenic area; and
(b) New gardening or landscaping, including the replacement of existing conventional landscaping with water efficient or fire resistant landscaping; and
( c) Filling of earth into previously excavated land with material compatible with the natural features of the site.
County Clerk
Riverside
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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