City of Santa Paula EV Charging Stations

2023100512

California Energy Commission

NOE - Notice of Exemption

10/18/2023

10/18/2023

Brendan Burns

California Energy Commission

Air Pollution Specialist

Lead/Public Agency

715 P St MS-6
Sacramento, CA 95814

(916) 827-9236

brendan.burns@energy.ca.gov

Site 1 name: Anna's Cider Site 1 address: 801 E Main Street Site 1 coordinates: 34.35303419140226, -119.06407129306042 Site 2 name: Glen Tavern Inn Site 2 address: 134 N Mill Street Site 2 coordinates: 34.35359295671622, -119.05248489539326

Categorical Exemption

Cal. Code Regs., tit. 14, sec. 15301, 15303, 15304

Cal. Code Regs., tit. 14, sec. 15301 provides that projects which consist of the operation, repair, maintenance, permitting, leasing, licensing, or minor alteration of existing public or private structures, facilities, mechanical equipment, or topographical features, and which involve negligible or no expansion of use beyond that existing at the time of the lead agency’s determination, are categorically exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act. This project involves installation of electric vehicle charging stations at existing parking facilities. The electric vehicle charging stations will be installed on an existing paved parking lot and will involve negligible or no expansion of use. Therefore, the project falls within section 15301 and will not have a significant effect on the environment. Cal. Code Regs., tit. 14, sec. 15303 provides that projects which consist 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, are categorically exempt from the provisions of CEQA. This project consists of installation of new small equipment to existing sites. Specifically, the fast charging equipment to be installed is approximately the size of a pay phone and the level two charging equipment is the size of a parking meter. The equipment will be installed in existing, paved parking lots. Therefore, the project falls within section 15303 and will not have a significant effect on the environment. Cal. Code Regs., tit. 14, sect. 15304 provides that projects which consist 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 are categorically exempt from the provisions of CEQA. In this project, minor trenching may be necessary to lay two-inch conduit from the existing electrical panel to the proposed charging equipment. The trenching will take place on currently paved ground, will not involve the removal of any trees, and surface will be restored. Therefore, the project falls within section 15304 and will not have a significant effect on the environment.