Coronel Path Project

Summary

SCH Number
2023110129
Public Agency
City of Santa Barbara
Document Title
Coronel Path Project
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
11/3/2023
Document Description
This Project is located along Coronel Path between Loma Alta Drive and Coronel Street, and west of McKinley Elementary School. During the January 2023 storm events, the hillside at the bottom of Coronel Path sloughed due to heavy rain. The Project will address the erosion of the hillside at the bottom of Coronel Path. The Project proposes to add plants at the toe and top of the slope; install jute netting along the middle of the slope with a combination of hydroseeding, straw waddles, and topsoil; and install temporary irrigation on the slope. Temporary K-Rails will be placed along the base of the hillside until vegetative establishment has occurred. The designated plant species to be installed will be California Rose or Toyon, or as designated by USDA NRCS staff. The Project will be funded by a grant from the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) through the Emergency Watershed Protection Program (EWPP) and local City match, therefore National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) compliance will be prepared by others. One unknown species tree and three unknown species tree stumps are proposed for removal to stabilize the soil and accommodate new plantings and jute netting installation. No new trees are proposed to replace the one unknown species tree and the three unknown species tree stumps. The four Blue Gum Eucalyptus trees on the hillside will remain due to their strong root system which will help maintain the slope and provide erosion control but will be trimmed to prevent growth and branch development. Preventing growth and branch development for the identified Blue Gum Eucalyptus trees is necessary due to the risk of branches falling onto the path and injuring pedestrians or falling on private properties.

Contact Information

Name
Kaitlin Mamulski
Agency Name
City of Santa Barbara
Job Title
Project Planner
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency

Location

Cities
Santa Barbara
Counties
Santa Barbara
Regions
Southern California
Cross Streets
Coronel Path between Loma Alta Drive and Coronel Street, west of McKinley Elementary Schoo

Notice of Exemption

Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
15301 (c) Existing Facilities
Reasons for Exemption
CEQA Guidelines Section 15301 (c) Existing Facilities. This Project meets Section 15301 Existing Facilities Class 1 (c) categorical exemption, because the repair and maintenance of the existing pedestrian and bicycle pathway does not result in an expansion of use or capacity. Geology. High landslide potential, high to very high erosion potential, varying expansive soils (low to high), and moderately shallow to potentially shallow groundwater is present within the Project site. Ground disturbing activities are expected to be at a maximum of 8 to 10 feet deep to remove three existing unknown species tree stumps. The intent of the Project is to stabilize the soil from sluffing onto the pathway by adding K-Rails, jute netting and ground cover plantings to aid in securing the sloped areas adjacent to the path, therefore the geologic effects are considered beneficial. Noise. The removal and grading of the existing conditions will generate noise and vibration due to tree stump removal, grading, and site preparation of the existing condition. The replacement method will also create noise and vibration due to the trimming of tree branches, tree and stump removal using an excavator, installation of temporary K-Rails, temporary dust control, and hydroseeding. However, the exact equipment will be determined closer to the time of construction by the contractor. A letter will be sent out to residences and businesses in the area and the construction will be limited to business hours consistent with the City’s 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. One unknown species tree and three unknown species tree stumps are proposed for removal to stabilize the soil and accommodate new plantings and jute netting installation. Four Blue Gum Eucalyptus trees are proposed to be trimmed to prevent growth and branch development. Coordination with the Street Tree Advisory Committee will occur throughout the tree and stump removal and tree trimming 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 proposed 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 1 and September 30 each year. Visual. The Project includes removal of one unspecified tree and three unspecified tree stumps, placement of jute netting and ground cover plants to stabilize slopes adjacent to a public path. The visual character of the path is currently disturbed by the soils running onto the pathway, upon implementation of the Project components the visual character of the path will be moderately enhanced by the increased vegetation, removal of stumps and stability of the soils. In conclusion, the repair and maintenance Project will address the current hillside sloughing and prevent future erosion along the hillside at the bottom of Coronel Path. 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 15301 (c) Existing Facilities Class 1 categorical exemption of the CEQA Guidelines.
County Clerk
Santa Barbara

Attachments

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