Beyer Blvd Pathway Beautification Project
Summary
SCH Number
2023120499
Public Agency
San Diego Metropolitan Transit
Document Title
Beyer Blvd Pathway Beautification Project
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
12/18/2023
Document Description
On December 14, 2023, MTS’ Board of Directors accepted the Clean California Cycle 2 Award for the Beyer Blvd Pathway Beautification Project (“Project”). The Project is located near the Beyer Boulevard Trolley Station 4035 Beyer Blvd, San Ysidro, CA 92173, and will span from W. Seaward Avenue to East Park Avenue. It will allow MTS to complete the beautification enhancements along the Community of San Ysidro Pathway to Beyer Boulevard Trolley Station.
On October 9, 2023, MTS was notified by the California Department of Transportation (CALTRANS) that MTS’s Clean California – Cycle 2 application for the Beyer Blvd Pathway Beautification Project received funding with a 25% match requirement.
MTS as the lead applicant requested design and construction funding for the Beyer Blvd Pathway Beautification Project, in partnership with Casa Familiar. Casa Familiar will support MTS in expanding its current public engagement efforts to beautify and improve the pathway along the trolley line from the San Ysidro community to the Beyer Station. Casa Familiar will ensure the engagement of a diverse demographic that is representative of the targeted area. Casa will host community outreach activities to gather project design feedback, facilitate the Artist procurement and assist with promoting the projects grand opening.
The current condition of the Project pathway is an unwelcoming strip of dirt and broken concrete along MTS’s right-of-way, which runs parallel to the UC San Diego Blue Line. The current pathway lacks lighting, adequate concrete to walk or bike, or other amenities, creating a blighted appearance and a low sense of security.
Through the Beyer Blvd Pathway Beautification Project, community residents and public transit riders will receive a modernized and safe access pathway to the Beyer Blvd Trolley Station and the San Ysidro Community. The Project includes concrete repair or replacement for safer and improved pedestrian and bike pathway access, energy efficient lighting, and drought-tolerant greenery and murals.
• The project is 570’ in length, or .1 miles, and runs parallel to the RR tracks between W. Seaward Ave and W. Park Avenue.
• Construction is anticipated to start in April 2025 and be complete by March 2026.
• The project location is in a developed portion of San Ysidro and is surrounded by paved streets and neighboring buildings. Construction staging will occur within the project footprint and on the local street adjacent to the project area, both of which are currently paved.
• The project area is a current pedestrian walkway. Portions of the walkway will be closed during construction, with detour routes noted for pedestrians. Construction staging may use one or two on street parking spaces. The walkway is not open to vehicle traffic and transit vehicles do not occupy street parking spaces, therefore the project will not interfere with transit circulation.
• A design team will be engaged to develop construction plans. The light levels will be evaluated and the location and direction of lighting will be modified to eliminate negative spillover impacts on adjacent properties.
The Project will reduce the amount of waste and debris, beautify and improve public space and advance equity for underserved communities.
Contact Information
Name
Kena M Teon
Agency Name
San Diego Metropolitan Transit System
Job Title
Grants Administrator
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency / Project Applicant
Phone
Email
Location
Cities
San Diego
Counties
San Diego
Regions
Citywide, Southern California
Cross Streets
West Seward Drive and West Park Avenue
Zip
92173
Jobs
10
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Statutory Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Pub. Resources Code, § 21080.25(b) (transportation project exemptions and criteria) Pub Resources Code, § 21080(b)(10),
Reasons for Exemption
The Project is statutorily and categorically exempt from environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”), Public Resources Code section 21000 et seq. and Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations, section 15000 et seq. (“State CEQA Guidelines”).
The Project is statutorily exempt under Public Resources section 21080.25, subdivision (b)(1) because it consists of pedestrian and bicycle facilities that improve safety, access, or mobility within the public right-of-way. The Project satisfies the criteria in subdivision (c) because MTS is a local agency caring out the Project and is the lead agency for the Project; the Project would not induce single-occupancy vehicle trips; the Project does not require demolition of affordable housing units; and the Project will be completed by a skilled and trained workforce.
The Project is also categorically exempt from environmental review under State CEQA Guidelines section 15301 (Class 1) as a transit related improvement project consisting of the operation, repair, maintenance or minor alteration of existing public structures, facilities, mechanical equipment, or topographical features involving negligible or no expansion of existing or former use. This includes, but is not limited to, existing sidewalks, bicycle and pedestrian trails and similar facilities, as well as restoration or rehabilitation of deteriorated or damages structures or facilities to meet current standards of public health and safety.
The Project is also exempt under State CEQA Guidelines section 15302 (Class 2) as the replacement or reconstruction of existing structures and facilities where the new structure will be located on the same site as the structure replaced and will have substantially the same purpose and capacity as the structure replaced.
Lastly, the Project is exempt under State CEQA Guidelines section 15304 (Class 4) because it consists of minor alterations in the condition of land or vegetation that do not involve removal of healthy, mature, scenic trees.
None of exceptions to the categorical exemptions in State CEQA Guidelines section 15300.2 apply. The Project is not located in a sensitive environment as the Project impact area is within disturbed areas of the site. The cumulative impact of successive projects of the same types in the same place over time would not be significant because the Project is limited in size, scope, and distance from any adjacent development and there are no reasonably foreseeable projects that would result in cumulative impacts with the Project. Additionally, the Project does not involve any unusual circumstances. The Project’s circumstances would not differ significantly from the circumstances typical of the class of projects covered by the categorical exemptions. Accordingly, there is no reasonable possibility the Project would have a significant effect on the environment due to unusual circumstances. Further, the Project would not result in damage to scenic resources within a highway officially designated as a state scenic highway, would not be located on a site designated pursuant to Government Code 65962.5 (hazardous waste site), and would not involve any improvements, modifications, or other changes to an historical resource.
County Clerk
San Diego
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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