Sanderson Major Grading Permit; GRAD2023-00050 ED24-069

2024050484

San Luis Obispo County

NOE - Notice of Exemption

5/10/2024

5/10/2024

Jessica Macrae

County of San Luis Obispo

Planner

Lead/Public Agency

976 Osos Street, Room 300
San Luis Obispo, CA 93408

(805) 788-2714

jmacrae@co.slo.ca.us

044-562-014

Categorical Exemption

Section 15061 (b)(3)

This project is covered by the general rule that CEQA applies only to projects which have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment. It can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that this project may have a significant effect on the environment; therefore, the activity is not subject to CEQA. [Reference: State CEQA Guidelines sec. 15061(b)(3), General Rule Exemption]. The project includes grading for the construction of an accessory dwelling unit with a detached garage within the Residential Rural land use category. The applicant has designed the grading and site improvements to minimize site disturbance, and the project has a relatively small area of disturbance of approximately 0.41 acres. The project area is located within the San Luis Bay Sub-area of the South County Planning area and is subject to the applicable sub-area standards outlined in County Code Section 22.96.030. This project, as proposed, meets all applicable community standards for development. Additionally, the project is proposed to be placed in an area that is not categorized as prime farmland and will not convert prime farmland to a non-agricultural use. The project area does not fall within San Joaquin Kit Fox habitat and, therefore, does not require related mitigation measures. No special-status plant species were observed within the Biological Survey Area as outlined in the Biological Resources Assessment. Based on the desktop review, eight (8) special-status plant species were initially determined to have a moderate or high potential for occurrence, though, they were later deemed either absent or to have a low potential. These included mesa horkelia (Horkelia cuneata var. puberula), sand mesa manzanita (Arctostaphylos rudis), Nipomo mesa ceanothus (Ceanothus impressus var. nipomensis), Pismo clarkia (Clarkia speciosa ssp. Immaculata), Indian knob mountain balm (Eriodictyon altissimum), black-flowered figwort (Scrophularia atrata), chaparral ragwort (Senecio aphanactis), and Hoover’s bent grass (Agrostis hooveri). Therefore, the project will maintain compliance with local policies and ordinances protecting biological resources. The project is not located near a stream or in an area with known archaeological resources; therefore, impacts to cultural resources are not anticipated. In the unlikely event resources are uncovered during grading activities, implementation of County Code Section 22.10.040 (Archaeological Resources) would be required, which states: A. Construction activities shall cease, and the Department shall be notified so that the extent and location of discovered materials may be recorded by a qualified archaeologist, and disposition of artifacts may be accomplished in accordance with state and federal law. B. In the event archeological resources are found to include human remains, or in any other case when human remains are discovered during construction, the County Coroner shall be notified in addition to the Department so proper disposition may be accomplished. The project area has low potential for liquefaction, and moderately low potential for landslide. The Soils Report contains geologic elements with recommendations for construction that will be incorporated into the project. Existing grading and drainage regulations will adequately address surface water quality impacts during construction and permanent use of the residence. The project will conform to the applicable General Plan and Area Plan standards, and no measures beyond those required by County Code are necessary to address the environmental impacts associated with the proposed project.