Aragon High School Photovoltaic Project

2024070464

San Mateo Union School District

NOE - Notice of Exemption

7/11/2024

7/11/2024

Yancy Hawkins

San Mateo Union High School District

Associate Superintendent, CBO

Lead/Public Agency / Project Applicant

650 N Delaware Street
San Mateo, CA 94401

(650) 558-2201

yhawkins@smuhsd.org

37°33'2"N 122°19'46"W

Alameda de las Pulgas and Woodland Dr

94402

15

034-440-010

CA 92

San Francisco international

Burlingame Intermediate, Hillsdale HS, Green Hills ES

900 Alameda de las Pulgas, San Mateo County: San Mateo

Statutory Exemption

21080.35 (rooftop and parking lot solar system exemption}

Rooftop/Parking Lot Solar Exemption The project would qualify for exemption under the CEQA rooftop/parking lot statutory exemption (CEQA Statutes, Section 21080.35). This exemption applies to rooftop and parking lot photovoltaic systems located on the same parcel as the existing buildings, with associated equipment not occupying more than 500 sq. ft. and not containing protected plants. This exemption does not apply if the associated equipment would otherwise require one of the following: (1) An individual federal permit pursuant to Section 401 or 404 of the federal Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. Sec. 1341 or 1344) or waste discharge requirements pursuant to the Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act (Division 7 (commencing with Section 13000) of the Water Code). (2) An individual take permit for species protected under the federal Endangered Species Act of 1973 {16 U.S.C. Sec. 1531 et seq.) or the California Endangered Species Act (Chapter 1.5 (commencing with Section 2050) of Division 3 of the Fish and Game Code). (3) A streambed alteration permit pursuant to Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 1600) of Division 2 of the Fish and Game Code. (e) This section does not apply if the installation of a solar energy system at an existing parking lot involves either of the following: (1) The removal of a tree required to be planted, maintained, or protected pursuant to local, state, or federal requirements, unless the tree dies and there is no requirement to replace the tree. (2) The removal of a native tree over 25 years old. (f) This section does not apply to any transmission or distribution facility or connection. The project would conform with the requirements of this exemption, and none of the exceptions are present on the site. Class 1 Exemption The CEQA Class 1 Exemption (Existing Facilities --cEQA Guidelines, Section 15301) applies to repairs and maintenance of existing facilities including interior or exterior alterations involving no or negligible expansion of the facilities, and restoration and rehabilitation of deteriorated structures and facilities, as well as health and safety improvements. The Project qualifies for the Class 1 exemption because it involves the minor alteration of existing facilities at the school and would not expand the school capacity or its use. The Project would result in net environmental benefits by reducing traditional electrical energy consumption at the Property. Class 11 Exemption The CEQA Class 11 Exemption (Accessory Structures, CEQA Guidelines section 15311} applies to construction or placement of minor structures accessory or appurtenant to existing commercial, industrial, or institutional facilities. The Project is also exempt from CEQA because it involves the construction of minor structures and improvements accessory to existing institutional facilities. Analysis of Possible Exceptions to Class 1 and Class 11 Exemptions The exemptions are subject to the following exceptions: • Cumulative Impact. This exception would apply if the project were to contribute to significant impacts to a resource in combination with other proposed new development nearby. The only other potentially overlapping projects at the school involve installing electric vehicle chargers in the school parking lots. While construction may overlap, both projects are minor and no cumulatively significant impacts would result. Therefore, this exception would not apply. • Scenic Highways. This exception would apply if the project were to result in damage to scenic resources within a scenic highway corridor. There are no highways or roadways in the project area or from which the project area can be seen that are designated as Scenic or are eligible for scenic designation. The roadway nearest to the project area that is eligible for scenic designation is the segment of State Route 92 west of Highway 280. The City of San Mateo General Plan does not designate any roadways in the project vicinity as locally scenic. Hillsdale Boulevard is indicated in the Urban Design Element of the General Plan as a major corridor in the City, but is not given any formal designation. The rooftop panels would not be visible in off-site views. The parking lot canopy and associated tree removal may be visible from up to three houses across Woodland Drive from the school, but would be partially screened by the remaining parking lot landscape trees. In any case, the visual impact would not be potentially significant. The new lighting may be visible, but would be shielded and limited to lighting the parking areas beneath the canopies. • Hazardous Waste Sites. This exception would apply if the project were to be located on a hazardous waste site listed pursuant to California Government Code Section 65962.5. A search of the State Envirostor database conducted on May 13, 2024, found no listed hazardous wastes sites on or near the school site. (https://www.envirostor.dtsc.ca.gov/public/map/?global_id=21880002). • Historical Resources. This exception would apply if the project were to potentially significantly adversely affect an historical resource. The proposed project includes a minimal alteration to an existing school building and parking lot, and therefore would not have the potential to adversely affect any historical resources. • Significant Effect. The exception would apply if the project would have the potential for a significant effect to the environment due to unusual circumstances. Unusual circumstances may include historic structures, hazardous materials contamination, protected species or habitats, and other similar conditions. There are no unusual circumstances on the site and there is no potential for significant effect, therefore this exception would not apply.

Categorical Exemption

15301 (existing facilities); 15311 (accessory structures)

Project would be a minor alteration of existing facilities (15301 ). Project also may be considered accessory structures to the existing institutional use (15311 ). Project would fall under parking lot and rooftop solar exemption because trees are not over 25 years old or protected by City standards. See discussion attached