Winter; C-DRC2021-00009; ED24-032

2024070778

San Luis Obispo County

NOE - Notice of Exemption

7/19/2024

7/19/2024

Jeremy Freund

County of San Luis Obispo Planning and Building Department

Senior Planner

Lead/Public Agency

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

(805) 781-5621

jfreund@co.slo.ca.us

93428

1.22

013-262-018 and 013-262-008

4005 and 4039 Burton Drive, Cambria, CA 93428

Other

Section 15061 (b)(3)

This project is covered by the general rule that the California Environmental Quality Act (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 following is an overview of the relevant environmental issue areas that were considered in this determination. Aesthetic and Visual Resources: Project complies with North Coast Area Plan and Coastal Zone Land Use Ordinance (CZLUO) for height requirements. The project is not visible from scenic roads and the average building height is 17-2 feet and is not visible from Scenic Route 1 and not from any of the single-family residences in southern Cambria. Despite the increased development footprint due to new structures, the visibility of the site does not change. Air Quality The site is located in an urbanized area and falls below the APCD's numerical threshold for daily emissions. The project is located within 1,000 feet of sensitive receptors (residential single-family homes). The project is conditioned and will comply with the County's standard fugitive dust control measures and the San Luis Obispo Air Pollution Control District's (SLOAPCD) standard measures for construction equipment for reducing nitrogen oxides (NOx), reactive organic gases (ROG), and diesel particulate matter (DPM) emissions from construction equipment. Per the SLOACPD referral response, the project will comply with Cal Green 2002 Energy Efficiency Standards. The project includes 31 parking spaces and is conditioned to provide 10% of parking spaces to be electrical vehicle (EV) Capable, 25% of parking spaces to be EV Ready w/ Low Power Level 2 (L2) Receptables, and 5% of parking spaces L2 (Electrical Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE). An asbestos building inspection report conducted for the property on March 29, 2015, determined three locations contained traces (<1%) of chrysotile asbestos. Asbestos-Containing Material (ACM) could be encountered during the demolition or remodeling of existing structures or the disturbance, demolition, or relocation of above or below ground utility pipes/pipelines (e.g., transite pipes or insulation on pipes). If this project includes any of these activities, then it is subject to the requirements stipulated in the National Emission Standard for Hazardous Air Pollutants (40CFR61, Subpart M - asbestos NESHAP) standards, which is regulated by the SLOAPCD. NESHAP requirements include but are not limited to: 1) Written notification to the SLOAPCD within at least 10 business days of activities commencing. 2) Asbestos survey report conducted by a Certified Asbestos Consultant. 3) Written work plan addressing asbestos handling procedures in order to prevent visible emissions. The requirement to comply with NESHAP regulations has been added to the conditions of approval. With the implementation of the above standard regulatory measures, potential air quality impacts are less than significant. Biological Resources The project is located on a previously disturbed site consisting of existing buildings, a parking lot, and impervious surfaces. The existing structures will remain in the same footprint. The new structures will be construct where there is existing development and setback a minimum of 96 feet from Santa Rosa Creek. Per the County CZLUO, projects are required to be setback a minimum 100 feet from riparian corridors. However, a Biological Resources Assessment (BRA) was prepared in December 2022 by PAX. The BRA evaluated the potential impacts to plants, wildlife, and natural communities (i.e., riparian habitat) and determined that the project will not have a potentially significant impact on the riparian habitat or biological resources. Additionally, the BRA concludes that the project does not introduce significant features that would affect wildlife movement through the surrounding natural habitats. It should be noted that the new structures will be located within an existing paved parking area, and the new parking area will be moved to be setback further from its current location and further from the creek to minimize potential stormwater runoff into the creek. The project proposes to incorporate the following avoidance and minimization measures: Worker Environmental Awareness Program; Noxious Weed Species control program during construction; preconstruction surveys and avoidance measures for herpetofauna and nesting birds; and stormwater best management practices to minimize potential stormwater impacts from runoff. These measures have been added as conditions of approval and impacts to biological resources will be less than significant. Cultural Resources/Tribal Cultural Resources A Phase I Archaeological Survey was conducted in September 2012 (C.A. Singer & Associates, Inc.). No evidence of archaeological or tribal cultural resources were found, and there were no recommendations for further investigation or monitoring. The original Brambles residence was built around 1874. A historic structure assessment was performed in compliance with the Secretary of Interior's standards (Cultural Resources Management Services, September 2012). Based on the assessment, the structure does not meet the four criteria to be eligible for state historical significance because the original structure has been obscured by additions and modifications over time. Therefore, the project will not impact a historical resource. The report did note that construction activities could potentially disturb subsurface historic remains such as foundations of earlier buildings, trash pits, or a privies if encountered. The project is located in archeological sensitive area and subject to CZLUO Section 23.07.104. Due to this and the potential for inadvertent discovery of subsurface cultural materials, the County is requiring archaeological monitoring of the site during construction per the requirements stated in CZLUO Section 23.07.104. With the implementation of these standard measures, which have been added as conditions of approval, potential impacts to cultural resources are less than significant. Geology and Soils The project parcel is located in a Geologically Study Area and has low and moderate potential for landslide and liquefaction. An engineering geological investigation (Geosolutions, April 11, 2023), geotechnical engineering report (Mid-Coast Geotechnical, Inc., December 6, 2012), and Soils Engineering Report (Geosolutions, April 12, 2023) were prepared for the project and peer reviewed by the County's geologist, Cotton Shires and Associates, on March 8, 2022 and August 24, 2023. Based on the geologic investigation, the proposed development is potentially constrained by liquefaction, lateral spreading toward the embankment of Santa Rosa Creek, flooding, settlement of alluvial soil materials, the potential for creek bank instability, the potential for fault rupture, and very strong seismic ground shaking. The geologic and geotechnical consultants have indicated that the liquefaction potential of the site is high. Geophysical studies of the site reveal that a trace of the Cambria fault is located, at depth, across the western portion of the site. The geophysical studies reveal that a likely fault is buried by alluvium west of the proposed structures, and that the alluvium does not appear to be disrupted by faulting. The geotechnical reports provide foundation recommendations that include supporting the new structures on mat slabs/structural slabs that can withstand differential movement associated seismic activity from the buried fault, or from liquefaction. These recommendations will be incorporated into the project design, and the project is conditioned to comply with the recommendations from the geologic studies. Therefore, potential geologic impacts will be less than significant. Transportation/Traffic A focused traffic impact study was prepared by Rick Engineering and reviewed by County Public Works. The traffic study determined there will be fewer trips generated by the proposed hotel than the existing uses. The traffic study analyzed traffic flow and determined the Level of Service (LOS) at the intersections currently operated at Level LOS A and was forecasted to operate at LOS B or better. The traffic study also conducted a signal warrant analysis that concluded installation of a traffic signal at the intersection is not recommended. There is one existing driveway along Burton Drive and the project proposes a new driveway along West Street. A site distance analysis was conducted and determined that the minimum required driveway site distance per Standard Drawing A-5a of the County of San Luis Obispo's 2011 Driveway Improvement Standards cannot be attained along Burton Drive due to the parked vehicles adjacent to the driveway, and compliance would require the removal of nine on-street parking spaces. There are no site distance obstructions along West Street. It should be noted that the driveway site distance along Burton Drive is an existing condition of the existing use, and the project proposes less traffic than the existing use; therefore, the project will not increase the intensity of traffic at this driveway. To address traffic flow, the applicant is proposing one-way on-site circulation that includes ingress at the Burton Drive driveway and egress at the West Street driveway. This can be achieved with signage and pavement markings. The project has been conditioned to implement one way traffic from Burton Drive to West Street, including sign. Additionally, County Public Works has conditioned the project to comply with B-3a urban driveway standards and A-5a and A-5b sight distance standards. Implementation of the on-site traffic circulation and compliance with Public Works standards will result in less than significant impacts. The traffic study also included a vehicle miles traveled (VMT) screening assessment in accordance with the Governor's Office of Planning and Research (OPR) Technical Advisory on Evaluating Transportation Impacts. OPR suggests that land development projects generating fewer than 110 vehicular trips per day may be assumed to have a less than significant transportation impact. The proposed 26-unit motel project is estimated to generate a total of 87 trips per day, which is a reduction of approximately 60 fewer daily trips from the existing use. As demonstrated in the traffic study, vehicular trips generated by the proposed project are not estimated to exceed the recommended screening threshold of 110 trips per day; therefore, traffic impacts are less than significant. Hazards and Hazardous Materials Oils, gasoline, lubricants, fuels, and other potentially hazardous substances would be used and temporarily stored onsite during construction activities. A spill or leak of these materials under accident conditions during construction activities could create a potentially significant hazard to the surrounding environment including the Pacific Ocean and Santa Rosa Creek. The project is required and conditioned to comply with standard stormwater best management practices during construction, which will address any potential impacts from the use of potentially hazardous substances. Therefore, impacts to hazards and hazardous materials is less than significant. Hydrology and Water Quality and Wastewater The project site consists of two Assessor Parcel Numbers (APNs) - APNs 013-262-018 and 013-262-008. The existing and recently historical use of the project site includes a restaurant and nursery. The project proposes a hotel and visitor serving use. Water and sewer services are provided by the Cambria CSD. The existing water allocation of the project site is 17 Equivalent Dwelling Unit (EDU's) based on the existing uses, which includes 3 EDUs from APN 013-262-018 and 14 EDUs from APN 013-262-008. The proposed water use of the project is 16.46 EDUs. This demonstrates the project will use less water than the allocated amount based on historical water use. Additionally, the Cambria CSD has issued two conditional water and sewer will serve letters for the project. Both letters approved continued water and sewer use for the proposed project; therefore, there are adequate water and wastewater services to serve the project. A final conditional will serve letter will be required prior to building permit issuance. The project proposes development on a site that has existing structures and a paved parking area. The new structures will be placed in the existing parking area and will be located further away from the creeks than the existing structures. The project also proposes to move the parking lot further away from Santa Rosa creek, which will result in less stormwater runoff from the existing condition of the parking lot. The project is conditioned to implement standard stormwater best management practices during construction. Furthermore, the project is conditioned to implement a stormwater control plan for ongoing operations and stormwater management, which will minimize potential stormwater impacts to Santa Rosa Creek. Based on the availability of water and sewer services, and with the implementation of stormwater best management practices and a stormwater control plan, the project will have less than significant impacts to hydrology, water quality, and wastewater. Other CEOA Issue Area In addition, based on the project description, baseline conditions, and analysis of the project's potential environmental impacts, the project will have less than significant or no impacts relating to the following: Agricultural Resources Energy Greenhouse Gas Emissions Land Use and Planning Mineral Resources Population and Housing Public Services Recreation Utilities and Service Systems Wildfire Cumulative Conclusions As conditioned, 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. Therefore, it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect and the project is exempt from CEQA. This determination is based on the following documents and technical studies: • Public Works Comments, August 16, 2021, and February 14, 2022 • Biological Resource Assessment Report by PAX Environmental Inc, December 2022 • Engineering Geology Investigation by Geosolutions, April 11, 2023 • Soils Engineering Report by Geosolutions, April 12, 2023 • Geotechnical Engineering Report by Mid-Coast Geotechnical, Inc., December 6, 2012 • Geologic Peer Review by Cotton, Shire and Associates March 8, 2022, and August 24, 2023 • Phase I Archaeological Survey by C.A. Singer & Associates, Inc., September 2012 • Historical Structure Assessment by Cultural Resource Management Services (CRMS), September 18, 2012 • Traffic Impact Analysis by Rick Engineering, October 4, 2022