SLO Country Club / Minor Use Permit; N0DRC2023-00056 (ED24-102-PL)

2024080165

San Luis Obispo County

NOE - Notice of Exemption

8/6/2024

8/6/2024

Shawn Monk

County of San Luis Obispo

Planner

Lead/Public Agency

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

(805) 781-4147

smonk@co.slo.ca.us

93401

044-571-026

255 Country Club Drive, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

Other

Section 15061 (b)(3)

The project qualifies for a General Rule Exemption under CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3), which states that activities are exempt from CEQA if it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment. Given the specific nature of this project, which involves actions that do not result in any substantial physical changes to the environment, it clearly falls under this exemption. This project involves administrative, organizational, or personnel-related activities, or involves activities that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes to the environment. Thus, the project inherently carries no potential for significant environmental impact, justifying its classification under the General Rule Exemption. In addition, the project site is not located within a sensitive resource area or critical habitat. The installation of each pole will result in minimal ground disturbance, affecting less than a square meter of surface area per pole. Unlike reflective surfaces that often cause fatal bird strikes, the netting will be bird friendly. Furthermore, the netting may serve as an additional resting place for various bird species, enhancing the site's compatibility with local wildlife. The extension will be 121 feet in length and will be located between the existing tennis courts and golf green. Both facilities are used daily and are highly disturbed. These factors contribute to the determination that the project will have no significant impact on the environment, supporting its qualification for a General Rule Exemption.

Categorical Exemption

Section 15301; Class 1

The project is also eligible for an Existing Structures Exemption under CEQA Guidelines Section 15301, which includes the operation, repair, maintenance, permitting, leasing, licensing, or minor alteration of existing public or private structures, facilities, mechanical equipment, or topographical features, involving negligible or no expansion of existing or former use. The scope of work proposed aligns with these criteria as it pertains to the repair and maintenance of existing structures without significantly increasing the existing capacity or footprint of the facilities. Such activities do not involve significant alterations to the structures or the environment, ensuring minimal environmental impact. This classification ensures the project benefits from streamlined CEQA processing while still adhering to environmental protection principles.