Las Alturas Road Emergency Repair Project
Summary
SCH Number
2024101330
Public Agency
City of Santa Barbara
Document Title
Las Alturas Road Emergency Repair Project
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
10/30/2024
Document Description
The purpose of this emergency Project is to stabilize a failed slope in the City ROW through the construction of a soil nail shotcrete wall. On March 6, 2024, the steep mountainside soil eroded down causing the property located at 1037 Las Alturas (019-113-018) to slide downslope. The landslide resulted in failures to the road’s shoulder and weakened the integrity of the road. The Project scope will include the demolition of the existing structure, site preparation for vertical construction, soil importation, drainage system installation, surveying, removal of two trees (American Sweetgum and Coast Live Oak), road repair, roadway restructure, shotcrete soil nail construction and relocation of a sewer main (capacity will remain the same) within the existing roadway.
Contact Information
Name
Kaitlin Mamulski
Agency Name
City of Santa Barbara, Public Works Engineering
Job Title
Project Planner
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Location
Cities
Santa Barbara
Counties
Santa Barbara
Regions
Southern California
Cross Streets
Las Alturas Road
Parcel #
109-113-018 and 019-113-009
Other Location Info
The Project is located at 1037 Las Alturas Road and the Public Right-of-Way (ROW). The limits of work are between 1117 Las Alturas Road and 1029 Las Alturas Road.
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Statutory Exemption
Type, Section or Code
15269 (b) and (c) Emergency Projects
Reasons for Exemption
CEQA Guidelines Section 15269 Emergency Projects. This Project meets the 15269 (b & c) Emergency Projects statutory exemption, because the slope repair and stabilization of the road and replacement of the sewer main in the ROW is necessary to mitigate the landslide which occurred on March 6, 2024, and because the repairs are necessary to maintain service essential to the public health, safety and welfare.
Biology. Per the City’s MEA Report, the Project site contains a coast live oak, coastal sage scrub and ornamental trees. Based on review of the biological resources at the site, no resources were sited necessitating additional biological review, Therefore, the effect on biological resources is considered less than significant.
Geology. Per the City’s MEA Report, the Project is located within an area of very high erosion potential and high landslide potential. A Landslide Hazard Report was prepared for the subject property by Cotton, Shires and Associates, Inc. in June 2024. This Project is being completed in response to storm and landslide related damage to the existing residence, sewer, and roadway and will improve the current hazardous road condition. Therefore, the effect on geology is considered a beneficial impact.
High Fire Hazard Area. The Project site is located within the Foothill High Fire Hazard Area. Work in High Fire Hazard Areas will not be permitted on “Red Flag Alert” days, as required by the Santa Barbara City and County Fire Departments. All work within High Fire Hazard Areas is subject to regulation and Best Management Practices (BMPs) as outlined by the Project Specifications and Contract documents. When BMPs are correctly implemented and utilized, the fire hazard is considered less than significant.
Noise. The Project will involve subsurface excavation or pile driving, and equipment with potential to create noise or vibration. There are residential properties near the Project site, therefore, to alleviate the potential for noise impacts to adjacent properties, no work will be allowed outside of the authorized working hours of 7 AM to 5 PM, Monday through Friday. Public notice will be provided to the adjacent property owners prior to construction. With these measures implemented, the temporary noise impacts are considered less than significant.
Trees. The Project will remove two trees that are in the extent of construction. The tree removals have been administratively approved by the Urban Forest Superintendent. No tree replacements are required. Given the review and approval of the tree removal by the Urban Forest Superintendent, the impacts to trees are considered less than significant.
In conclusion, the Project would repair damage from the March 2024 Storm related the landslide at 1037 Las Alturas Road. This Project meets the 15269 (b & c) Emergency Projects statutory exemption, because the slope repair and stabilization of the road is necessary to mitigate the landslide which occurred on March 6, 2024, and because the repairs are necessary to maintain service essential to the public health, safety and welfare. The Project is not anticipated to result in any significant impacts towards the environmental resources, therefore, the Public Works Department recommends that the Case Planner consider this Project as exempt, as defined in the CEQA review process classified under the 15269 (b & c) Emergency Projects, statutory exemption of the CEQA Guidelines.
County Clerk
Santa Barbara
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
Disclaimer: The Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation (LCI) accepts no responsibility for the content or accessibility of these documents. To obtain an attachment in a different format, please contact the lead agency at the contact information listed above. For more information, please visit LCI’s Accessibility Site.