Bill and Jim Keese Grading Permit (GRAD2024-00041 / ED24-165)

2024110244

San Luis Obispo County

NOE - Notice of Exemption

11/7/2024

11/7/2024

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

93424

0.14

076-222-025

208 Front Street, Avila Beach, CA 93424

Other

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 2 single-family residences located in an urbanized area within the Residential Multi-Family land use designation. 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 0.14 acres. The project area is located within the Avila Beach Specific Plan area of the San Luis Bay Coastal Planning Area and is subject to the applicable planning area standards and specific plan. 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 will not result in the removal of any heritage oak trees or other native tree species, and there are no special status plant species known to exist within the project area. The site is infill and has development on the two sides of the property. The site is not adjacent to mapped blueline streams. Therefore, the project will maintain compliance with local policies and ordinances protecting biological resources. 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’s construction 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. Based on the SLO APCD CEQA handbook (Table 1-1), the project won’t result in operational impacts. Based on the SLO APCD CEQA handbook (Table 1-1) the project won’t result in construction impacts. Additionally, construction is temporary in nature and will employ the use of standard best management practices (BMPs) to reduce emissions from construction activities, as mentioned above. Cultural Resources / Tribal Cultural Resources The proposed project is consistent with this section. The project site is located in a mapped Archeologically Sensitive Area. A Phase 1 Archeological survey was conducted by Central Coast Archaeological Research Consultants in September 2020. The records search and field survey did not identify the presence of previously undocumented archaeological resources within or near the project area. Therefore, no impacts to significant cultural resources are anticipated and the project is conditioned to stop work in the event of an inadvertent discovery. In compliance with County Code Section 23.07.104, a monitoring plan is required to be submitted prior to the issuance of grading and or construction permits and the plan is to be prepared by a County approved archeologist for review and approval by the County Planning and Building Department. The intent is to monitor construction during ground disturbing activities. In the event buried or otherwise unknown cultural resources are discovered during construction, pursuant to County Code Section 23.07.104 and Condition 23 and 24 of DRC2021-00041 work shall be suspended, and the appropriate recommendations within the monitoring plan shall be adhered to, including consultation with a qualified archeologist, historian, and County personnel if necessary. If the coroner determines the remains are Native American, the Native American Heritage Commission will be contacted, and the remains will be protected until a decision is made on their final disposition. Geology and Soils A geotechnical engineering report prepared by Beacon Geotechnical on October 9, 2020, analyzed the project site for possible liquefaction and landslide potential. The report determined that the potential for liquefaction and/or lateral spreading is low, and the site topography and exposed soil types indicate that the potential for landslides is minimal. No evidence of previous landslides was observed at the site. The report provided grading parameters, and the project is conditioned to comply with the recommendations as part of each grading permit. The Geotechnical Engineering 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. Lastly, the County’s General Plan Safety Element maps indicate the site has low potential for landslides and liquefaction and is not located within the County’s Geologic Study Area – a combining designation applied by the official maps within the Land Use Element to areas where geologic and soil conditions could present new developments and their users with potential hazards to life and property. Other CEQA Issue Areas In addition, based on the project description, baseline conditions, and analysis of the project’s potential environmental impacts, it has been determined that the project has no possibility to cause a significant impact on the environment relative to any CEQA issue areas that were not explicitly discussed. Conclusions As conditioned and in compliance with County Code, the project will conform to the applicable General Plan and Area Plan Standards, and no mitigation measures are necessary to address the environmental impacts associated with the proposed project. No measures beyond those required by County Code or as implemented by BMPs for construction 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 on the environment, and the project is exempt from CEQA. This determination is based on the following documents and technical studies: • Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR) and CEQA Findings (certified by the Board of Supervisors for the Avila Beach Specific Plan on April 11, 2000) • Cultural Resource Study by Central Coast Archaeological Research Consultants in September 2020 • Geotechnical Engineering Report by Beacon Geotechnical on October 9, 2020.