Dog Park

2024110498

City of La Puente

NOE - Notice of Exemption

11/15/2024

11/15/2024

Juan Galvan

City of La Puente

Associate Planner

Lead/Public Agency

15900 E. Main Street
La Puente, CA 91744

(626) 855-1538

jgalvan@lapuente.org

34°0'43.5"N 117°56'28.9"W

Valley Boulevard and Old Valley Boulevard

91744

1.27

8247-032-900 and 8247-032-024

The parcels, identified by parcel numbers 8247-032-900 and 8247-032-024, are located at the southeast corner of Valley Boulevard and Old Valley Boulevard, but no specific address has been assigned.

City-Owned Vacant Lot (No Address Assigned)

Categorical Exemption

Class 32; California Code of Regulations, title 14, section 15332. In-Fill Development

The proposed project involves the development of a new dog park on a vacant city-owned piece of land consisting of two separate parcels. Staff has determined that the project is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) under Section 15332 (Class 32: In-Fill Development Projects) of the CEQA Guidelines (Title 14, Chapter 3 of the California Code of Regulations) based on the following findings: a) The project aligns with the General Plan designation of Public Open Space, fulfilling Goal 5 of the Community Development Element. By contributing to a diverse array of parks in La Puente, it enhances the safety and attractiveness of local neighborhoods. Furthermore, it supports Policy 5.5 by transforming underutilized parcels into additional pocket parks. b) The proposed Project is located within the City’s jurisdiction, on approximately 55,420 square feet (1.27 acres) of land, which is less than 5 acres. Surrounding land uses include single-family homes to the north (across Valley Boulevard), the Union Pacific Railroad property to the south, and industrial business park to the northwest. c) The property holds no value as habitat for endangered, rare, or threatened species, as it is located on a previously City vacated roadway. In 1999, the City Council approved Development Agreement 99-599 and Tentative Parcel Map No. 25653 for the subdivision of the property at 16500 E. Valley Boulevard, which included plans for a 152,000 square foot industrial business park. Additionally, the project proposed realigning Old Valley Boulevard from an unsignalized “V” configuration to a signalized “T” configuration to address traffic concerns. Following the street's vacation, the area became an empty, irregular vacant parcel. The City has not previously developed this land; instead, it has been used for occasional use for seasonal sales of safe and sane fireworks, pumpkins, and Christmas trees. d) Approval of the project is not expected to result in significant impacts related to traffic, noise, air quality, or water quality. All construction activities will comply with the City’s requirements to minimize dust and noise. The proposed dog park and construction processes will not generate pollutants that could negatively impact water quality, as Low Impact Development (LID) best practices will be implemented, along with sediment and erosion control measures. Furthermore, the dog park is anticipated to have no significant traffic impacts, due to sufficient on-site circulation and parking access. Additionally, it is presumed to have a less-than-significant impact unless substantial evidence suggests otherwise, as these facilities are designed to meet local needs and are classified as local parks in the Project Type Screening. e) The site is well-equipped to accommodate all necessary utilities and public services. Existing infrastructure is readily available, allowing for easy access or reinstatement connection of utilities for the proposed dog park.