Castle Hill Ranch Road Tree Permit Appeal, County File #CDTP22-00045
Summary
SCH Number
2024121211
Public Agency
Contra Costa County
Document Title
Castle Hill Ranch Road Tree Permit Appeal, County File #CDTP22-00045
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
12/31/2024
Document Description
A hearing on an appeal of the Zoning Administrator’s approval of a tree permit to remove six (6) code-protected trees and to work within the driplines of six (6) code-protected trees in order to construct an approximately 2,180-square-foot addition to the existing single-family residence and a new, approximately 1,200-square-foot, detached accessory dwelling unit (ADU) on the subject property. After receiving the appeal, the applicant revised the ADU design. Based on the revised design, the applicant requests approval of a Tree Permit to remove three (3) code-protected trees, including one California laurel, one black walnut, and one California buckeye, and to work within the driplines of nine (9) code-protected trees, including six valley oaks, one black walnut, and two California buckeyes, for construction of a 2,180-square-foot addition to the primary residence, the demolition of a shed, and to allow construction of a new, detached approximately 1,103-square-foot ADU. The revised project also includes a request for an exception to Title 9 creek structure setback requirements to allow the proposed addition and proposed ADU to be constructed within the creek structure setback area as required by Title 9 of the County code.
Contact Information
Name
Syd Sotoodeh
Agency Name
Contra Costa County, Department of Conservation and Development
Job Title
Senior Planner
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Address
Phone
Location
Cities
Walnut Creek
Counties
Contra Costa
Regions
Citywide, Countywide
Cross Streets
Castle Hill Ranch Road near Tice Valley Boulevard
Zip
94595
Parcel #
188-150-010
State Highways
I-680; SR-24
Railways
BART
Schools
Parkmead ES, Tice Creek School, Las Lomas HS, Murwood ES, Alamo
Waterways
Tice Creek, San Ramon Creek
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 4; California Code of Regulations, title 14, sections 15301[e],15301[l][4], 15301[h], 15303[a], 15304[b], 21080[b]
Reasons for Exemption
The proposed project is exempt under CEQA Guidelines, Section 15301(e), regarding “Existing Facilities” which exempts additions to existing structures that will result in a negligible increase of use, and Section 15303(a) regarding “New Construction” which exempts the construction of second dwelling units in a residential zone. In addition, the project is exempt under CEQA Guidelines, Section 15301(l)(4) which exempts the demolition of accessory structures. The project proposes the construction of an approximately 2,180-square-foot addition to an existing residence and the construction of a new, detached accessory dwelling unit (ADU) which would result in a second dwelling on the subject property, and proposes the demolition of an existing shed (accessory structure). In addition, ADUs are ministerial projects.
The proposed project is also exempt under CEQA Guidelines, Section 15301(h), regarding “Existing Facilities” which exempts maintenance of existing landscaping or native growth (e.g., trees), and Section 15304(b), regarding “Minor Alterations to Land” which exempts new gardening or landscaping including the replacement of existing landscaping with water efficient or fire-resistant landscaping. The project proposes the removal of three code-protected, mature trees and has requested a tree permit. The County’s Tree Preservation and Protection Ordinance (816-6) is intended to provide for the protection of trees on private property through restitution for tree removal such as planting replacement trees while allowing for reasonable enjoyment of private property rights and development. Staff recommends as a condition of approval a requirement that the applicant plant two replacement trees that comply with the County’s Water Efficient Landscapes Ordinance as restitution for the removal of the code-protected trees.
County Clerk
Contra Costa
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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