Design Review 24-01

2025010635

City of Rosemead

NOE - Notice of Exemption

1/21/2025

1/21/2025

Annie Lao

City of Rosemead

Acting Planning and Economic Development Manager

Lead/Public Agency

8838 E. Valley Blvd.
Rosemead, CA 91770

(626) 569-2144

alao@cityofrosemead.org

Dante Alday, PE

California American Water

Sr. Construction Engineer

Project Applicant

3906 Church Road
Mt Laurel Township, NJ 08054

(856) 727-6138

Dante.Alday@amwater.com

91770

5389-007-017

8657 Grand Avenue

Categorical Exemption

Section 15332, Class 32

1) The project is consistent with the applicable general plan designation and all applicable general plan policies as well as with applicable zoning designation and regulations; The Rosemead General Plan land use designation for the project site is Office/Light Industrial and the project site is zoned Light Manufacturing (M-1). The project is consistent with the applicable General Plan Land Use designation and all applicable General Plan policies as well as with all applicable zoning designation and regulations as utility and office uses are permitted by-right. 2) The proposed development occurs within city limits on a project site of no more than five acres substantially surrounded by urban uses; The project site is approximately 3.96 acres and is located within the City of Rosemead’s municipal boundaries. The project site is surrounded by urban uses. Specifically, it is bounded by AT&T’s Construction Department Office to west, Southern Pacific Railroad to the north, and residential use to the east and south. The surrounding areas extending further north, east, south and west of the project site are characterized by a mix of residential, commercial, and industrial uses, such as single-family dwellings, nurseries, utility substations, and offices. 3) The project site has no value as habitat for endangered, rare, or threatened species; The project site has no value as habitat for endangered, rare, or threatened species as it has been operational for more than 10 years and has been completely developed with office buildings, a paved surface parking lot, and other site improvements. There is no habitat on the project site to support any endangered, rare, or threatened wildlife species, and there are no wetlands, riparian habitat, or other sensitive natural communities either on or adjacent to the project site. In addition, there are no plants or wildlife on the project site that are designated or would qualify as a sensitive or special status specie in local or regional plans, policies, or regulations by the California Department of Fish and Game or the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services. 4) Approval of the project would not result in any significant effects relating to traffic, noise, air quality, or water quality, and; Traffic The project site currently has 37 employees and will maintain the same number of employees during and after construction. The operation center operates between the hours of 7:00 A.M. and 5:30 P.M., Monday through Friday and is closed on weekends. The project is not expected to result in any substantial increase in the site’s traffic generation and the project can be expected to result in a nominal if not zero change in trip generation. Hence, it can be concluded that the project screens out for significant VMT impacts and is found to have a less than significant VMT effect on the circulation system and roadway network. Noise Both the construction and operation of the project will comply with all requirements of Rosemead Municipal Code (RMC), Chapter 8.36 – Noise Control. A condition of approval has been incorporated to ensure all noise levels comply with Chapter 8.36 of the RMC. Therefore, the project will not cause significant noise impacts. Air Quality Employee vehicle trips will be the primary source of emissions associated with the project’s operations. The operation center will maintain the same number of employees during and after construction, so any emissions from operation of the project will be well below South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) thresholds. A condition of approval has been incorporated requiring all project construction to comply with all applicable SCAQMD and city standards regarding construction equipment and fugitive dust to minimize any air quality impacts. Therefore, the project will not cause significant air quality impacts. Water Quality The project will include an extensive on-site filtration and below-grade stormwater detention system. By reducing the amount of runoff that will be generated from the project site, the project will reduce and have a less than significant impact on erosion or siltation, both onsite and offsite. Preparation and compliance with the standard Urban Stormwater Mitigation Plan and all applicable best management practices will ensure that the project meets all applicable water quality and water discharge requirements and has no significant water quality impacts. The new and improved landscaped areas throughout the site will allow for onsite percolation and filtration of storm water and reduce the amount of surface water runoff that is generated from the project site. 5) The site can be adequately served by all required utilities and public services. The project site is already served by Southern California Edison (electricity), the Southern California Gas Company (gas) and California American Water (water). Sanitary sewer service is provided by the City of Rosemead in collaboration with the Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts. Recycling and waste collection are provided by Republic Services, Inc. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (Temple Station) and Los Angeles County Fire Department (Station 42) provide emergency response services. The project site will continue to be adequately served by all agencies going forward. Accordingly, Design Review 24-01 is classified as a Class 32 Categorical Exemption pursuant to Section 15332 of CEQA guidelines.