2019-050 -Adopting Local CEQA Guidelines

Home Browse Search

Local Guidelines for Implementing the California Environmental Quality Act (2019) ACTIVITIES EXEMPT FROM CEQA (c) The project site is within either an incorporated city or a census- defined place with a population density of one thousand (1,000) persons per square mile, unless there is a reasonable possibility that the project would have a significant effect on the environment due to unusual circumstances or due to the related or cumulative impacts of reasonably foreseeable projects in the vicinity of the project. D. Specific Requirements for Affordable Housing Projects Near Major Transit Stops. (Reference: Public Resources Code Sections 21083 and 21159.24, and State CEQA Guidelines Section 15195.) CEQA does not apply to a residential project on an infill site within an urbanized area if all of the general requirements described above in Section A are satisfied and the following additional criteria are also met: (1) Within five (5) years prior to the date that the application for the project is deemed complete, community-level environmental review was certified or adopted. This exemption does not apply, however, if new information about the project or substantial changes regarding the circumstances surrounding the project become available after the community-level environmental review was certified or adopted; (2) The site is not more than four (4) acres in total area; (3) The project does not contain more than one hundred (100) residential units; (4) The project meets either of the following criteria: (a) At least 10% of the housing is sold to families of moderate income or rented to families of low income, or at least 5% of the housing is rented to families of very low income, and the project developer has provided sufficient legal commitments to ensure the continued availability and use of the housing units for very low-, low-, and moderate-income households at monthly housing costs; or (b) The project developer has paid or will pay in-lieu fees sufficient to pay for the development of the same number of units that would otherwise be sold or rented to families of moderate or very low income pursuant to subparagraph (a); (5) The project is within one-half mile of a major transit stop; (6) The project does not include any single-level building that exceeds one hundred thousand (100,000) square feet; (7) The project promotes higher density infill housing: 2019 City of Santa Ana Local Guidelines 3-11 ©Best Best & Krieger LLP