Laserfiche WebLink
Ms. Daisy Gomez <br />June 16, 2020 <br />Page 2 <br /> <br />of up to 3 single family residences or apartments, duplexes and similar structures designed for not more than <br />six dwelling units. (CEQA Guidelines § 15303(a), (b).). <br />household size is 4.4 persons per household. The proposed project calls for the at least partial construction <br />and operation of 200-250 beds. This well-exceeds the equivalent of six dwelling units. <br /> <br />Further examples of the Class 3 exemption include a store, motel, office, restaurant or similar structure <br />not exceeding 2,500-square-n urbanized areas, this example includes up to four such <br />commercial buildings not exceeding 10,000-square-feet in certain circumstances. (CEQA Guidelines § <br />15303(c).) The Office of Planning and Research has interpreted this to mean a maximum total of 10,000- <br />square-feet, not 40,000-square-feet. (See, Technical Advisory on Evaluating Transportation Impacts in CEQA, <br />p. 12, fn. 19 (December 2018) \[CEQA provides a categorical exemption for existing facilities, including <br />additions of up to 10,000-square-feet.\].) Here, assuming Santa Ana intends to rely on the Class 3 exemption <br />for the conversion of uses, the structure is described as 29,503-square-feet or nearly 3 times the size <br />permitted in the Class 3 example. And the staff report appears to describe a 16,000-square-foot second-floor <br />addition. This also exceeds the 10,000-square-foot maximum construction or addition described in the <br />exemption. <br /> <br />The Class 4 exempti <br />vegetation which do not involve removal of healthy, mature, scenic trees except for forestry or agricultural <br />: grading; landscaping; minor temporary uses of <br />land having negligible or no permanent effects on the environment, such as sales of Christmas trees; minor <br />trenching and backfilling; and the creation of bicycle lanes, among others. While this exemption may apply <br />to a part of the proposed project, the staff report does not evaluate which part of the project this is intended <br />to cover. In order to determine the project to be categorically exempt from CEQA, Santa Ana must analyze <br />the project as a whole and identify a combination of exemptions that cover the project as a whole. (See, e.g., <br />th <br />Association for a Cleaner Environment v. Yosemite Community College District (2004) 116 Cal.App.4 629, <br />640.) As explained herein, Santa Ana has failed to do so. <br /> <br />The Class 32 infill exemption applies to infill development projects that meet the following conditions: <br /> <br />(a) The project is consistent with the applicable general plan designation and all applicable general <br />plan policies as well as with applicable zoning designation and regulations. <br />(b) The proposed development occurs within city limits on a project site of no more than five acres <br />substantially surrounded by urban uses. <br />(c) The project site has no value as habitat for endangered, rare, or threatened species. <br />(d) Approval of the project would not result in any significant effects relating to traffic, noise, air <br />quality or water quality. <br />(e) The site can be adequately served by all required utilities and public services. <br /> <br />The staff report makes no attempt to explain how the proposed project qualifies for this exemption, nor does <br />The staff report provides <br />a single conclusory sentence asserting that the project qualifies. <br /> <br />Thank you for the opportunity to express our concerns regarding the proposed project. The City of Tustin <br />would appreciate a continuance by the Santa Ana City Council so that City staff can meet and discuss our <br />concerns and they can be addressed prior to a decision by the Santa Ana City Council. <br /> <br />