Improvements to Storage Lot at 1550 W Palm Street by San Diego Unified Port District
Summary
SCH Number
2025060671
Public Agency
San Diego Unified Port District
Document Title
Improvements to Storage Lot at 1550 W Palm Street by San Diego Unified Port District
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
6/16/2025
Document Description
The proposed project would involve improvements to an existing vehicle and equipment storage lot in order to use the site as a cruise terminal truck staging and security screening lot by the San Diego Unified Port District (District) in the city of San Diego, California. Work to specifically complete the proposed project would involve clearing out the existing lot through the removal of approximately three (3) palm trees, (including two (2) Queen palms (Syagrus romanzoffiana) and one (1) Mexican fan palm (Washingtonia robusta)) and the demolition of minor structures including the existing guard booth, various curbs, concrete pads, concrete masonry unit walls, and landscape islands. Work would also include widening the existing entrance and exit gates, repairing pavement, replacing and installing irrigation systems, installing two (2) 6 feet x 8 feet guard booths, and re-striping the pavement, with ongoing inspections, maintenance, repairs, and replacement as needed. Construction of the proposed project is anticipated to occur in approximately late 2025 and would take approximately one (1) month to complete. The proposed project would not involve closures of the sidewalk or roads adjacent to the site, and all staging would occur within the footprint of the site . Construction equipment is anticipated to include jackhammers , saws, tractors with hydraulic hammers, dump trucks, forklifts, compactors, and concrete trucks. Construction hours would be Monday through Friday from approximately 7am-3:30pm.
With tree removal activities, if the bird breeding and nesting season cannot be avoided and removal must occur between February 15 and September 1, the District proposes that a breeding and nesting bird survey would be conducted prior to tree removal activities. If an active nest is located, all work within 500 feet of the nest would be postponed until such nest is vacated and the juveniles have fledged and when there is no attempt of a second nesting.
The three (3) trees to be removed for the proposed project would be replaced with three (3) Pygmy Date Palms (Phoenix roebelenii) or another drought-tolerant and/or water wise, non-invasive tree species.
Following construction and during typical operations, the proposed project would accommodate approximately twenty (20) 53-foot-long trucks which would be temporarily staged and screened for security purposes prior to delivering their supplies to the cruise ship terminals. Trucks would enter the lot, go through security screening, and exit the lot between approximately 6am-3pm during the cruise ship season (end of September through the beginning of June). Outside of the cruise ship season, the staging lot is anticipated to be empty, except for occasional truck security screening and staging for off-season cruises.
Contact Information
Name
Justin Huitema
Agency Name
San Diego Unified Port District
Job Title
Assistant Planner
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Name
Jacob Baker
Agency Name
San Diego Unified Port District
Job Title
Management Analyst
Contact Types
Project Applicant
Phone
Location
Cities
San Diego
Counties
San Diego
Regions
Southern California
Other Location Info
1550 West Palm Street, San Diego, CA 92101
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
CEQA Guidelines Sections 15301 (Class 1), 15302 (Class 2), 15303 (Class 3) and 15304 (Class 4)
Reasons for Exemption
The proposed project is determined to be Categorically Exempt pursuant to California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Sections 15301 (Existing Facilities), 15302 (Replacement or Reconstruction), 15303 (New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures) and 15304 (Minor Alterations to Land) and Sections 3.a.(1)(12), 3.b.(2), 3.c.(2) and 3.d.(5) of the District’s Guidelines for Compliance with CEQA because it would involve improvements to an existing vehicle storage lot to accommodate cruise terminal truck staging and screening that would involve a negligible expansion of use beyond that previously existing and would not result in a significant cumulative impact due to the continuation of the existing use, would consist of the reconstruction of an existing facility that would have substantially the same purpose and capacity, would consist of construction and location of new, small structures, and would result in no permanent effects on the environment. Sections 3.a.(1)(12), 3.b.(2), 3.c.(2) and 3.d.(5) of the District’s CEQA Guidelines are as follows:
3.a. Existing Facilities (SG § 15301) (Class 1): Includes operation, repair, maintenance, or minor alteration of existing public or private structures, facilities, mechanical equipment, or topographical features, involving negligible or no expansion of use beyond that previously existing, including but not limited to:
(1) Repair, maintenance or minor alteration of existing mooring facilities, floats, piers, piles, wharves, bulkhead, revetment, buoys, or similar structures; marine terminal facilities; airport facilities; and commercial industrial, or recreational facilities.
(12) Maintenance of existing landscaping, native growth, and water supply reservoirs.
AND/OR
3.b. Replacement or Reconstruction (SG § 15302) (Class 2): Includes replacement or reconstruction of existing structures and facilities where the new structure will be located on the same site and will have substantially the same purpose and capacity as the structure being replaced. This exemption includes, but is not limited to:
(2) Replacement or reconstruction of marine terminal facilities, and marine-oriented commercial, industrial, and public and commercial recreational facilities, including buildings, piers, piles, wharves, marine ways; railroads; airport facilities, runways, taxiways, aprons, and ancillary structures to those facilities; electrical and mechanical systems and equipment; where the new structure will be on essentially the same site as the structure replaced and will have substantially the same purpose and capacity as the structure replaced.
AND/OR
3.c. New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures (SG § 15303) (Class 3): Includes construction of limited numbers of new, small facilities or structures; installation of small new equipment and facilities in small structures; and conversion of existing small structures from one use to another with minor modifications to the exterior of the structure.
(2) Accessory (appurtenant) structures and mechanical equipment including, but not limited to, garages, sheds, railway spur tracks, pilings, temporary trailers, industrial equipment enclosures, fences, parking, on-site roadways, walkways and health and safety devices.
AND/OR
3.d. Minor Alterations to Land (SG §15304) (Class 4): Includes minor alterations in the condition of land, water and/or vegetation not involving removal of mature, scenic trees, including, but not limited to:
(5) New gardening or landscaping.
County Clerk
San Diego
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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