Brallier Family Trust Garage

2025061119

Santa Barbara County

NOE - Notice of Exemption

6/24/2025

6/24/2025

Sam Brodersen, Planner

County of Santa Barbara - Planning and Develoment

Planner

Lead/Public Agency

123 E. Anapamu Street
Santa Barbara, CA 93101

(805) 568-2092

brodersensr@countyofsb.org

Don Swann

Don Swann Architects

Applicant

Project Applicant

216 Northridge Road
Santa Barbara, CA 93105

(805) 687-2086

swanncastle@cox.net

93117

1.3

079-272-007

Categorical Exemption

15303

Section 15303 exempts construction and location of limited numbers of new, small facilities or structures, installation of small new equipment and facilities in small structures, and the conversion of existing small structures from one use to another where only minor modifications are made in the exterior of the structure. This exemption includes accessory structures, such as garages. The construction of a relatively small detached accessory structure falls within the boundaries of this Exemption. The proposed project does not involve unusual circumstances, including future activities, resulting in or which might reasonably result in significant impacts which threaten the environment. The exceptions to the categorical exemptions pursuant to Section 15300.2 of the State CEQA Guidelines are: (a) Location. Classes 3, 4, 5, 6, and 11 are qualified by consideration of where the project is to be located – a project that is ordinarily insignificant in its impact on the environment may in a particularly sensitive environment be significant. Therefore, these classes are considered to apply all instances, except where the project may impact on an environmental resource of hazardous or critical concern where designated, precisely mapped, and officially adopted pursuant to law by federal, state, or local agencies. This exception to the categorical exemptions does not apply because no significant impacts that threaten the environment will result from the project. The proposed garage will be located within a developed residential parcel and set back approximately 46 ft from the mapped Environmentally Sensitive Habitat area and over 50 feet from the top of the bank of Tecolote Creek. No trees or native vegetation will be impacted by the project or is proposed for removal. The proposed project is located on a developed lot zoned for residential use. The garage and driveway will be located in close proximity to existing development on the parcel. (b) Cumulative Impact. All exemptions for these classes are inapplicable when the cumulative impact of successive projects of the same type in the same place, over time is significant. This exception to the categorical exemptions does not apply because the proposed project is located within an existing developed residential neighborhood where the construction of garages is both commonplace and allowable by ordinance. Additional structural development of the same type in the same place, over time, that is developed in conformance with applicable ordinance and policy regulations on residentially-zoned parcels in the vicinity would not result in a cumulatively significant impact. (c) Significant Effect. A categorical exemption shall not be used for an activity where there is a reasonable possibility that the activity will have a significant effect on the environment due to unusual circumstances. This exception to the categorical exemptions does not apply because there is no substantial evidence that the proposed project involves unusual circumstances, including future activities, resulting in or which might reasonably result in significant impacts which threaten the environment. The proposed garage will be located on the existing, paved driveway, and will not be located in a sensitive resource area. No removal of protected native or specimen trees/vegetation is proposed. (d) Scenic Highways. A categorical exemption shall not be used for a project which may result in damage to scenic resources, including but not limited to, trees, historic buildings, rock outcroppings, or similar resources, within a highway officially designated as a state scenic highway. This does not apply to improvements which are required as mitigation by an adopted negative declaration or certified EIR. This exception to the categorical exemptions does not apply because the proposed project is not adjacent to, or visible from, any highway or state scenic highway. (e) Hazardous Waste Sites. A categorical exemption shall not be used for a project located on a site which is included on any list compiled pursuant to Section 65962.5 of the Government Code. The project site is not included on the DTSC EnviroStor database, DTSC Cortese List, SWRCB GeoTracker database, or U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) Envirofacts database. The project site is not included on any list compiled pursuant to Section 65962.5 of the Government Code (hazardous and toxic waste sites). In addition, there is no evidence of historic or current use or disposal of hazardous or toxic materials on the project site. Therefore, this exception to the categorical exemption does not apply. (f) Historical Resources. A categorical exemption shall not be used for a project which may cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of a historical resource. This exception to the categorical exemptions does not apply because no archaeological or other cultural sites are known to exist on the property. Furthermore, the structures and landscaping on-site are not designated or deemed eligible to be historic resources. The project consists of a 1,300 sf detached garage and driveway, and no grading or ground disturbance are proposed.