Fire Station No. 1 Temporary Station Relocation Project (C11502435)
Summary
SCH Number
2025071266
Public Agency
City of Petaluma
Document Title
Fire Station No. 1 Temporary Station Relocation Project (C11502435)
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
7/30/2025
Document Description
The Temporary Fire Station Project involves the establishment of temporary fire station during the renovation of Fire Station 1. The project consists of:
1. Minor regrading of the site to accommodate temporary structures and ensure proper drainage
2. Installation of paving for apparatus access, parking, and operational areas
3. Placement of a portable double-wide trailer to house firefighter living quarters and administrative functions
4. Construction of a temporary apparatus bay structure to shelter emergency vehicles and equipment
5. Extension of utility connections (water, sewer, power, and communications) from 2nd Street to service the temporary facilities
The project will have minimal traffic impacts during construction as all construction activities will occur onsite. Once operational, emergency vehicles will exit onto Petaluma Blvd South when responding to calls and re-enter via 2nd Street.
The temporary facility will be in place for approximately 18 months, beginning in late summer 2025 and continuing until the completion of renovations at Fire Station 1 (anticipated Fall 2026). Following this period, all temporary structures will be removed.
The purpose of this project is to maintain essential emergency response services for the Petaluma area currently served by Fire Station 1 without interruption during the renovation of the existing Fire Station 1 facility.
Contact Information
Name
Paul Geoghegan
Agency Name
City of Petaluma
Job Title
Project Manager
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency / Parties Undertaking Project
Phone
Location
Coordinates
Cities
Petaluma
Counties
Sonoma
Regions
Citywide
Cross Streets
Petaluma Blvd S, E Street, 2nd Street
Zip
94952
Total Acres
N/A
Parcel #
008-125-005
State Highways
101 and 116
Railways
SMART
Airports
Petaluma Municipal
Schools
McKinley, Petaluma High, McNear, St Vincent de Paul, Valley Oaks
Waterways
Petaluma River, Lynch Creek, Adobe Creek
Township
N/A
Range
N/A
Section
N/A
Base
N/A
Other Location Info
307 Petaluma Blvd S, Petaluma, CA 94952
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Small Structures (Section 15303), Minor Alterations (Section 15304), Infill Development (Section 15332)
Reasons for Exemption
The project consists of installation of a temporary fire station 1 to continue to provide fire protection services while the existing fire station 1 undergoes maintenance. All improvements will occur within the property located at 307 Petaluma Bld. South. There is negligible or no expansion of use beyond what currently exists and there are no cumulative impacts, unusual circumstances or other factors that would make the exemption inapplicable. Therefore, the project qualifies for categorical exemptions under CEQA Guidelines Class 3 (New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures) and Class 4 (Minor Alterations to Land). These exemptions apply to the installation of small new facilities and limited grading activities. The project involves minimal soil disturbance (estimated 300-500 cubic yards), installation of temporary structures, and connection to existing utilities. The project also qualifies for a categorical exemption under Class 32 (Infill Development Project), as the site is 0.44 acres, consistent with applicable General Plan land use and zoning regulations (as a public safety facility, fire stations are allowed by right within the mixed-se zone), the site is less than five acres, substantially surrounded by urban uses, and has no value as a habitat for endangered, rare, or threatened species. Further, approval of the project would not result in significant effects related to traffic, noise, air quality, or water quality, as the temporary fire station will operate on an interim basis while the existing nearby fire station undergoes upgrades. Finally, the temporary site is well served by existing utilities and public services.
County Clerk
Sonoma
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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