Littell Major Grading Permit: GRAD2024-00157 / ED25-0158
Summary
SCH Number
2025080188
Public Agency
San Luis Obispo County
Document Title
Littell Major Grading Permit: GRAD2024-00157 / ED25-0158
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
8/6/2025
Document Description
A request for a Major Grading Permit (GRAD2024-00157) to allow for a new workshop and accessory dwelling unit (ADU). The proposed project will result in approximately 18,200 square-feet of site disturbance on the approximately 5-acre parcel, including 1200 cubic-yards of cut and fill. The proposed project is within the Residential Rural land use category and is located at 1725 Corbett Highlands rd, in the San Luis Bay Inland Sub-area of the South County Planning Area.
Contact Information
Name
Dane Mueller
Agency Name
County Of San Luis Obispo
Job Title
Planner II
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Email
Name
Bill and Judi Littell
Agency Name
Applicant
Job Title
Owners
Contact Types
Project Applicant
Phone
Email
Location
Cities
Arroyo Grande
Counties
San Luis Obispo
Regions
Unincorporated
Zip
93420
Total Acres
5
Parcel #
044-273-009
Other Location Info
1725 Corbett Highlands rd Arroyo Grande, CA 93420
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Other
Type, Section or Code
15061(b)(3)
Reasons for Exemption
The project includes grading for the construction of a new workshop and ADU within the Residential Rural land use category with access to an existing roadway network that is adequate to serve the project. The applicant has designed the grading and site improvements to minimize site disturbance, and the project has a relatively small area of disturbance of approximately 18,200 square-feet. The project area is located within the San Luis Bay Inland Sub-area of the South County Planning Area and is subject to the applicable sub-area standards outlined in County Code Section 22.96.030. This project, as proposed, meets all applicable community standards for development. Additionally, the project is proposed to be placed in an area that is not categorized as prime farmland and will not convert prime farmland to a non-agricultural use.
The project area does not fall within San Joaquin Kit Fox habitat and, therefore, does not require related mitigation measures. The project will not result in the removal of any heritage oak trees or other native tree species. A special status species, Pismo Clarkia, is known to occur in the vicinity of the project site; therefore, an in season botanical survey focused on Pismo Clarkia was submitted by Padre Associates on July 9th, 2025. The botanical survey indicates that Pismo Clarkia is not present on the subject parcel. No special status animal species known to exist within the project area. Therefore, the project will maintain compliance with local policies and ordinances protecting biological resources.
“The Project site is located within … rural Arroyo Grande, California. An unnamed ephemeral creek is located approximately 0.53-mile to the northwest. The Project site is bounded on all sides by rural residential parcels. The Project involves the construction of a new workshop…
The records search identified one previously recorded cultural resource, a prehistoric occupation site, within the Project site. Therefore, [an Archaeological Resources Assessment was requested by County Planning Staff and completed by Padre and Associates on July 9, 2025, which recommended the following avoidance and minimization measures be implemented]:
a) Prior to Project implementation, a consultant and construction-worker cultural resources awareness training program for all personnel involved in project implementation shall be developed in coordination with the County-qualified archaeologist. The training will be conducted by the project archaeologist and must be provided to all Project employees, contractors, subcontractors, and other workers prior to their involvement in any ground-disturbing activities, with subsequent training sessions to accommodate new personnel becoming involved in the Project.
b) A County-qualified archaeologist and Native American representative shall be retained
c) to monitor all Project related earth disturbances within the Project site.
d) The archaeologist shall have the authority to temporarily halt or redirect Project construction in the event that potentially significant cultural resources are exposed. Based on monitoring observations and the actual extent of project disturbance, the lead archaeologist shall have the authority to refine the monitoring requirements as appropriate (i.e., change to spot checks, reduce or increase the area to be monitored) in consultation with the County.
e) If human remains are unearthed, State Health and Safety Code Section 7050.5 requires that no further disturbance shall occur until the County Coroner has made the necessary findings as to origin and disposition pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 5097.98. If the remains are determined to be of Native American descent, the coroner has 24 hours to notify the Native American Heritage Commission. The lead County shall be notified of any such find”(Padre, 2025).
The project area has low potential for liquefaction, lateral spreading, or landslide based upon the site’s Official Maps of the County of San Luis Obispo Land Use Element
Existing grading and drainage regulations will adequately address surface water quality impacts during construction and permanent use of the residence. The project will conform to the applicable General Plan and Area Plan standards, and no measures beyond those required by County Code are necessary to address the environmental impacts associated with the proposed project.
County Clerk
San Luis Obispo
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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