License Agreement between the City and Ecocenter, Inc. (The Ecology Center) for Farming Operations and Agricultural-Focused Programming
Summary
SCH Number
2025080280
Public Agency
City of San Juan Capistrano
Document Title
License Agreement between the City and Ecocenter, Inc. (The Ecology Center) for Farming Operations and Agricultural-Focused Programming
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
8/7/2025
Document Description
Enter into a 20-year License Agreement, with two optional ten-year extensions, with Ecocenter, Inc. (The Ecology Center) for the use of 31750 La Novia Avenue. Under the License Agreement, The Ecology Center will implement its signature organic farming model and provide community programming for both children and adults on City-owned property located north of San Juan Creek Road and on the east side of La Novia Avenue.
Contact Information
Name
Matisse Reischl
Agency Name
City of San Juan Capistrano
Job Title
Assistant City Manager
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency / Project Applicant
Phone
Location
Cities
San Juan Capistrano
Counties
Orange
Regions
Citywide
Cross Streets
Del Obispo
Zip
92675
Total Acres
n/a
Parcel #
n/a
State Highways
California
Railways
railways within one mile
Airports
n/a
Schools
yes
Waterways
n/a
Township
n/a
Range
n/a
Section
n/a
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
State type and section number: Section 15332, Class 32 In Fill Development
Reasons for Exemption
This Project has been reviewed in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The City's Environmental Administrator has determined that the whole of the Project is categorically exempt from further review per State CEQA Guidelines, Section 15332, Class 32 (In-Fill Development Projects).
The Project is exempt from CEQA under the Class 32 exemption set forth in State CEQA Guidelines section 15332. The Project is consistent with the applicable general plan designation and all applicable general plan policies as well as with applicable zoning designations and regulations; the Project is consistent with the San Juan Capistrano General Plan and Title 9 of the San Juan Capistrano Municipal Code, Land Use. The Project occurs within city limits on a project site of less than 5 acres substantially surrounded by urban uses. A Biological Resources Assessment was prepared and concluded that the Project site has no value as a habitat for endangered, rare, or threatened species. Additionally, the minor nature of the Project would not result in any significant effects relating to traffic, noise, or air quality. Further, the proposed soil amendment and pest management products to be used for the farming operations have been reviewed by the City’s Engineering and Environmental Services Department and determined to be acceptable for use and have no water quality impact. Lastly, the site can be adequately served by all required utilities and public services, including but not limited to electricity, gas, garbage, water, and sewer. Based on the above conclusions, there is no reasonable possibility that the project would have a significant effect on the environment due to unusual circumstances, no substantial adverse change in the significance of a historic resource would be caused, and none of the exemption exceptions identified in CEQA Guidelines Section 15300.2 apply. The project is therefore categorically exempt from CEQA.
County Clerk
Orange
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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