Westside and Lower West Neighborhoods Transportation Management Plan Implementation Project

2025080880

City of Santa Barbara

NOE - Notice of Exemption

8/20/2025

8/20/2025

Kaitlin Mamulski

City of Santa Barbara, Public Works Engineering

Project Planner

Lead/Public Agency

630 Garden Street PO Box 1990
Santa Barbara, CA 93102

(805) 897-2685

kmamulski@santabarbaraca.gov

Westside, Lower West, Bel Air, Samarkand, Oak Park and West Downtown Neighborhoods

Categorical Exemption

15301 (c) Existing Facilities

Archaeology. The City’s Master Environmental Assessment (MEA) archaeological sensitivity map identifies that portions of the Project is within an area sensitive for potential subsurface prehistoric sites, within the Prehistoric Watercourse Buffer, American Period (1870-1900), Early 20th Century (1900-1925) and Hispanic-American Transition Period (1848-1870). However, the Project is proposed in areas already disturbed by existing roadway development at depths of approximately 4 feet below surface which would impact archeological resources. Since the Project roadway improvements would occur within these previously disturbed and developed areas, additional disturbances associated with the proposed Project would not impact archeological resources. An analysis of as-built documents was conducted alongside the proposed depths of disturbance for each project area to determine prior depth of ground disturbance. This analysis determined that all project areas with proposed ground disturbances have already been disturbed to depths which would impact archaeological resources. Therefore, additional disturbances associated with the proposed Project would not impact archaeological resources. The Project is subject to standard provisions per City Ordinance (SBMC 22.12), MEA Guidelines (2025), and standard City permit conditions, specifying procedures in the event of unanticipated discovery of archeological resources during earthwork in order to protect any important resources encountered. Procedures provide for temporarily redirecting or suspending activities until a qualified archaeologist is retained to evaluate the find and consult with a qualified Barbareño Chumash representative, and as needed any measures are implemented to protect important resources (such as mapping or collecting resources, preserving in place, and/or monitoring further earthwork). In the event human remains are encountered, State regulations also apply. With adherence to the Ordinance, MEA Guidelines, and standard permit conditions, the effect on archaeological resources is considered less than significant. Biology. The Project is located within the existing paved roadway facilities, which contains no important biological resources. The MEA identifies no biological resources in the public ROW. There is a small section of Coast Live Oak Woodland habitat near the proposed sidewalk infill along West Valerio Street. Also, a portion of the new path connecting from the end of Euclid Street to West Micheltorena Street is located within the Eucalyptus Grove habitat. No trees are proposed to be removed in these locations. Therefore, the Project’s effect on biological resources is considered less than significant. Creeks. Sidewalk infill along Euclid Street between the northern end and West Victora Street is located adjacent to Mission Creek. Standard construction-related measures for dust and equipment controls, water quality protection, and nesting bird protections such as pre-construction nesting bird surveys and Worker’s Environmental Awareness Program training, would be applied as applicable consistent with construction specifications. The Project shall be constructed in accordance with City Municipal Code and City staff will prepare documentation to receive Tier II, Tier III, and Tier IV Storm Water approval through the City of Santa Barbara Creeks Division, including infiltration testing, Best Management Practices (BMPs) implementation, and infiltration basin details. All storm water measures will be in accordance with City of Santa Barbara Creeks Division Storm Water BMP Guidance Manual. Due to the limited Project scope of work, no significant water pollutants would result from the Project construction. The Project is subject to appropriate City BMPs during construction in order to minimize and avoid water quality impacts and would be consistent with the City NPDES general permit. Therefore, the Project’s effect on creeks is considered less than significant. High Fire Hazard Areas. The MEA map identifies that the Project is located within a designated High Fire Hazard zone. A portion of the Project located on West Valerio Street is located within the Coastal Interior High Fire hazard limits area. The proposed scope of work is located within the City’s public ROW and is limited to sidewalk infill. Work in High Fire Hazard Areas will not be permitted on “Red Flag Alert” days, as required by the Santa Barbara City and County Fire Departments. All work within High Fire Hazard areas is subject to regulation and BMPs as outlined by the Project Specifications and Contract documents. Therefore, with adherence to the BMPs the Project would create a less than significant effect in terms of fire hazards. Geology. The MEA maps indicate that portions of the Project site may be subject to potential geologic and soil hazards associated with expansive soils, soil erosion, and shallow ground water. The Project is limited to surface reconfigurations of existing roadway facilities, and soil conditions are feasibly addressed with standard engineering design techniques to address any liquefaction or other seismic issues will be consistent with State standards for public safety. BMPs included in the construction specifications will be implemented to minimize any potential erosion effects during construction. Therefore, with adherence to BMPs and standard engineering techniques, the effect on geological hazards is considered less than significant. Historic Structures. The Project limits are adjacent to designated City Landmarks including Santa Barbara Junior High, National Guard Armory and Santa Barbara High School and is adjacent to eight designated Structures of Merit which are important for their architectural style. The City’s Architectural Historian has reviewed the proposal and concludes the Project as proposed would not compromise or significantly alter any of the contributing elements or setting of the adjacent City Landmarks. There are two City Landmarks in the project area, La Cumbre Junior High School (2225 Modoc Road) and the Girl Scout House (1838 San Andres Street). There are no proposed safety improvements next to the Girl Scout House. A multiuse path is proposed along City ROW adjacent to La Cumbre Junior High. The multiuse path would not have a significant impact on important historic resources. Given the minor nature of the Project’s safety improvements, the effect on historic structures is considered less than significant. Noise. The MEA map identifies that the Project is located in areas where the average ambient noise levels range from less than 60 A-weighted decibels (dBA) to greater than 70 dBA Day-Night Average Sound Level (Ldn) near Highway 101. Sensitive noise receptors in the area include La Cumbre Junior High School, Santa Barbara Community Academy, Elings Park, Oak Park, and the Westside Neighborhood Center. Noise from construction activities with the Project will be increased periodically during construction but will comply with the City construction noise guidance and criteria. Noise from construction personnel vehicle trips during the construction will also contribute to a temporary yet negligible noise increase along roadways due to existing noise conditions. Construction noise levels to sensitive receptors will be noticeable but temporary, occur within limited hours, and construction activities will avoid and minimize impacts to sensitive receptors to the maximum extent feasible. The Noise Ordinance (Chapter 9.16 of the SBMC) governs short-term or periodic noise, such as construction noise, operation of motorized equipment or amplified sound, or other sources of nuisance noise. The Noise Ordinance establishes limitations on hours of construction and motorized equipment operations and provides criteria for defining noise nuisance in general. The Project, including night work, will comply with Noise Ordinance regulations, therefore the short-term construction related noise impacts are considered less than significant. Trees. A total of 33 trees, 30 street trees (in public ROW) and 3 setback trees (on private property), are proposed to be removed with the Project. A total of six oak trees are proposed to be removed ranging in diameter at breast height from 4” to 54”. All other trees proposed for removal are non-native species, including Jacaranda, Eucalyptus, Red Flowering Gum, Red River Gum, Yucca Palm, Chinese Privet, Shamel Ash, Southern Magnolia, and Crape Myrtle. The stumps will be grinded in place; there will be no excavation of the removed trees. It is a Project goal to design around and retain as many trees as feasible. The trees proposed for removal conflict with the proposed new path and sidewalk. Pending further site evaluation, approximately 66 trees will be planted as part of the Project. The Project team will continue to work with the City Arborist throughout construction of the Project. The Project will include standard tree protection measures (such as fencing and no storage within root zone) as recommended by the City Arborist. The net addition of new street trees within the Project neighborhoods will balance out the loss of established trees in the community, and therefore the impacts to trees are considered less than significant. Visual. The above ground features of the Project include placement of new street lighting, traffic signals, and pedestrian activated RRFBs. The addition of traffic safety elements will improve circulation safety within the existing corridors along Modoc Road, Portesuello Avenue, and San Andres Street. No portion of the Project is located within the historic El Pueblo Viejo District. The MEA map does not identify any important open space, hill side or unique visual resource within the Project area. All proposed streetlights are consistent with the City’s Construction Standard Details, which have been previously approved through the design review boards/commissions. The scope of work is limited to safety enhancements within existing roadway facilities, therefore, the Project will have a less than significant effect on visual resources. The Project is not anticipated to result in any significant impacts towards the environmental resources, therefore, the Public Works Department recommends that the Case Planner consider this Project as exempt, as defined in the CEQA review process classified under the 15301 (c) Existing Facilities categorical exemption of the CEQA Guidelines.