Proposed Purchase of Property as an addition to Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve
Summary
SCH Number
2025090505
Public Agency
Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District
Document Title
Proposed Purchase of Property as an addition to Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
9/11/2025
Document Description
The project consists of the purchase of an approximately 38.88-acre property as an addition to the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District’s (District) Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve and concurrent adoption of a Preliminary Use and Management Plan (PUMP) for the property, including minor erosion control and sediment control measures that may be conducted if necessary to prevent erosion, as well as site clean-up and demolition of a small accessory structures. Minor resource management activities may be conducted to protect natural resources on the Property in accordance with adopted District programs and policies and their associated CEQA documents. The land would be permanently preserved as open space and maintained in a natural condition.
Contact Information
Name
Aaron Peth
Agency Name
Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District
Job Title
Real Property Planner
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Email
Location
Counties
Santa Clara
Regions
San Francisco Bay Area, Unincorporated
Parcel #
562-06-022
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
15301, 15316, 15325, 15330
Reasons for Exemption
Section 15301 exempts the operation, repair, maintenance, permitting, leasing, licensing, or minor alteration of existing public or private structures, facilities, or topographical features, involving negligible or no expansion of use beyond the existing uses. Section 15301 also exempts the demolition and removal of accessory structures. The PUMP will maintain the Property as status quo with no expansion or changes to its existing uses. The PUMP includes minor site improvements, such as signage and fencing, as needed, as well as the demolition and removal of small accessory structures. The PUMP also includes minor erosion control work as necessary, wildland fuel management, and minor natural resource management activities, covered under the adopted Resource Management Policies, Integrated Pest Management Program Guidance Manual, Wildland Fire Resiliency Program, the mitigation measures adopted pursuant to Final Environmental Impact Reports of the cited plans and policies, and the Open Space Maintenance and Restoration Program and Mitigated Negative Declaration, and regulatory permits as applicable.
Section 15316 exempts the acquisition of land in order to create parks if the land is in a natural condition and the management plan proposes to keep the area in a natural condition. The PUMP specifies that the land will remain in a natural condition and will be designated as an addition to the District’s Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve.
Section 15325 exempts transfers of ownership of interests in land in order to preserve open space. This acquisition will transfer fee ownership of the property to the District to be preserved as open space and incorporate it into the Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve.
Section 15330 exempts minor clean-up actions taken to prevent, minimize, stabilize, mitigate or eliminate the release or threat of release of a hazardous waste or substance associated with the former use of the site if removal actions cost $1 million or less. The PUMP includes clean-up actions on the Property as necessary to minimize or eliminate the threat of release of hazardous waste.
County Clerk
Santa Clara
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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