2nd Avenue and Divarty Street Utility Improvement Project

2025091303

California State University, Monterey Bay (CSUMB)

NOE - Notice of Exemption

9/29/2025

9/29/2025

Matthew McCluney

California State University Monterey Bay

Director of Campus Planning & Development

Lead/Public Agency

100 Campus Center
Seaside, CA 93955

(831) 582-4721

mmccluney@csumb.edu

2nd Avenue & Divarty Street, Seaside

93955

Categorical Exemption

Class 1: Existing Facilities, Sec. 15301; Class 2: Replacement or Reconstruction, Sect. 15302; Class 4, Section 15304.

The project involves the in-ground installation of electrical utility lines using joint-trench pit installation and upgrades to an existing 12-inch water main beneath Divarty Street. All work would occur within areas of prior ground disturbance, is limited in scope, and would not require extensive site preparation. Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15063(b)(3), the project does not have the potential to result in a significant effect on the environment, and therefore an Initial Study is not required. The project is exempt under the following CEQA Guidelines categorical and “common sense” exemptions: - Existing Facilities, Sections 15301: The project involves upgrades to existing investor-owned utility infrastructure and road right-of-way facilities at the intersection of 2nd Avenue and Divarty Street. Specifically, the work includes underground installation of electrical utility lines and upgrades to an existing 12-inch water main. These activities fall within §15301(b), (c), and (d), which exempt existing publicly owned utilities and facilities used to provide electric power, water, and other public services, as well as existing streets and related improvements. Because the work will occur in areas of prior disturbance within existing roadway and utility corridors, it qualifies as maintenance and minor alteration of existing facilities. - Replacement or Reconstruction, Section 15302: The project involves work by a private contractor to Shea Homes to underground an existing section of above-ground electrical utility lines, upgrade an existing 12-inch water main, and restore the disturbed surface following construction. All activities will be limited to the existing 2nd Avenue and Divarty Street roadway alignments. These activities are consistent with CEQA Guidelines §15302(c) and (d), which exempt replacement or reconstruction of existing utility systems and the conversion of overhead electrical facilities to underground where no expansion of capacity occurs and the surface is restored to pre-project condition. - Minor Alterations to Land, Section 15304: The project requires minor trenching and backfilling to install underground utilities and water main upgrade. Pursuant to §15304(f), such minor trenching is categorically exempt when the surface is restored. Because the project will restore disturbed areas to their prior condition following installation, this exemption applies. Consistent with the CSUMB Master Plan EIR Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program (MMRP) and the Habitat Management Plan (HMP), standard measures (including MM-BIO-1a for Monterey spineflower) will be implemented on land owned by CSUMB, as applicable. These measures are part of CSUMB’s ongoing compliance obligations and further ensure that no significant effects on the environment will occur. The proposed project would not result in unusual circumstances that could have a significant effect on the environment; would not damage scenic resources within a Scenic Highway; is not located on a hazardous waste site listed pursuant to Government Code §65962.5; would not cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of a historical resource; and would not result in cumulative impacts. Therefore, none of the exceptions to categorical exemptions set forth in CEQA Guidelines Section 15300.2 apply.

Other

Common Sense Exemption: Section 15063 (b)(3)

Common Sense Exemption: The project is exempt from CEQA per Section 15063(c) of the CEQA Guidelines, which state that an activity is covered by the common sense exemption that CEQA applies only to projects where it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity may have a significant effect on the environment, the activity is not subject to CEQA.