Chapman Corridor Revitalization Plan: General Plan Amendment (GPA) 2025-01, Zone Change (ZCA) 2025-03, and Specific Plan Amendment (SPA) 2025-01
Summary
SCH Number
2025110238
Public Agency
City of Placentia
Document Title
Chapman Corridor Revitalization Plan: General Plan Amendment (GPA) 2025-01, Zone Change (ZCA) 2025-03, and Specific Plan Amendment (SPA) 2025-01
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
11/7/2025
Document Description
The Chapman Corridor Revitalization Plan (proposed project) is a specific plan that would serve as the implementation tool for the refined zoning for the Chapman Corridor. The proposed project would provide permitted uses, development and design standards, mobility and infrastructure improvements, and design guidelines. The proposed project would enhance the City’s Municipal Code to further align zoning regulations with the General Plan. Where the proposed project is silent, the City’s Municipal code will continue to apply, using the context and objectives of the proposed project as a guide. The proposed project would provide flexibility for commercial and residential opportunities to develop in the Chapman Corridor in accordance with the General Plan. Existing uses within the Chapman Corridor would be allowed to remain; however, proposed project would create flexibility for potential residences to convert to home businesses and for a variety of mixed-use opportunities throughout the project site.
Contact Information
Name
Joseph Lambert
Agency Name
City of Placentia
Job Title
Director of Development Services
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency / Project Applicant
Phone
Email
Location
Cities
Placentia
Counties
Orange
Regions
Citywide
Cross Streets
Placentia Avenue and Chapman Avenue/Kraemer Boulevard
Total Acres
120
Other Location Info
The project site encompasses 0.13 square miles of a largely developed, one-mile stretch of Chapman Avenue referred to as the "Chapman Corridor."
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Other
Type, Section or Code
General Rule [Section 15061(b)(3)]; Common Sense Exemption
Reasons for Exemption
The project is exempt under State California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3), which states:
(b) A project is exempt from CEQA if:
1. The project is exempt by statute (see, e.g., Article 18, commencing with Section 15260)
2. The project is exempt pursuant to a categorical exemption (see Article 19, commencing with Section 15300 [of the CEQA Guidelines]) and the application of that categorical exemption is not barred by one of the exceptions set forth in Section 15300.2.
3. The activity is covered by the general rule that CEQA applies only to projects which have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment. Where it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment, the activity is not subject to CEQA.
4. The project will be rejected or disapproved by a public agency (See Section 15270[b])
5. The project is exempt pursuant to provisions of Article 12.5 of this Chapter
As stated in CEQA Guidelines 15061(b)(3), where it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity would result in a significant effect on the environment, the activity is not subject to CEQA. “A project that qualifies for neither a statutory nor a categorical exemption may nonetheless be found exempt under what is sometimes called the ‘common sense’ exemption, which applies ‘[w]here it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment’.” (Muzzy Ranch at 380, citing CEQA Guidelines, § 15061(b)(3), and Davidson Homes v. City of San Jose (1997) 54 Cal.App.4th 106, 113–118).
The proposed project is a policy document that builds from the City’s existing General Plan and zoning for the Chapman Corridor. The proposed project does not include specific development projects; rather, the proposed project would implement and address general provisions, permitted uses, development and design standards, mobility and infrastructure improvements, and design guidelines to revitalize this portion of the City consistent with the General Plan. Because the proposed project is consistent with the General Plan, the proposed project would not exceed the development proposed under General Plan buildout. The proposed project would refine the zoning regulations to further align with the General Plan. Future development projects would be subject to separate environmental review under CEQA and to compliance with the established regulatory framework including federal, State, regional, and local regulations.
Therefore, because the activity in question is adoption of a policy document, which does not entitle development and would not allow development beyond what is currently allowed in the City General Plan, there is no possibility that the proposed project would have a significant effect on the environment and is not subject to CEQA.
County Clerk
Orange
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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