Fire Station No.1 and Balboa Branch Library Landscape Changes Appeal
Summary
SCH Number
2025110371
Public Agency
City of Newport Beach
Document Title
Fire Station No.1 and Balboa Branch Library Landscape Changes Appeal
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
11/10/2025
Document Description
An appeal of the Community Development Director’s July 3, 2025, decision to approve minor changes to Coastal Development Permit (CDP) No. PA2024-0140. The CDP was previously approved by City Council on September 24, 2024, for the demolition and reconstruction of the City’s Fire Station No.1 and Balboa Branch Library. The City Council also approved the removal of two diseased Special City Landmark trees located within the property. The minor changes approved by the Community Development Director modified the previously approved landscaping plans by proposing replacement of tree species to further support nesting birds such as great blue herons. The minor changes consist of replacing the Catalina Ironwood trees along Island Avenue and the California Sycamore trees along East Bay Ave with Western Sycamore trees. Additionally, the planting areas within the parking lot along East Bay Avenue will feature a Sweetshade tree and an Australian Willow tree, replacing the originally proposed California Sycamores. The alteration of the parking layout given the revised landscape changes will result in the loss of one surplus parking space
Contact Information
Name
Laura Rodriguez
Agency Name
City of Newport Beach
Job Title
Assistant Planner
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Name
Tom Sandefur
Agency Name
City of Newport Beach
Job Title
Assistant City Engineer
Contact Types
Project Applicant
Phone
Location
Coordinates
Cities
Newport Beach
Counties
Orange
Regions
Southern California
Cross Streets
East Balboa Boulevard and Island Avenue
Zip
92661
Total Acres
0.53
Parcel #
048-072-24
State Highways
Pacific Coast Highway
Railways
N/A
Airports
N/A
Schools
N/A
Waterways
Pacific Ocean and Newport Bay
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 2 (Replacement or Reconstruction) under Section 15302
Reasons for Exemption
Class 2 exemption applies to the replacement or reconstruction of existing structures where the new structure will be located on the same site as the structure being replaced and substantially have the same purpose and capacity. In this case, the originally approved CDP identifies the demolition and reconstruction of the fire station and library, including the removal of two diseased Special City Landmark trees. The project is substantially conforming to the scope of the approved CDP, which is the replacement or reconstruction of an existing library and fire station with a new library and fire station on the same project site. Therefore, the intent of Class 2 is still being met and the project’s minor changes to landscaping and parking will not affect the Class 2 exemption. The exceptions to this categorical exemption under Section 15300.2 are not applicable. The project’s landscape changes do not impact an environmental resource of hazardous or critical concern, does not result in cumulative impacts, does not have a significant effect on the environment due to unusual circumstances, does not damage scenic resources within a state scenic highway, is not a hazardous waste site, and is not identified as a historical resource
County Clerk
Orange
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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