PSP 25-084 – Davis
Summary
SCH Number
2025110546
Public Agency
Tulare County
Document Title
PSP 25-084 – Davis
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
11/14/2025
Document Description
The project involves the installation of six (6) 12,000 gallon above ground fuel tanks (four (4) diesel, one (1) 91 Octane, and one (1) 87 Octane tanks) on a 5.5-acre parcel in the C-2-MU (General Commercial with Mixed Use Overlay) Zone. The project is an accessory use to an already approved travel stop. The beneficiary of the project is the Applicant.
Contact Information
Name
Gary Mills
Agency Name
County of Tulare, Resource Management Agency
Job Title
Chief Planner
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Name
Jessica Wills
Agency Name
County of Tulare, Resource Management Agency
Job Title
Environmental Planner
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Name
Russell Kashiwa
Agency Name
County of Tulare, Resource Management Agency
Job Title
Project Planner
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Name
Deanna Davis
Agency Name
Project applicant
Job Title
Project applicant
Contact Types
Project Applicant
Phone
Location
Cities
unincorporated area, Traver
Counties
Tulare
Regions
Unincorporated
Parcel #
040-020- 081
Township
17S
Range
23E
Section
16
Other Location Info
southwest corner of Merritt Drive and 6th Street, within the Traver Urban Development Boundary (UDB)
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
CEQA Guidelines Class 3 Section 15303 New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures
Reasons for Exemption
This project is categorically exempt under Section 15303 (Class 3) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines, which applies to the installation of small-scale utility facilities and accessory structures. The basis for the exemption is that the site is located within an urbanized area and is part of a previously approved gas station and convenience store. Appurtenant structures are allowed under this subsection and are not included in area calculation to determine if the
proposed Project exceeds the 2,500 square foot limit.
This Project has also been determined to be exempt, consistent with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the State CEQA Guidelines, pursuant to Title 14, Cal. Code Regulations, Section 15061(b)(3), Common Sense Exemption. The basis for the exemption is that Highway Commercial Development has been anticipated through the Traver Community Plan 2014 Update. As part of the 2014 update an Initial Study (IS) and Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND)(SCH# 2014091044) was certified and adopted by the Tulare County Board of Supervisors.
As addressed in the Policy Plan, “…future urban development of the community will be concentrated on the east side of Highway 99, with the exception of anticipated highway-oriented commercial use of a small segment of land at the Merritt Drive overpass west of the highway. The land use plan for the community provides for substantial expansion of other highway commercial development along Highway 99; allows for additional industrial development with good highway and rail access; provides for the development of additional commercial uses potentially serving community-oriented demand; and enables the development of additional residential
uses to meet demand generated by forecasted population growth”. The subject site is located within the development along Highway 99.
Furthermore, according to Table 32 of the Traver Community Plan, the increase in available zoning from Commercial and Industrial lots increased from 39% to 48%. Table 39 and 40 shows the projected increase for Commercial and Industrial Development of 19,615 square feet and 106,950, respectively.
The site has also been identified in Figure 16 “Vacant Parcels in Traver UDB”, which are parcels that are identified to accommodate Project growth to 2030, and that the development would be considered contiguous development and orderly extension of services.
In addition to County requirements, above ground fuel tanks in excess of 10,000 gallons are regulated under the Aboveground Petroleum Storage Act. This includes additional regulations under the California Health and Safety Code, Division 20, Chapter 6.67; California Code of Regulation, Title 24, Part 9; California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Division 1, Chapter 11, Article 1; and the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations, Title 40, Part 112.
Therefore, it can be reasonably concluded that the proposed Project would align with growth patterns previously analyzed under the Traver Community Plan 2014 Update and IS/MND and would not be a substantial change to the MND. It can also be reasonably concluded that through additional regulations, it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment.
Exempt Status
Other
Type, Section or Code
Common Sense Exemption: CEQA Guidelines 15061(b)(3)
Reasons for Exemption
This project is categorically exempt under Section 15303 (Class 3) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines, which applies to the installation of small-scale utility facilities and accessory structures. The basis for the exemption is that the site is located within an urbanized area and is part of a previously approved gas station and convenience store. Appurtenant structures are allowed under this subsection and are not included in area calculation to determine if the
proposed Project exceeds the 2,500 square foot limit.
This Project has also been determined to be exempt, consistent with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the State CEQA Guidelines, pursuant to Title 14, Cal. Code Regulations, Section 15061(b)(3), Common Sense Exemption. The basis for the exemption is that Highway Commercial Development has been anticipated through the Traver Community Plan 2014 Update. As part of the 2014 update an Initial Study (IS) and Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND)(SCH# 2014091044) was certified and adopted by the Tulare County Board of Supervisors.
As addressed in the Policy Plan, “…future urban development of the community will be concentrated on the east side of Highway 99, with the exception of anticipated highway-oriented commercial use of a small segment of land at the Merritt Drive overpass west of the highway. The land use plan for the community provides for substantial expansion of other highway commercial development along Highway 99; allows for additional industrial development with good highway and rail access; provides for the development of additional commercial uses potentially serving community-oriented demand; and enables the development of additional residential
uses to meet demand generated by forecasted population growth”. The subject site is located within the development along Highway 99.
Furthermore, according to Table 32 of the Traver Community Plan, the increase in available zoning from Commercial and Industrial lots increased from 39% to 48%. Table 39 and 40 shows the projected increase for Commercial and Industrial Development of 19,615 square feet and 106,950, respectively.
The site has also been identified in Figure 16 “Vacant Parcels in Traver UDB”, which are parcels that are identified to accommodate Project growth to 2030, and that the development would be considered contiguous development and orderly extension of services.
In addition to County requirements, above ground fuel tanks in excess of 10,000 gallons are regulated under the Aboveground Petroleum Storage Act. This includes additional regulations under the California Health and Safety Code, Division 20, Chapter 6.67; California Code of Regulation, Title 24, Part 9; California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Division 1, Chapter 11, Article 1; and the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations, Title 40, Part 112.
Therefore, it can be reasonably concluded that the proposed Project would align with growth patterns previously analyzed under the Traver Community Plan 2014 Update and IS/MND and would not be a substantial change to the MND. It can also be reasonably concluded that through additional regulations, it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment.
County Clerk
Tulare
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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