BEACH - Buzze EV Affordable Charging Hub
Summary
SCH Number
2025110598
Public Agency
California Energy Commission
Document Title
BEACH - Buzze EV Affordable Charging Hub
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
11/17/2025
Document Description
This project will install at least 124 Level 2 EV charging ports across approximately 18 multifamily housing communities throughout California, to increase electric vehicle charging access to multifamily housing residents.
Contact Information
Name
Beau Blackwell-Mangan
Agency Name
California Energy Commission
Job Title
Associate Energy Specialist
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Address
Phone
Name
Jess Martin
Agency Name
Buzze Inc.
Job Title
Project Manager
Contact Types
Project Applicant
Phone
Email
Location
Cities
Hayward, Los Angeles, San Diego, San Jose, San Marcos, Santa Rosa
Counties
Alameda, Los Angeles, San Diego, Santa Clara, Sonoma
Regions
Statewide
Other Information
The EVSE will be installed in existing parking lots or existing parking structures.
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
CCR section number: 15301, 15303, 15304
Reasons for Exemption
Cal. Code Regs., tit. 14, Section 15301 Existing Facilities provides that the operation, repair, maintenance, permitting, leasing, licensing, or minor alteration of existing public or private structures, facilities, mechanical equipment or topographical features which involve negligible or no expansion of use beyond that existing at the time of the responsible agency's determination, are categorically exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act. This project involves installation of 124 Level 2 charging ports at or within 1/4 mile of multi-family housing properties throughout Northern and Southern California. The electric vehicle charging stations will be installed at existing, paved parking spaces. Therefore, this project is exempt under California Code of Regulations, title 14, section 15301 and will not have a significant effect on the environment.?
Cal. Code Regs., tit. 14, sec. 15303 provides that projects which consist of construction and location of limited numbers of new, small facilities or structures; installation of small new equipment and facilities in small structures; and the conversion of existing small structures from one use to another where only minor modifications are made in the exterior of the structure, are categorically exempt from the provisions of CEQA. This project consists of installation of new, small equipment to existing sites. In addition, the electric vehicle charging stations will be installed at existing, paved parking spaces. Therefore, the project falls within section 15303 and will not have a significant effect on the environment.??
Cal. Code Regs., tit. 14, sect. 15304 provides that projects which consist of minor public or private alterations in the condition of land, water, and/or vegetation which do not involve removal of healthy, mature, scenic trees except for forestry and agricultural purposes are categorically exempt from the provisions of CEQA. This project (including the trenching) involves installation of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations in existing, paved parking spaces, and Buzze, Inc. asserts that the work will not involve the removal of any mature, scenic trees. Therefore, this project is exempt under California Code of Regulations, title 14, section 15304.??Buzze Inc. is the Lead Agency under CEQA.? (14 C.C.R. § 15051(a).)?
The project will not impact an environmental resource of hazardous or critical concern where designated, precisely mapped, and officially adopted pursuant to law by federal, state, or local agencies; does not involve any cumulative impacts of successive projects of the same type in the same place that might be considered significant; does not involve unusual circumstances that might have a significant effect on the environment; will not result in damage to scenic resources within a highway officially designated as a state scenic highway; the project site is not included on any list compiled pursuant to Government Code section 65962.5; and the project will not cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of a historical resource. Therefore, none of the exceptions to categorical exemptions listed in CEQA Guidelines section 15300.2 apply to this project, and this project will not have a significant effect on the environment.?
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
Disclaimer: The Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation (LCI) accepts no responsibility for the content or accessibility of these documents. To obtain an attachment in a different format, please contact the lead agency at the contact information listed above. For more information, please visit LCI’s Accessibility Site.