Soquel Drive Multi-Modal transportation improvement project
Summary
SCH Number
2025120564
Public Agency
Santa Cruz County
Document Title
Soquel Drive Multi-Modal transportation improvement project
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
12/12/2025
Document Description
Construction of multimodal transportation improvements along the urban Soquel Drive corridor to enhance pedestrian and bicycle safety, accessibility, and connectivity while improving overall travel operations. The project will improve approximately 2.4 miles of Soquel Drive between State Park Drive and Freedom Boulevard within existing public right-of-way.
Contact Information
Name
Mark J. Connolly
Agency Name
County of Santa Cruz Department of Community Development & Infrastructure
Job Title
Principal Planner
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Location
Counties
Santa Cruz
Regions
Northern California
Cross Streets
Soquel Drive between State Park Drive and Freedom Boulevard
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Statutory Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Public Resources Code Sections §21080.25 and §21080(b)(10)
Reasons for Exemption
Public Resources Code Section 21080.25 provides a statutory exemption for pedestrian and bicycle facilities that improve safety, access, or mobility, including new facilities, within the public right-of-way. It also exempts transit priority projects, conversion of traffic lanes to high-occupancy vehicle lanes, bus use, part-time transit lanes, new or increased bus transit service, and zero-emission or near-zero-emission transit projects,. As amended, Section 21080.25 specifies that the exemption for pedestrian and bicycle facilities must improve safety, access, or mobility, within the public right of way, in order to apply. The proposed project is consistent with this exemption.
Public Resources Code Section 21080(b)(10) states that projects for the institution or increase of passenger or commuter services on rail or highways are exempt from the environmental review process. Also, a project for the institution or increase of passenger or commuter services on rail or highway rights-of-way already in use.
County Clerk
Santa Cruz
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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