Bruce Ariss Way Light Fixtures

2025120982

City of Monterey

NOE - Notice of Exemption

12/22/2025

12/22/2025

Christy Sabdo

City of Monterey

Principal Planner

Lead/Public Agency / Project Applicant

580 Pacific Street
Monterey, CA 93940

(831) 646-3758

sabdo@monterey.org

Wave Street and Bruce Ariss Way

93940

Path along Bruce Ariss Way between Wave Street and Recreational Trail

Categorical Exemption

Article 19, Section 15301, Class 1

The City of Monterey Planning Office determined that the project is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines (Article 19, Section 15301, Class 1- Existing Facilities). The project consists of the installation of new pedestrian-scale lighting along an existing developed public street (Bruce Ariss Way), using existing public right-of-way and utility infrastructure. The improvements involve negligible expansion of use beyond that previously existing and are intended to enhance public safety and pedestrian visibility. Furthermore, the project does not qualify for any of the exceptions to the categorical exemptions found at CEQA Guidelines Section 15300.2: Exception a - Location. Classes 3, 4, 5, 6, and 11 are qualified by consideration of where the project is to be located. Class 1 exemptions are not subject to this location exception. Therefore, Exception a does not apply. Exception b - Cumulative Impact. All exemptions for these classes are inapplicable when the cumulative impact of successive projects of the same type in the same place, over time, is significant. The lighting improvements involve standard infrastructure enhancements within a developed area·and will not result in a cumulative impact. Exception c - Significant Effect. A categorical exemption shall not be used for an activity where there is a reasonable possibility that the activity will have a significant effect on the environment due to unusual circumstances. The project site is a developed urban street segment with no unusual circumstances. The project involves standard construction methods and materials, and no significant environmental effects are anticipated. Exception d - Scenic Highways. A categorical exemption shall not be used for a project which may result in damage to scenic resources within a highway officially designated as a state scenic highway. Bruce Ariss Way is not visible from a state-designated scenic highway. Therefore, the exception does not apply. Exception e - Hazardous Waste Sites. A categorical exemption shall not be used for a project located on a site which is included on any list compiled pursuant to Section 65962.5 of the Government Code. The project site is not located on a known hazardous waste site and does not appear on any such lists. Exception f- Historical Resources. A categorical exemption shall not be used for a project which may cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of a historical resource. The lighting installation occurs within an existing public right-of-way and does not involve the alteration or demolition of any historic structure. The project site is located within an archaeological sensitivity area as identified in the General Plan EIR. An Extended Phase I archaeological assessment was prepared for the project, which included archival research, Native American consultation, surface survey, and subsurface testing. While the project area is adjacent to the mapped boundary of a known prehistoric archaeological site (CA­MNT-391), no intact cultural deposits were identified within the project area, and subsurface testing was negative to a depth of 80 cm. Nevertheless, due to the proximity to recorded resources and limitations in auger depth, archaeological monitoring during ground disturbance is recommended as a condition of approval. With implementation of this standard condition, the project would result in a less than significant impact to archaeological resources. No substantial adverse change to historical resources will occur.