Orris/Melia Major Grading Permit (GRAD2025-00151 / ED25-0159)
Summary
SCH Number
2026010384
Public Agency
San Luis Obispo County
Document Title
Orris/Melia Major Grading Permit (GRAD2025-00151 / ED25-0159)
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
1/14/2026
Document Description
A request for a Major Grading Permit (GRAD025-00151) to allow for the construction of a 4,612 square-foot single family residence with a 968-square-foot attached garage, and a 960 square-foot porch. The proposed project will disturb approximately 0.91 acres of the 1.57-acre parcel, including 2,380-cubic-yards of cut and 2,500-cubic-yards of fill. The proposed parcel is within the Agriculture land use category and is located at 780 Via Diego, in the Huasna-Lopez Sub-area of the South County Planning Area.
Contact Information
Name
Lane Sutherland
Agency Name
County of San Luis Obispo
Job Title
Planner III
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Email
Name
Lindsay Melia
Agency Name
Applicant
Job Title
Owner
Contact Types
Project Applicant
Phone
Email
Location
Cities
Arroyo Grande
Counties
San Luis Obispo
Regions
Southern California, Unincorporated
Zip
93420
Total Acres
1.57
Parcel #
047-023-030
Other Location Info
780 Via Diego, Arroyo Grande, CA 93420
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Other
Type, Section or Code
15061(b)(3)
Reasons for Exemption
The project includes grading for the construction of a single family residence with an attached garage within the agriculture land use category with access to an existing roadway network that is adequate to serve the project. The applicant has designed the grading and site improvements to minimize site disturbance, and the project has a relatively small area of disturbance of approximately 0.91 acres. The project area is located within the Huasna-Lopez Sub-area of the South County Planning area and is subject to the applicable sub-area standards outlined in County Code Section 22.98.030. This project, as proposed, meets all applicable community standards for development.
The project area does not fall within San Joaquin Kit Fox habitat and, therefore, does not require related mitigation measures. The project has been designed to protect trees on site, while increasing the number of Oak trees with additional planting as required in the project conditions of approval. There are no special status plant species known to exist within the project area. Therefore, the project will maintain compliance with local policies and ordinances protecting biological resources.
The project is not located near a stream or in an area with known archaeological resources; therefore, impacts to cultural resources are not anticipated. In the unlikely event resources are uncovered during grading activities, implementation of County Code Section 22.10.040 (Archaeological Resources) would be required, which states:
A. Construction activities shall cease, and the Department shall be notified so that the extent and location of discovered materials may be recorded by a qualified archaeologist, and disposition of artifacts may be accomplished in accordance with state and federal law.
B. In the event archeological resources are found to include human remains, or in any other case when human remains are discovered during construction, the County Coroner shall be notified in addition to the Department so proper disposition may be accomplished.
The project area has low potential for liquefaction, lateral spreading, and moderate risk of landslide based upon the site’s soil quality and condition and the absence of groundwater in the soil (Beacon Geotechnical, 2022). The Geotechnical Engineering Report contains geologic elements with recommendations for construction that will be incorporated into the project.
Existing grading and drainage regulations will adequately address surface water quality impacts during construction and permanent use of the residence. The project will conform to the applicable General Plan and Area Plan standards, and no measures beyond those required by County Code are necessary to address the environmental impacts associated with the proposed project.
County Clerk
San Luis Obispo
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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