Stowell Grading Permit (GRAD2025-00222 / ED26-0006)
Summary
SCH Number
2026010856
Public Agency
San Luis Obispo County
Document Title
Stowell Grading Permit (GRAD2025-00222 / ED26-0006)
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
1/27/2026
Document Description
A request for a Major Grading Permit (GRAD2025-00222) to allow for the construction of a 2,700-square-foot (sf) single-family residence with a 1,114 sf unconditioned garage, 500-sf junior accessory dwelling unit, with 6,493 sf of concrete pavement and asphalt concrete for a driveway and pedestrian pathway. The proposed project will disturb approximately 0.84 acres of the one-acre parcel, including 1,550-cubic-yards of cut and fill. The proposed parcel is within the Residential Suburban land use category and is located at 875 Hana Lane Road, in the Community of Nipomo, in the South County Sub-area of the South County Planning Area
Contact Information
Name
Sam Kinney
Agency Name
County Of San Luis Obispo
Job Title
Planner I
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Email
Name
Rudy Stowell
Agency Name
Applicant
Job Title
Owner
Contact Types
Project Applicant
Phone
Email
Location
Cities
Nipomo
Counties
San Luis Obispo
Regions
Southern California, Unincorporated
Zip
93444
Total Acres
1
Parcel #
091-292-063
Other Location Info
875 Hana Lane Road, Nipomo, CA 93444
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Other
Type, Section or Code
15061(b)(3)
Reasons for Exemption
The project includes grading for the construction of an accessory dwelling
unit with an attached garage within the Residential Suburban 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 0.84 acres. The project area is located within the Community of Nipomo within the South County Sub-area of the South County Planning area and is subject to the applicable sub-area standards and community standards outlined in County Code Section 22.98.070 and 22.108.040. This project, as proposed,
meets all applicable community standards for development. Additionally, the project is proposed to be placed in an area that is categorized as prime farmland of statewide importance. The proposed residence is not considered an agricultural use; however, the proposed single-family residence is an allowed use with in the Residential Suburban Land Use Category. Additionally, there is no existing agricultural use on the property, and the one-acre parcel is too small to accommodate large-scale crop production.
The project area does not fall within San Joaquin Kit Fox habitat and, therefore, does not require related mitigation measures. The project will not result in the removal of any heritage oak trees or other native tree species, and 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, or landslide based upon the site’s soil quality and condition and the absence of groundwater in the soil (Beacon Geotechnical, 2025). 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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