Code Amendment (CA) 25-003, Retail Uses Permitted in Historic Commercial District
Summary
SCH Number
2026030831
Public Agency
City of San Juan Capistrano
Document Title
Code Amendment (CA) 25-003, Retail Uses Permitted in Historic Commercial District
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
3/19/2026
Document Description
The City Council adopted an ordinance approving of a Code Amendment to amend the Los Rios Specific Plan to add several new uses and remove some existing uses from the list of principal uses allowed in the Historic Commercial District.
Contact Information
Name
Laurel Reimer
Agency Name
City of San Juan Capistrano
Job Title
Contract Planner
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Name
Dan Almquist
Agency Name
31791 Los Rios Street LLC
Job Title
Project Manager
Contact Types
Project Applicant
Phone
Email
Location
Cities
San Juan Capistrano
Counties
Orange
Regions
Citywide
Cross Streets
Del Obispo
Zip
92675
Parcel #
121-160-21, -20, and -19, and portions of 121-160-17 and -16
State Highways
California
Railways
yes
Airports
n/a
Schools
n/a
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Section 15320 – Class 20, Changes in Organization of Local Agencies
Reasons for Exemption
The City's Environmental Administrator has determined that the project is not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) because it does not meet the definition of a “project” under CEQA. Even if it were considered a “project” under CEQA, it would still be categorically exempt under State CEQA Guidelines Section 15320, which applies to organizational or reorganization activities by local governmental agencies, as long as the changes do not alter the geographical area in which existing powers are exercised. Additionally, the Common Sense Exemption under CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3) also applies to the Project. The Common Sense Exemption applies to activities where it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment. Since the Code Amendment only changes the list of allowed uses in the specific plan without involving any physical development or changing the geographic scope of the area, it qualifies for these exemptions
Exempt Status
Other
Type, Section or Code
ection 15060(c) – Not Subject to CEQA and 15061(b)(3) – Common Sense Exemption
Reasons for Exemption
The City's Environmental Administrator has determined that the project is not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) because it does not meet the definition of a “project” under CEQA. Even if it were considered a “project” under CEQA, it would still be categorically exempt under State CEQA Guidelines Section 15320, which applies to organizational or reorganization activities by local governmental agencies, as long as the changes do not alter the geographical area in which existing powers are exercised. Additionally, the Common Sense NOTICE OF EXEMPTION Exemption under CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3) also applies to the Project. The Common Sense Exemption applies to activities where it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment. Since the Code Amendment only changes the list of allowed uses in the specific plan without involving any physical development or changing the geographic scope of the area, it qualifies for these exemptions.
County Clerk
Orange
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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