Addition to Existing Hospital for an MRI Facility
Summary
SCH Number
2026040286
Public Agency
City of Solvang
Document Title
Addition to Existing Hospital for an MRI Facility
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
4/7/2026
Document Description
The applicant proposes a Conditional Use Permit amendment to allow construction of a new Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) room, which will be an addition to the existing Santa Ynez Valley Cottage Hospital, located at 2050 Viborg Road (APN 139-310-051). The addition would replace the existing mobile MRI trailer with a permanent facility and expand on-site diagnostic services within the established hospital campus that expands services for residents of Solvang and the Santa Ynez Valley. The proposed amendment includes:
• Construction of a 2,160-square-foot, one-story addition for accommodation of an MRI center;
• Removal of the existing mobile MRI trailer;
• Minor site, utility, and landscaping improvements; no changes to existing parking;
• Dark Sky compliant exterior lighting.
Contact Information
Name
Lisa Coria
Agency Name
City of Solvang
Job Title
Assistant Planner
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Address
Phone
Location
Coordinates
Cities
Solvang
Counties
Santa Barbara
Regions
Citywide
Cross Streets
Viborg Rd, Alamo Pintado
Zip
93463
Total Acres
.04
Parcel #
139-310-051
State Highways
246
Airports
Santa Ynez Valley Airport
Schools
Solvang School
Waterways
Alamo Pintado Creek, Santa Ynez River
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 1, section 15301
Reasons for Exemption
CEQA provides several “categorical exemptions” which are applicable to categories of projects and activities that the Lead Agency (the City of Solvang) has determined generally do not pose a risk of significant impacts on the environment.
In accordance with Section 15301 of the CEQA Guidelines, the proposed project qualifies for the Class 1 categorical exemption for Existing Facilities. Class 1 exemptions apply to the operation, repair, maintenance, permitting, or minor alteration of existing public or private structures involving negligible or no expansion of the existing use. The proposed project consists of a 2,160-square-foot addition to the existing Santa Ynez Valley Cottage Hospital, which will relocate the hospital’s MRI services from an outdated mobile trailer into a permanent structure within the existing hospital campus. The addition represents a minor expansion to an existing institutional facility and is well below the 10,000 square foot threshold permitted under Section 15301(e) for additions to existing structures. The project site is located within a developed urban area that is fully served by existing public utilities, roadways, and emergency services, and the project does not introduce a new land use or intensify the existing hospital operations. The project will occur on a previously developed hospital campus and does not involve environmentally sensitive habitat areas. Additionally, none of the exceptions to categorical exemptions identified in CEQA Guidelines Section 15300.2 apply. Therefore, the proposed project qualifies for the Class 1 categorical exemption under CEQA Guidelines Section 15301.
County Clerk
Santa Barbara
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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