Lowe Tree, Steps, and Pipe Removal

2026040466

Santa Barbara County

NOE - Notice of Exemption

4/10/2026

4/10/2026

Veronica King

County of Santa Barbara

Planner

Lead/Public Agency

Planning and Development 123 E. Anapamu Street
Santa Barbara, CA 93101

(805) 568-2513

kingv@countyofsb.org

Marc Lowe

Applicant

Applicant

Project Applicant

950 Estrella Drive
Santa Barbara, CA 93110

(805) 895-2020

411@pm.me

Creciente Drive

93110

2.48

063-233-010

Categorical Exemption

15301

The proposed project is categorically exempt from environmental review pursuant to Section 15301 [Existing Facilities] of the Guidelines for Implementation of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Section 15301 exempts the operation, repair, maintenance, permitting, leasing, licensing, or minor alteration of existing public or private structures, facilities, mechanical equipment, or topographical features, involving negligible or no expansion of existing or former use. Because the project consists of the removal of existing beach-access stairs, the replacement of an existing drainage pipe, and the validation of the prior removal of a deceased oak tree, which are activities that constitute minor alterations to existing facilities and do not result in an expansion of use, it qualifies for a categorical exemption under State CEQA Guidelines Section 15301. The proposed project does not involve unusual circumstances, including future activities, resulting in or which might reasonably result in significant impacts which threaten the environment. The exceptions to the categorical exemptions pursuant to Section 15300.2 of the State CEQA Guidelines are: (a) Location. Classes 3, 4, 5, 6, and 11 are qualified by consideration of where the project is to be located – a project that is ordinarily insignificant in its impact on the environment may in a particularly sensitive environment be significant. Therefore, these classes are considered to apply all instances, except where the project may impact on an environmental resource of hazardous or critical concern where designated, precisely mapped, and officially adopted pursuant to law by federal, state, or local agencies. This exception to the categorical exemption does not apply since the project is not located in a designated sensitive environment area. No significant vegetation will be removed to accommodate the project. There are no known landslides, expansive soils, or other environmental resources of hazardous or critical concern designated or precisely mapped within the area of proposed development. Therefore, the project is not expected to impact environmentally sensitive habitat. (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. This exception to the categorical exemption does not apply. The project consists solely of the removal of a deceased oak tree, the removal of an existing broken drainage pipe and replacement with a new pipe serving the same function, and the removal of unpermitted beach-access stairs from the bluff face. These actions involve the removal or replacement of existing improvements and do not increase development intensity or introduce new uses. There is no evidence of similar projects occurring in the immediate area that, when considered together with the proposed project, would result in a significant cumulative environmental impact. Accordingly, the project will not contribute to cumulatively considerable effects over time. (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. This exception to the categorical exemption does not apply. There is no substantial evidence that the project involves unusual circumstances, including future activities, resulting in or which might reasonably result in significant impacts which threaten the environment. (d) Scenic Highways. A categorical exemption shall not be used for a project which may result in damage to scenic resources, including but not limited to, trees, historic buildings, rock outcroppings, or similar resources, within a highway officially designated as a state scenic highway. This does not apply to improvements which are required as mitigation by an adopted negative declaration or certified EIR. This exception to the categorical exemption does not apply. The subject property is located in a developed residential neighborhood with a private driveway and is not visible from any designated scenic highway. Therefore, the development will not result in damage to scenic resources within a highway officially designated as a state scenic highway. (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. This exception to the categorical exemption does not apply. The project site is not included on any list compiled pursuant to Section 65962.5 of the Government Code (hazardous and toxic waste sites). In addition, there is no evidence of historic or current use or disposal of hazardous or toxic materials on the project site. (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. This exception to the categorical exemption does not apply. The project will not be located on or near any historical resources and will therefore have no impact on any historical resource.