CDP 2026-0002 / V 2026-0001 (DEV2024-0003) – CARLSBAD BLVD HOMES MCDP

2026040929

City of Carlsbad

NOE - Notice of Exemption

4/20/2026

4/20/2026

ALEX ALEGRE

CITY OF CARLSBAD PLANNING DIVISION

ASSOCIATE PLANNER

Lead/Public Agency

1635 FARADAY AVENUE
CARLSBAD, CA 92008

(442) 339-5268

alex.alegre@carlsbadca.gov

Kirk Moeller

KMA Architects Inc.

APPLICANT

Project Applicant

2888 Loker Avenue, Suite 220
CARLSBAD, CA 92010

(760) 803-8006

KIRK@KMARCHITECTSINC.COM

210-062-09-00

5211 CARLSBAD BLVD (APN 210-062-09-00)

Categorical Exemption

New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures – Section 15303(b)

The project involves minor modifications to an approved residential development consisting of two dwelling units. The requested Minor Coastal Development Permit and Minor Variance pertain only to site grading, retaining walls, and associated fencing, and do not increase the number of units or intensity of development. The project remains consistent with the scope of Class 3 exemptions, which include the construction and modification of small residential structures in an urbanized area. Exceptions to Exemptions CEQA Section 15300.2 – Exceptions Planning staff evaluated all the potential exceptions to the use of Categorical Exemptions for the proposed project (in accordance with CEQA Guidelines Section 15300.2) and determined that none of these exceptions apply as explained below: 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 in 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.” Response – The project qualifies for a Class 3 exemption (Section 15303), which is subject to the location exception. However, the project site is not located within a particularly sensitive environment or area designated as containing environmental resources of hazardous or critical concern. Therefore, this exception does not apply. 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.” Response – There is no evidence of successive similar residential developments in this immediate area that would result in cumulative environmental impacts. The project proposes development of one infill lot and will not contribute to cumulative impacts related to traffic, air quality, noise, or other concerns. Therefore, this exception does not apply. c. Significant Effect - “A categorical exemption shall not be used for any activity where there is a reasonable possibility that the activity will have a significant effect on the environment due to unusual circumstances.” Response – The project involves minor modifications to an approved two-unit residential development, limited to site grading, retaining walls, and associated fencing. The site is located within a fully urbanized area and has already been evaluated for residential development. The requested Minor Coastal Development Permit and Minor Variance do not introduce unusual circumstances or changes that would result in a significant effect on the environment. Therefore, this exception does not apply. d. Scenic Highway - “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.” Response – Carlsbad Boulevard is not designated by Caltrans as an official State Scenic Highway. Therefore, this exception does not apply. e. Hazardous Waste Site - “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.” Response – The project site is not listed on any hazardous waste site lists maintained by the Department of Toxic Substances Control or other responsible agencies. Therefore, this exception does not apply. 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.” Response – The project site is not listed on any local, state, or federal register of historic resources, nor has it been identified as potentially eligible. No historical resources are present on the site. Therefore, this exception does not apply. Carlsbad Municipal Code Section 19.04.070(B) - Exceptions Exceptions. Even though a project may otherwise be eligible for an exemption, no exemption shall apply in the following circumstances: 1. Grading and clearing activities affecting sensitive plant or animal habitats, which disturb, fragment or remove such areas as defined by either the California Endangered Species Act (Fish and Game Code Sections 2050 et seq.), or the Federal Endangered Species Act (16 U.S.C. Section 15131 et seq.); sensitive, rare, candidate species of special concern; endangered or threatened biological species or their habitat (specifically including sage scrub habitat for the California Gnatcatcher); or archaeological or cultural resources from either historic or prehistoric periods; Or 2. Parcel maps, plot plans and all discretionary development projects otherwise exempt but which affect sensitive, threatened, or endangered biological species or their habitat (as defined above), archaeological or cultural resources from either historic or prehistoric periods, wetlands, stream courses designated on U.S. Geological Survey maps, hazardous materials, unstable soils, or other factors requiring special review, on all or a portion of the site. (Ord. NS-593, 2001) Response – The project site is a vacant infill lot within the original Terramar Unit No. 1 subdivision, an established residential neighborhood. While the broader area is identified in the city's Tribal, Cultural and Paleontological Resources Guidelines as having sensitivity for cultural and paleontological resources, the site itself is not associated with any known archaeological site or Tribal Cultural Resource. Standard conditions of approval require archaeological and Luiseño Native American monitoring during grading activities, in accordance with citywide protocols for areas with mapped sensitivity. These conditions are precautionary and do not indicate the presence of any identified resource. Given the infill nature of the site, its prior subdivision, and the surrounding development context, the project does not present circumstances that would trigger the exception criteria. Therefore, the exceptions outlined in CMC Section 19.04.070(B) do not apply.