Site Plan Review #2025-09 - Watermill Express
Summary
SCH Number
2026050784
Public Agency
City of Los Banos
Document Title
Site Plan Review #2025-09 - Watermill Express
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
5/20/2026
Document Description
The project consists of the installation and development of a new self-service water retail facility consisting of 106 square feet for the Watermill Express within an
existing developed parking lot area with minor site improvements.
Contact Information
Name
Justin Ragunton
Agency Name
City of Los Banos
Job Title
Assistant Planner
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Address
Phone
Name
Brandon Arebalos
Agency Name
Watermill Express
Job Title
Project Manager
Contact Types
Project Applicant
Phone
Location
Cities
Los Banos
Counties
Merced
Regions
Citywide
Cross Streets
Mercey Springs Road and Overland Avenue
Zip
93635
Total Acres
1.07
Parcel #
424-120-021
State Highways
SR HWY 165
Schools
Grasslands Elementary School
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 32 - 15332 - In-Fill Development Projects
Reasons for Exemption
CEQA provides several “categorical exemptions” which are applicable categories of
projects and activities that the Lead Agency has determined generally do not pose a risk of significant impacts on the environment. The project consists of the development of a 106 square foot self-service water retail facility in an existing
parking lot with associated site improvements for the Watermill Express. The project is exempt under Section 15332 (Class 32 – In-Fill Development Projects) of the State CEQA Guidelines. The project qualifies for this exemption for the
following reasons:
(a) The project is consistent with the applicable Los Banos General Plan 2042 Land Use designation and Los Banos Zoning Regulations, as the proposed use is permitted within the zoning district and is compatible with the surrounding Commercial development;
(b) The project site occurs within the City Limits on a previously developed site surrounded by urban uses, including existing commercial development and associated infrastructure;
(c) The project site is substantially surrounded by urban uses and is located within an existing parking lot that has already been graded and improved, resulting in no significant impacts related to habitat value for endangered, rare or threatened
threatened species;
(d) Approval of the project would not result in any significant effects relating to traffic, noise, air quality, or water quality, as the facility is minor in scale and intended to serve existing customers within the developed area;
(d) The site is adequately served by all required utilities and public services, including water sewer, storm drainage, roadway access, and electrical infrastructure necessary to accommodate the proposed use.
For the reasons cited above, the project will not result in a significant environmental impact and qualifies for a Categorical Exemption pursuant to Section 15332 In-Fill Development Projects of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines.
County Clerk
Merced
Attachments
Final Document(s) [Approved_Certified draft environmental documents]
Notice of Exemption
Disclaimer: The Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation (LCI) accepts no responsibility for the content or accessibility of these documents. To obtain an attachment in a different format, please contact the lead agency at the contact information listed above. For more information, please visit LCI’s Accessibility Site.