PL24-0309 – Chestnut Drive 6-lot Residential Subdivision Map
Summary
SCH Number
2026060564
Public Agency
City of Escondido
Document Title
PL24-0309 – Chestnut Drive 6-lot Residential Subdivision Map
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
6/12/2026
Document Description
Approval of a Tentative Subdivision Map to subdivide a 4.15-acre lot into six residential lots, with three “letter” lots (two open space lots, and one private street lot), for the purposes of single-family residential development. The Project includes necessary on and off-site improvements, including the demolition of an existing approximately 1,740-square-foot single-family residence, as well as grading, landscaping, open space, public and private street and sidewalk improvements. The Project also includes three grading exemptions to the north, southeast, and west of the project site. The project site has a General Plan land use designation of Suburban (S), and is zoned Single-Family Residential (R-1-10).
Contact Information
Name
Alex Rangel
Agency Name
City of Escondido
Job Title
Associate Planner
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Name
Robert D'Amaro
Agency Name
Masson & Associates
Job Title
Senior Project Manager
Contact Types
Project Applicant / Parties Undertaking Project
Phone
Location
Cities
Escondido
Counties
San Diego
Regions
Southern California
Cross Streets
Chestnut St., 5th Avenue
Zip
92025
Total Acres
4.15
Parcel #
233-480-23-00
Other Location Info
The 4.15-acre site is located on the east side of Chestnut St. and south of E. 5th Avenue, and is addressed at 500 Chestnut St. 500 Chestnut St.
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Section 15332 "In-Fill Development Projects"
Reasons for Exemption
The proposed Project is categorically exempt pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15332 (“In-Fill Development Projects”), in that the proposed Project complies with the exemption criteria necessary to be exempt from further environmental review as detailed below:
Exemption Criteria: Justification
(a) The project is consistent with the applicable general plan designation and all applicable general plan policies as well as with applicable zoning designation and regulations.
The project site has a General Plan land use designation of Suburban (S) and is zoned R-1-10 (Single-Family Residential). Within the Suburban land use designation, maximum densities are prescribed according to slope criteria on a sliding scale. Within the subject property, maximum density would be permitted at 2.67 dwelling units per acre (du/ac). The project would provide six single-family units on a 4.15-acre site, which results in a density of 1.44 du/ac, and would be consistent with the General Plan land use designation and density for the site. The City’s zoning code allows for single-family residential development on the project site with a minimum lot size of 10,000 square feet. The Project does not propose to amend the General Plan designation or zoning for the project site, and the project would be consistent with the General Plan and zoning development designations. Therefore, the Project as proposed is consistent with the applicable general plan designation and all applicable general plan policies as well as with applicable zoning designation and regulations, and thereby meets criterion a.
(b) The proposed development occurs within city limits on a project site of no more than five acres substantially surrounded by urban uses.
The project site encompasses 4.15 acres located within the city limits of the incorporated City of Escondido. Urban uses are defined under PRC Section 21072 as including “any residential, commercial, public institutional, transit or transportation passenger facility, or retail use, or any combination of those uses.” The project site is adjacent to or separated by only a public right-of-way single-family residential urban use on all sides. Therefore, the Project occurs within city limits on a project site of no more than five acres substantially surrounded by urban uses, and thereby meets criterion b.
(c) The project site has no value, as habitat for endangered, rare or threatened species.
The project site is currently developed with an existing single-family home. Landscaping currently consists of low-lying shrubs and native tree coverage, which do not provide habitat suitable for endangered, rare, or threatened species. The project site is surrounded by urban development and does not serve as a wildlife corridor. Consequently, the project site has no value as habitat for endangered, rare, or threatened species, and thereby meets criterion c.
(d) Approval of the project would not result in any significant effects relating to traffic, noise, air quality, or water quality.
An initial assessment of impacts related to traffic, noise, air quality, and water quality has been prepared to evaluate the potential effects of the project. Based on supporting sources and project-specific studies, the Project as proposed would not result in significant effects related to traffic, noise, air quality, or water quality, thereby meeting criterion d.
(e) The site can be adequately served by all required utilities and public services. The project site has previously been served by public utilities and services. Therefore, connections to existing water, wastewater, stormwater, electric, and telecommunications services are available at the project site. As the project is consistent with General Plan, and therefore the population projections for the City, the increased demand for these facilities is anticipated by the City and would be accommodated by the City through payment of development impact fees. Connections to existing utilities and existing public services would adequately serve the project site and the project would not require new utilities or services to be provided by the City or other public utility agency. The project therefore would meet criterion e.
Further, the Project also does not trigger any exceptions to categorical exemptions identified in CEQA Guidelines section 15300.2. in that:
• Location. The proposed Project is not pursuing a class 3, 4, 5, 6, or 11 Categorical Exemption; therefore, this exception is not applicable to the Project.
• Cumulative Impact. The proposed Project would not result in a cumulative impact from successive projects of the same type in the same place, over time, as the Project is consistent with the General Plan policies which were addressed in the General Plan Final EIR.
• Significant Effect. As detailed in the Planning Commission staff report, dated June 9, 2026, no significant environmental effects related to traffic, noise, air quality, or water quality would occur as a result of the Project. The area of impact is located within an urban area of the City, and would be developed into six single-family residential lots located within an R-1-10 zone. No unusual circumstances are surrounding the Project which would result in a reasonable possibility of a significant effect on the environment.
• Scenic Highways. The proposed Project would not damage scenic resources, including trees, historic buildings, rock outcroppings, or similar resources as none are located on the project site.
• Hazardous Waste Sites. The proposed Project is not located on a site as referenced in Section 65952.5 of the California Government Code.
• Historical Resources. The proposed Project is not on a site which contains a significant resource, and would not cause a substantially adverse change to the significance of a historical resource.
County Clerk
San Diego
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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