SDP 2024-0016/NCP 2024-0005 (DEV2023-0160)– 3580 MADISON ST UNITS

2026070266

City of Carlsbad

NOE - Notice of Exemption

7/8/2026

7/8/2026

LAUREN YZAGUIRRE

CITY OF CARLSBAD PLANNING DIVISION

SENIOR PLANNER

Lead/Public Agency

1635 FARADAY AVENUE
CARLSBAD, CA 92008

(442) 339-2634

LAUREN.YZAGUIRRE@carlsbadca.gov

MATT WELCH

APPLICANT

APPLICANT

Project Applicant

2061 Cima Ct.
CARLSBAD, CA 92009

(805) 878-6081

MATT@MTWPROP.COM

204-173-07-00

3580 Madison Street (APN 204-173-07-00)

Categorical Exemption

New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures – Section 15303

CEQA Section 15303(b) allows for the construction of duplex or similar multi-family residential structure totaling no more than four dwelling units, while subsection (a) allows for the construction of accessory dwelling units in a residential zone. The project proposes the demolition of an existing single-family dwelling unit (Unit 2) and construction of an addition and remodel to the remaining existing single-family dwelling unit (Unit 1) to convert Unit 1 into a duplex with an attached one-car garage and two-car garage. Specifically, the project proposed a 2,147-square foot addition and remodel to Unit 1 to create a 2,865-square-foot duplex. The project also includes the construction of two detached 1,200-square-foot accessory dwelling units (ADUs). The project is located within the Barrio Center (BC) District of the Village and Barrio Master Plan (VBMP), which allows residential uses by-right. 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. This project is eligible for Class 3 exemption. Response – The project site is not located within an Existing or Proposed Hardline Conservation Area or Standards Area of the Habitat Management Plan. The site has been previously graded and is currently developed with two existing single-family residences. Therefore, the project will not have an impact on an environmental resource of hazardous or critical concern. 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 to conclude that significant impacts will occur based on past project approvals or that the proposed Project's impacts are cumulatively considerable when evaluating any cumulative impacts associated with construction air quality, noise, transportation, or water quality in the area surrounding the proposed Project. The Project, and all future projects, will be required to comply with all applicable local, regional, and state laws, regulations, and guidelines, and as described above, any potential impact caused by the Project’s construction and operation would continue to be less than significant and would not contribute significantly to regional cumulative impact in the broader project region. 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. Examples include projects, which may affect scenic or historical resources.” Response – There are no unusual circumstances that would have a significant impact on the environment due to the project. The Project does not involve any unusual circumstances. The project site is not located within an existing or proposed Hardline Conservation Areas or Standards Areas of the Habitat Management Plan. The project site was previously disturbed and developed with two existing single-family dwellings. The project site is not listed on any local, state, or federal register of historic resources, nor has it been identified as potentially eligible per the Cultural Resources Report prepared for the subject site dated March 17, 2024. The project site is currently developed with two single family dwellings constructed in the late 1940s to early 1950s. The buildings do not possess any architectural or historical significance and do not qualify as an early historical resource under CEQA guidelines. Therefore, the project will not result in a substantial adverse change to any historical resource, and 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 – Madison Street is not considered a historical and scenic corridor throughout Carlsbad, is not a highway officially designated as a State Scenic Highway, nor is it easily visible from a Carlsbad historical or scenic corridor or State Scenic Highway. The project site is also surrounded on all sides by existing residential structures. Therefore, implementation of the project will result in similar visual conditions compared with a no project scenario. 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 the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) Hazardous Waste and Substance Site (CORTESE) List and has not been previously developed or used for any other purpose. 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 – Pursuant to the Historic Resource Report prepared for the project site (Kristi Hawthorne, March 16, 2024) the project site is not listed on any local, state, or federal register of historic resources, nor has it been identified as potentially eligible. The project site is currently developed with two single-family homes constructed in the late 1940s to early 1950s. The buildings do not possess any architectural or historical significance and do not qualify as historical resources under CEQA guidelines. Therefore, the project will not result in a substantial adverse change to any historical resource, and 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 – In regard to biological resources, the project site is not located within an Existing or Proposed Hardline Conservation Area or Standards Area of the Habitat Management Plan, and the site has been previously graded and developed with two existing single-family dwellings. Therefore, the project will have no effects on biological resources. 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. Hazardous materials, unstable soils or other factors requiring special review do not apply or are not found within this project location. 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 Carlsbad Municipal Code Section 19.04.070(B) do not apply.