Pinto Lake County Park Skatepark
Summary
SCH Number
2026070509
Public Agency
Santa Cruz County
Document Title
Pinto Lake County Park Skatepark
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
7/14/2026
Document Description
The project consists of the construction of a new skatepark and associated site improvements at Pinto Lake County Park, including modification of an existing biofiltration planter along Green Valley Road to comply with County Design Criteria (CDC) stormwater requirements. The skatepark will provide a public recreational facility serving County residents and park visitors. Associated improvements include removal of an existing asphalt path, installation of a cobble-lined swale and area drains to convey runoff to the modified biofiltration planter, and implementation of Low Impact Development (LID) measures and Best Management Practices (BMPs) to minimize hydrologic and pollutant impacts. The total new and replaced impervious area associated with the project is 9,733 square feet, classifying the project as a Large Project under the County Design Criteria and triggering full LID and BMP compliance requirements. The biofiltration planter will be redesigned to provide stormwater treatment and detention consistent with CDC requirements, including detention of runoff from the 10-year, 15-minute storm event at the 5-year pre-development release rate, as required for projects within the Salsipuedes Creek Watershed.
To accommodate the proposed skatepark, three (3) mature London Plane trees will be removed as part of site preparation. All remaining on-site trees will be protected in place pursuant to the recommendations of a certified arborist retained for the project. In response to the tree removals, six (6) new trees will be planted on-site, representing a net gain in tree canopy. In addition, all biofiltration planters and associated landscape areas will be planted with 100% native understory species, enhancing habitat value, supporting local pollinators, and reducing long-term landscape maintenance needs.
The skatepark footprint will be constructed on areas currently occupied by unused turf grass that required irrigation to maintain. The replacement of non-functional turf with the skatepark hardscape and native plantings will result in overall water savings, consistent with the County's water conservation goals and the State's urban water use reduction objectives. The remainder of the site will be retained in its natural state, further minimizing the project's environmental footprint.
Contact Information
Name
Mariana Colibri-Urgo
Agency Name
Santa Cruz County Parks, Open Space & Cultural Services
Job Title
Parks Planning Manager
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Name
Britta Denise Hardesty
Agency Name
Santa Cruz County Community Development & Infrastructure
Job Title
Principal Planner Environmental Planning
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Location
Counties
Santa Cruz
Regions
Northern California, Unincorporated
Zip
95076
Parcel #
050-142-12
Other Location Info
757 Green Valley Rd, Watsonville, CA
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 3 - New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures (California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Section 15303)
Reasons for Exemption
This project qualifies for a Class 3 Categorical Exemption under CEQA Guidelines Section 15303, which exempts the construction of limited new facilities in areas where the project will not create significant environmental effects. The proposed skatepark constitutes a small new recreational structure and associated accessory improvements on an existing developed park site. The zoning of the site is compatible with the proposed project, and a skate park was included in the approved master plan for the park in 2001. The project is limited in scope and confined to a discrete, previously disturbed area within Pinto Lake County Park and will not create significant environmental effects.
The project further satisfies the conditions for exemption under the following considerations:
1. Infill/Existing Developed Site: The project site is located within an existing county park on land that is currently developed with an asphalt path, grass field, and biofiltration planter. No native habitat, sensitive vegetation, or undisturbed land will be affected. Clearing and grading will be limited to the minimum area necessary to construct the project. The skatepark will be built entirely over areas currently occupied by unused but irrigated turf grass, thereby converting non-functional, water-intensive landscaping into an active public recreational amenity.
2. Tree Removal, Protection, and Net Canopy Gain: Three (3) mature London Plane trees will be removed to accommodate the skatepark footprint, while all remaining on-site trees will be protected in accordance with the recommendations of a certified arborist. Six (6) new trees will be planted on-site, resulting in a net gain of three trees and an increase in future canopy cover. The project therefore results in a net positive contribution to the urban forest and does not constitute a significant impact to tree resources.
3. Native Landscaping and Habitat Enhancement: All biofiltration planters and associated landscape areas will be planted with 100% native understory species. This represents a substantial improvement over the existing condition of non-native turf grass by increasing habitat value for native pollinators and wildlife, reducing the need for pesticides and fertilizers, and improving the long-term ecological function of the site. The incorporation of native plantings within the stormwater management infrastructure further enhances the project's environmental benefits.
4. Significant Water Conservation: Replacement of unused but irrigated turf grass with skatepark hardscape and drought-tolerant native plantings will result in significant long-term water savings. This is consistent with the County's water conservation objectives and statewide goals for reducing urban water consumption. The elimination of turf irrigation in this area represents a tangible environmental benefit.
5. Stormwater and Environmental Protection Measures: The project incorporates stormwater management measures consistent with County Design Criteria, including a modified biofiltration planter (SCM-1) designed to treat and detain runoff prior to discharge. The total new and replaced impervious area of 9,733 square feet triggers Large Project requirements under the County Design Criteria; accordingly, the project has been designed to comply with all applicable Low Impact Development (LID) and Best Management Practice (BMP) standards. Runoff will be managed to mimic existing drainage patterns, discharging to the gutter upstream of the roadside swale along Green Valley Road. LID measures include limiting soil compaction to areas beneath hardscape, minimizing the impervious footprint to the skatepark area, and retaining the remainder of the site in its natural state to minimize hydrologic and water quality impacts.
6. No Unusual Circumstances: There are no unusual circumstances that would result in a significant environmental effect. A geotechnical investigation conducted by Krazan & Associates, Inc. (October 2024) identified groundwater at approximately 18 feet below grade, posing no significant constraint. Soil conditions have been incorporated into the stormwater management design. The site does not contain known sensitive species, cultural resources, or hazardous materials that would require additional environmental review. Tree removals are limited in number, offset by new plantings, and managed under certified arborist oversight, and therefore do not constitute an unusual circumstance under CEQA Guidelines Section 15300.2.
7. No Exception Applies: None of the exceptions to categorical exemptions identified in CEQA Guidelines Section 15300.2 apply. The site is not located in a particularly sensitive environment, does not involve hazardous materials, is not adjacent to a designated scenic highway, and will not result in cumulative impacts. The project is consistent with the park's existing recreational use, provides net environmental benefits through canopy gain, native habitat enhancement, and water conservation, and will not result in significant environmental effects due to unusual circumstances.
Mitigation Measures: No mitigation measures are required. Stormwater Best Management Practices (BMPs) and Low Impact Development (LID) measures incorporated into the project design are standard engineering controls required by the County Design Criteria and do not constitute mitigation under CEQA.
County Clerk
Santa Cruz
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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