Sierra Madre Blvd. Median Enhancement
Summary
SCH Number
2026080121
Public Agency
City of Pasadena
Document Title
Sierra Madre Blvd. Median Enhancement
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
8/5/2026
Document Description
The existing landscape median will be replaced with more drought tolerant plants including shrubs and groundcover and new shade trees along the 1.25 mile corridor. The project will also include installation of nature-based solutions and green infrastructure, including bioswales and bioretention, dry rock beds, and drywells to capture dry weather and wet weather surface flows.
Contact Information
Name
Dawn Petschauer
Agency Name
City of Pasadena, Public Works
Job Title
Stormwater Program Administrator
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency / Project Applicant
Phone
Location
Cities
Pasadena
Counties
Los Angeles
Regions
Southern California
Other Location Info
Sierra Madre Blvd. - Existing landscape median along 1.25-mile corridor between Washington Blvd. and Michillinda Ave.
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Chapter 3, §15301, Class 1, Existing Facilities
Reasons for Exemption
Class 1 exempts from environmental review the operation, repair, maintenance, permitting, leasing, licensing, or minor alteration of existing public or private structures, facilities, mechanical equipment, or topographical features, involving negligible or no expansion of existing or former use. The proposed project consists of enhancing the current medians with stormwater retention improvements—above and below ground—to capture dry weather and surface water flows to improve water quality, increase tree canopy to promote carbon sequestering and enrich aesthetic greening along this heavily urbanized corridor. No expansion of use would occur. There are no features that distinguish this project from others in the exempt class and there are no unusual circumstances. There are also no cumulative impacts of successive projects, the project is not within a highway designated as a state scenic highway, or on a hazardous waste site pursuant to Government Code Section 65962.5, and the project will not cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of a historical resource; no exceptions to the exemption apply.
County Clerk
Los Angeles
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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