Major Grading Permit for Accessory Dwelling Unit (GRAD2026-00097 / ED26-0147)

2026100271

San Luis Obispo County

NOE - Notice of Exemption

10/9/2026

10/9/2026

Jeremy Freund

County of San Luis Obispo

Senior Planner

Lead/Public Agency

976 Osos Street RM 200
San Luis Obispo, CA 93408

(805) 781-5621

jfreund@co.slo.ca.us

Ryan Pace

Property Owner

Applicant

Project Applicant

1210 Antler Drive
Arroyo Grande, CA 93420

(805) 252-3441

ryan@outwardwines.com

93420

8.68

044-312-032

1210 Antler Drive Arroyo Grande, CA 93420

Other

15061(b)(3)

The project includes grading for the construction of a 1,200 sq. ft. ADU with attached lower-level garage (563 sq. ft.), a lower-level covered patio with exterior stairs (850 sq. ft.) and retaining walls (19 linear feet). Grading will include creation of an ADU pad, driveway and utility trenching (water, septic, gas, and electric) and septic tank and leach field in an approximately 0.39-acre disturbance footprint in the Arroyo Grande area of San Luis Obispo County. The project is subject to the applicable subarea standards outlined in the County Code Section 22.98.054 Arroyo Grande Fringe [AP1.1][BM1.2]standards. Additionally, the project is proposed to be placed in an area that is not categorized as prime farmland and will not convert prime farmland to a non-agricultural use. A qualified biologist prepared a biological resource assessment (BRA) for the proposed project, including field surveys in June and August 2026 to document the existing conditions and evaluate the potential for any direct or indirect significant impacts on biological or on any rare, threatened, or endangered plant or wildlife species from construction of the ADU. Based on the findings described in the BRA and incorporation of the recommended avoidance measures, the ADU project would not result in any substantial adverse effects on biological or botanical resources. The BRA impact assessment reported that neither Pismo clarkia nor las panzas manzanitas were observed at the project site. It reported that no other special status plants were observed during the appropriately timed floristic inventory and rare plant surveys. Finally, the BRA reported that there was no suitable habitat in the project area for any of the regionally occurring special-status wildlife. The following BRA suggested avoidance measures are incorporated as conditions of approval: • Contractor environmental awareness will occur prior to any ground disturbance to describe special status species and protection measures if needed. • Nesting bird impact avoidance if any site disturbance activities are scheduled between Feb. 1 and Aug. 31 (general nesting bird season), nesting bird surveys shall be completed by qualified biologist with in 48 hours prior to start of work. If nests are discovered an appropriate buffer will be established until biologist determines the nest no longer active. • Oak tree protection and replacement for 10 oak trees that will be impacted; 20 one-gallon size coast live oak trees will be replanted following the County’s 2:1 replacement ratio. An oak tree replacement and reporting plan is prepared and will monitor for at least seven years. The BRA concluded that there are no creeks, drainages, ponds, puddles or other permanent or seasonal aquatic features, therefore, there are no waters of the U.S./State in the study area. Since the project is not located near a stream or in an area with known archaeological resources, impacts to cultural resources are not anticipated. In the unlikely event resources are uncovered during grading activities, implementation of County Code Section 22.10.040 (Archaeological Resources) would be required, which states: A. Construction activities shall cease, and the Department shall be notified so that the extent and location of discovered materials may be recorded by a qualified archaeologist, and disposition of artifacts may be accomplished in accordance with state and federal law. B. In the event archeological resources are found to include human remains, or in any other case when human remains are discovered during construction, the County Coroner shall be notified in addition to the Department so proper disposition may be accomplished. The site is suitable for the proposed development provided the recommendations contained in the Soils Engineering Report (Pacific Coast Testing, 2025) related to site preparation, earthwork, foundation, slabs, retaining walls and pavement sections are incorporated into the design. The Soils Engineering Report further explains that the project area has low potential for liquefaction, or for the proposed construction to be impacted from fault rupture. Existing grading and drainage regulations will adequately address surface water quality impacts during construction and permanent use of the ADU. The project will conform to the applicable General Plan and Area Plan standards, and no measures beyond those required by County Code are necessary to address the environmental impacts associated with the proposed project.