HomeMy WebLinkAbout5/11/2022 Item 4a, Corey/Hanh - Staff Agenda CorrespondenceCity of San Luis Obispo, Council Memorandum
City of San Luis Obispo
Planning Commission Agenda Correspondence
Memorandum
DATE: May 11, 2022
TO: Planning Commission
FROM: Tyler Corey, Deputy Director Community Development
VIA: Hannah Hanh, Associate Planner
SUBJECT: ITEM #4a – USE-0103-2022 (1701 MONTEREY STREET)
DISCUSSION
The memorandum provides City staff response to comments received from members of
the public regarding the environmental determination for the 1701 Monterey Street
project.
Public Comment re: Environmental Determination. The California Environmental Quality
Act (CEQA) exemption as described in Section 15301 (Existing Facilities) appears to be
inadequate because the project is not a negligible expansion of the former retail use and
will include multiple uses that may result in noise, lighting, and traffic impacts.
Response: City staff has determined that the project qualifies for an exemption under
Section 15301 (Existing Facilities) because the new uses are negligible in light of code
requirements and conditions that address potential impacts related to traffic, noise,
lighting, etc. to less than a significant level.
In addition, City staff has revised the Draft Resolution (Attachment A) to state that the
project also qualifies for an exemption under Section 15332 (In-Fill Development). The
project qualifies for this exemption because it is consistent with applicable General Plan
policies and Zoning Regulations, is located on a site that is less than five acres in size
(3.63 acres) surrounded by other urban uses (existing hotels/motels, restaurant, service
station, and vehicle repair services), and is not a habitat for endangered, rare, or
threatened species because it is a developed urban site. Approval of the project will not
result in any significant effects relating to traffic, noise, air or water quality, and the site is
served by all required utilities and public services. These environmental factors are
addressed as follows:
USE-0103-2022 (1701 Monterey Street) Page 2
• Traffic – The Traffic Division reviewed the project and determined that the
proposed uses would not generate a number of trips that substantially exceeds
trips associated with the former retail use (approximately 30 peak PM trips).
Therefore, the project would not result in traffic-related impacts.
• Noise – Uses are proposed within the project building or outdoor areas enclosed
with solid fencing, which are buffered by existing buildings and accessory
structures onsite. Proposed uses will occur a minimum of 180 feet away from the
top of bank and approximately 250 feet away from the nearest residential property
line to the south. The project shall comply with the noise thresholds outlined in the
noise ordinance for the C-T zone, which are 60 dBA from 10 p.m. – 7:00 a.m. and
65 dBA from 7:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. To ensure ongoing compliance, staff is also
recommending Conditions #10–15 for limitations on indoor live entertainment and
outdoor activities. Therefore, the project would not result in noise-related impacts.
• Air Quality – Construction-related emissions associated with the project is
temporary and is limited to minor improvements to the project building and parking
area. In addition, operation of the uses would not result generate emissions that
exceed thresholds outlined in the Climate Action Plan.
• Water Quality – The project is not proposing access to the creek. In addition,
Condition #9 requires that any liquid discharge from the food trucks shall be
contained and properly disposed of by the applicant. Therefore, the project would
not result in any impact to water quality.