McDonald’s Drive-Thru Restaurant
CEQA Exemption
Appeal 26-09 for Subdivision 26-03 (Tentative Parcel Map No. 21096) &
Conditional Use Permit 25-02
June 17, 2026
Lead Agency:
City of San Bernardino
201 North “E” Street
San Bernardino, CA 92401
Christian James Calisaan, Associate Planner
(909) 998-2310
McDonald’s Drive-Thru Restaurant
City of San Bernardino
McDonald’s Drive-Thru Restaurant
CEQA Review
Introduction
Pursuant to the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines, a Notice of Exemption (NOE) may be filed if the City of San Bernardino, in its capacity as the lead agency, determines that a proposed action or project is exempt f rom the environmental review requirements of CEQA.
According to the CEQA Guidelines, a NOE must contain the following:
✓ A brief description of the proposed action or project; ✓ A finding that the proposed action or project is exempt, including a citation to the State CEQA Guidelines section or statute under which the project is found to be exempt; and, ✓ A brief statement in support of the finding.
This NOE provides a description of the proposed Arco ABC Type 20 License (the “Project”), indicates the applicable sections of CEQA that support the findings for a CEQA Exemption, and discusses the City of San Bernardino’s findings that are applicable to the proposed Project.
Background & Project Description
Project Title
McDonald’s Drive-Thru Restaurant
Lead Agency Name and Address
City of San Bernardino
Community Development and Housing Department – Planning Division 201 North E Street
San Bernardino, CA 92401
Project Manager and Phone Number
Christian James Calisaan, Associate Planner
(909) 998-2310
[email protected]
Project Applicant’s/Sponsor’s Name and Address
Design UA
Robert Preece
153 E. City Place Dr.
Santa Ana, CA 92705
McDonald’s Drive-Thru Restaurant
City of San Bernardino
Brief Project Description
The proposed project is located on the North west corner of W. Baseline Street and N. Sierra Way. The property consists of two commercial buildings that have been vacant since 2019.
The applicant is requesting the approval of Subdivision 26 -03 (Tentative Parcel Map No. 21096) and Conditional Use Permi 25 -02 to allow the consolidation of six (6) parcels into one (1) parcel containing approximately 0.74 acres to facilitate the developme nt, establishment, and operations of a restaurant with drive-thru (McDonald’s) containing approximately 3,684 square feet on said 0.74 acre property.
The proposed project will utilize the existing driveways and enhancing the frontage by incorporating lush landscaping and a monument sign to be placed on W. Baseline Street, to enhance the visual appeal of the site.
The internal site circulation has been designed to adequately accommodate on-site vehicular circulation as well as vehicular stacking to ensure that the flow of vehicles will not adversely affect the operations of McDonald’s restaurant. On -Site Traffic Mit igations has been created to ensure that staff can effectively
McDonald’s Drive-Thru Restaurant
City of San Bernardino
direct traffic flow for parking and the drive-thru lane. Designated "paths of travel" have also been provided to ensure pedestrian safety.
Environmental Setting
Project Location
Northwest Corner of W. Baseline Street and N. Sierra Way (APN: 0146-223-22, 23,24,25, & -26) Project/Surrounding Setting
Table 1 below provides a summary of the surrounding land use characteristics of the subject site and surrounding properties.
TABLE 1: SITE AND SURROUNDING LAND USES
LOCATION LAND USE ZONE GENERAL PLAN
DESIGNATION
Site Vacant Commercial General (CG-1) and
Transit Overlay District (TOD) Commercial
North Multi-Family
Residential Complex
Residential Medium (RM) and
Transit Overlay District (TOD) Residential
South Discount Tire Center Commercial General (CG-1) and Transit Overlay District (TOD) Commercial
East Fame Liquor Commercial General (CG-1) Commercial
West Dollar King Commercial General (CG-1) and
Transit Overlay District (TOD) Commercial
Table 2 below provides a site design analysis that illustrates the consistency of the project with the Development Code and General Plan.
TABLE 2: TRANSIT OVERLAY DISTRICT ZONE CONSISTENCY
PROPOSAL DEVELOPMENT CODE GENERAL PLAN
Land Use McDonald’s Drive-Thru
Restaurant
Permitted Subject to the
Approval of a CUP
Permitted subject to
the requirements of
the Development
Code
General Plan Designation
Current: Commercial
Proposed: Commercial
Zoning Designation
Current: Commercial General (CG-1)
Proposed: Commercial General (CG-1)
McDonald’s Drive-Thru Restaurant
City of San Bernardino
Project Approvals
Appeal 26-09 for Subdivision 25-03 (Tentative Parcel Map No. 21096) and Conditional Use Permit 25-02 Applicable CEQA Exemption
Class 32 Exemption (In-Fill Development Projects) Exemption The Community Development and Housing Department – Planning Division of the City of San Bernardino has reviewed the proposed Project and has determined that it is categorically exempt and qualifies for a Class 32 In-Fill Development Projects (CEQA Guidelines Section 15332). A Class 32 Exemption consists of projects characterized as in-fill development meeting the conditions described in this section. Examples of this exemption include but are not limited to:
1) The project is consistent with the applicable general plan designation and all applicable general plan policies as well as with applicable zoning designation and regulations. 2) The proposed development occurs within city limits on a project site of no more than five acres substantially surrounded by urban uses.
3) The project site has no value as habitat for endangered, rare or threatened species. 4) Approval of the project would not result in any significant effects relating to traffic, noise, air quality, or water quality.
5) The site can be adequately served by all required utilities and public services.
Reviewed and Approved By:
Christian James Calisaan
Associate Planner