AttachmentB_MND_Cemetery.pdf — Santa Maria City Council, November 7, 2023

SANTA MARIA CEMETERY DISTRICT EXPANSION APRIL 17, 2023
GPZ2021-0003 & PD2022-0014 INITIAL ST UDY/MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION PAGE 1 OF 10

CITY OF SANTA MARIA

INITIAL ENVIRONMENTAL STUDY

MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION
APRIL 17, 2023

SANTA MARIA CEMETERY GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT, REZONE,

AND PLANNED DEVELOPMENT PERMIT
(GPZ2021-0003 & PD2022-0014)
600 Block of East Newlove Drive
Santa Maria, California 93458
Assessor’s Parcel Number: 128-079-026 128-076-032

PROJECT SUMMARY

Project Description Review of a General Plan Land Use Map Amendment and Zone Change FROM MDR-12 (Medium Density Residential) land use designation and R-2 (Medium Density Residential) zoning TO CF (Community Facilities) and PF (Public Facilities and Institutional) land use and zoning designation and a Planned Development Permit (PD2022-0014) for the Santa Maria
Cemetery District to construct a 2,550-square-foot prefabricated storage building with attached 544-square foot office and break room, with at 15,900-square-foot gravel base storage area and associated site improvements on a 0.87-acre site.

Location 600 Block of East Newlove Drive
Assessor's Parcel No. 128-079-026 128-076-032
General Plan Designation Existing: MDR-12
Proposed: PF CF
Zoning Existing: R-2
Proposed: PF
Size of Site 0.87 acres
Present Use Undeveloped, vacant
Proposed Uses Cemetery District Maintenance Building and storage yard Access East Newlove Drive, South College Avenue
Surrounding Uses/Zoning
North R-2 – Medium Density Residential
South
PD/R-1 8,000 – Planned Development/Single Family
Residential (minimum lot size 8,000 square feet)
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East PF – Public Facilities
West R-2 – Medium Density Residential
Parking 9 spaces
Setbacks
Front Required: 15 feet
Proposed: 115 feet
Side Required: 10 feet
Proposed: 93-feet (south), 20-feet (north)
Rear Required: 10 feet
Proposed: 20 feet
Height 3-stories or 35 feet
Building Coverage 8.2%
Landscape Area 7,588-square-feet; 20% of site area
Storm Water Retardation 772-square-foot stormwater basin Fencing Proposed 6-foot-tall privacy fence along easterly boundary and existing CMU boundary wall on all other frontages
Related files/Actions City of Santa Maria Community Development Department:

General Plan Amendment and Rezone (GPZ2021-0003),
Planned Development Permit (PD2022-0014)
Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District
(SBCAPCD): Stationary source Authority to Construct (ATC), Permit to Operate (PTO) for point sources in development.

Santa Barbara County Environmental Health Services: Former on-site industrial facility hazardous materials remediation California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC):

Remediation of existing and past soil contamination due to former on-site and surrounding oil and gas production, and electric company operations.

California Geologic Energy Management Division (CalGEM):

Review of 10’ no-build easement around on-site capped oil well.

City of Santa Maria Public Works Department: Merger
Applicant/Agent/Owner Santa Maria Cemetery District
Procedure Planning Commission and City Council consideration and action regarding a Mitigated Negative Declaration of environmental impacts for Santa Maria Cemetery District Expansion General Plan Amendment and Rezone (GPZ2021-0003) and Planned
Development Permit (PD2022-0014).

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GENERAL AREA DESCRIPTION:

The project site is currently undeveloped and is bordered on the west side by the Rio Vista Homes single- family subdivision and to the south by the Crowe Properties Single Family Residential Subdivision. To the east of the property is the Santa Maria Cemetery, and there are additional medium density residential areas to the north.

ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING:

Existing development in the project vicinity includes the Enos Ranchos Specific Plan area with apartments, automobile dealerships, an elementary school and regional shopping center to the east across College Drive. To the north, south and west are residential land uses.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION:

A request by Santa Maria Cemetery for a General Plan Amendment (GPA) and rezone to allow for general plan land use designation and zoning ordinance designation changes on a 0.87-acre parcel located in the southeast portion of the city and allow for a Planned Development (PD) Permit for a cemetery district maintenance facility. The project site is currently undeveloped.

The project proposes to change the current l and use designation from Medium Density Residential (MDR -12) to Community Facilities (CF), and the current zoning from R -2 (Medium Density Residential) to PF (Public Facilities and Institutional). This change would allow construction of a proposed 2,550-square-foot prefabricated storage building with an attached 544-square-foot prefabricated office and break room, a 15,857-square- foot gravel base outdoor storage area, and associated site improvements such as parking, landscaping, and stormwater retention facilities. Access to the project site would be from East Newlove Drive or South College Drive through the Cemetery District property.

PROJECT REVIEW:

The environmental impacts associated with the development of the site were determined using the City of Santa Maria Staff Project Environmental Checklist (attached), on -site inspection, various computer models, and information provided by the applicant.

Potentially significant adverse environmental impacts were identified in the areas of Air Quality, Cultural Resources, Geology and Soils, Hazards and Hazardous Materials, Noise, and Tribal Cultural Resources.

Based on the above- mentioned sources, no advers e impacts are associated with Aesthetics, Agriculture and Forest Resources, Biological Resources, Energy, Greenhouse SANTA MARIA CEMETERY DISTRICT EXPANSION APRIL 17, 2023
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Gas Emissions, Hydrology and Water Quality, Land Use and Planning, Mineral Resources, Population and Housing, Public Services, Recreation, Transportation, Utilities and Service Systems, or Wildfire.

The following discussion of the potential adverse environmental impacts includes mitigation measures which would reduce all identified impacts to a level of insignificance, and are recommended to be included in the conditions of approval for the project. If the decision makers wish to delete a mitigation measure which is proposed to mitigate a significant impact, an alternative mitigation measure should be agreed to by the applicant and made part of the project. Verification that these mitigation measures have been implemented will be monitored as described in Section 8 of the City of Santa Maria's Environmental Procedures. The monitoring checklist is included at the end of this report.

Air Quality
Annual construction emissions of all criteria pollutants from the project would be below SBCAPCD’s 25 tons per year threshold for the project construction. However, because the Santa Barbara County portion of the South Central Coast Air Basin ( SCCAB) is a nonattainment area for the state PM
10 standard, construction emissions control
measures are required for all projects involving earthmoving activities regardless of size or duration. Therefore, Mitigation Measure AQ -1 has been identified to reduce construction emissions in accordance with loc al regulatory policies, such construction emissions control measures would be shown on grading and building plans.

AQ-1 Construction Emissions Control Measures. The project applicant shall install the following air pollutant emissions control measures thr oughout the construction period:

Dust Control Measures
During construction, the applicant shall implement all of the applicable measures from the following list as standard dust control measures to avoid impacts associated with fugitive dust emissions:
a. Use water trucks or sprinkler systems to keep all areas of vehicle movement damp enough to prevent dust from leavin g the site and from exceeding the APCD’s limit of 20% opacity for greater than 3 minutes in any 60- minute period. At a minimum, this should include wetting down such areas in the late morning and after work is completed for the day.

Increased watering frequency should be required whenever the wind speed exceeds 15 mph. Reclaimed water should be used whenever possible. However, reclaimed water should not be used in or around crops for human consumption.
b. Minimize amount of disturbed area and reduce on site ve hicle speeds to 15 mph or less.
c. If importation, exportation and stockpiling of fill material is involved, soil stockpiled for more than two days shall be covered, kept moist, or treated SANTA MARIA CEMETERY DISTRICT EXPANSION APRIL 17, 2023
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with soil binders to prevent dust generation. Trucks transporting fill material to and from the site shall be tarped from the point of origin. d. Gravel pads shall be installed at all access points to prevent tracking of mud onto public roads.
e. After clearing, grading, earth moving or excavation is completed, treat the disturbed area by watering, or revegetating, or by spreading soil binders until the area is paved or otherwise developed so that dust generation will not occur.
f. Schedule clearing, grading, earthmoving, and excavation activities during periods of low wind speed to the extent feasible. During periods of high winds (>25 mph) clearing, grading, earthmoving, and excavation operations shall be minimized to prevent fugitive dust created by onsite operations from becoming a nuisance or hazard.
g. The contractor or builder shall designate a person or persons to monitor the dust control program and to order increased watering, as necessary, to prevent transport of dust offsite. Their duties shall include holiday and weekend periods when work may not be in progress. The name and telephone number of such persons shall be provided to the APCD prior to land use clearance for map recordation and land use clearance for finish grading of the structure.

Equipment Emissions Control Measures
During project grading and construction, the applicant shall adhere to the following measures to reduce NO
X and PM 2.5 emissions from construction
equipment:
a. All portable diesel -powered construction equipment shall be registered with the state’s portable equipment registration program OR shall obtain an APCD permit.
b. Fleet owners of mobile construction equipment are subject to the CARB Regulation for In-use Off-road Diesel Vehicles (Title 13 California Code of Regulations, Chapter 9, § 2449), the purpose of which is to reduce diesel PM and criteria pollut ant emissions from in- use (existing) off -road diesel- fueled vehicles. For more information, please refer to the CARB website at www.arb.ca.gov/msprog/ordiesel/ordiesel.htm.
c. All commercial diesel vehicles are subject to Title 13, § 2485 of the California Code of Regulations, limiting engine idling time. Idling of heavy - duty diesel construction equipment and trucks during loading and unloading shall be limited to five minutes; electric auxiliary power units should be used whenever possible.
d. Diesel construction equipment meeting the CARB Tier 3 or higher emission standards for off-road heavy-duty diesel engines shall be used to the maximum extent feasible.
e. Diesel powered equipment should be replaced by electric equipment whenever feasible.

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f. If feasible, diesel construction equipment shall be equipped with selective catalytic reduction systems, diesel oxidation catalysts and diesel particulate filters as certified and/or verified by EPA or California. g. Catalytic converters shall be installed on gasoline- powered equipment, if feasible.
h. All construction equipment shall be maintained in tune per the manufacturer’s specifications.
i. The engine size of construction equipment shall be the minimum practical size.
j. The number of construction equipment operating simultaneously shall be minimized through efficient management practices to ensure that the smallest practical number is operating at any one time.

Fugitive Dust Control
The project applicant shall comply with SBCAPCD’s Rule 345: Control of Fugitive Dust from Construction and Demolition Activities including all applicable standards and measures therein.

Diesel-fired Engine Permits
All portable diesel-fired construction engines rated at 50 brake horsepower (bhp) or greater must have either statewide Portable Equipment Registration Program (PERP) certificates or SBCAPCD permits prior to grading/building permit issuance. Construction engines with PERP certificates are exempt from SBCAPCD permit, provided they will be onsite for less than 12 months.

Permit to Operate
If contaminated soils are found at the project site, SBCAPCD must be contacted to determine if ATC and/or Permit to Operate permits shall be required. (SBCAPCD permits are required for all soil vapor extraction activities. SBCAPCD permits are also required for the excavation, or “dig-and-haul,” of more than 1,000 cubic yards of contaminated soils.)
Equipment Idling Requirements
At all times, idling of heavy -duty diesel trucks should be minimized; auxiliary power units should be used whenever possible. State law requires that:
 Drivers of diesel -fueled commercial vehicles shall not idle the vehicle's primary diesel engine for greater than five minutes at any location.  Drivers of diesel- fueled commercial vehicles shall not idle a diesel -fueled auxiliary power system (APS) for more than five minutes to power a heater, air conditioner, or any ancillary equipment on the vehicle. Trucks with 2007 or newer model year engines must meet additional requirements (verified clean APS label required).
 See www.arb.ca.gov/noidle for more information.

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Asphalt Paving Requirements
Asphalt paving activities shall comply with APCD Rule 329, Cutback and Emulsified Asphalt Paving Materials.

Cultural Resources
The project site does not contain, nor is it located near, any historic resources identified in the National Register of Historic Places or California Register of Historic Resources.

According to the City’s General Plan Resources Management Element, the Santa Maria Valley is not a major archaeological or paleontological resource area, as only a few sites have been recorded or discovered in the area. Nevertheless, ground disturbance associated with future construction activities could inadvertently uncover previously unknown, buried archeological depos its. Inadvertent disturbance of unknown buried resources is considered a potentially significant impact.

Based on previous site disturbance and manipulation, buried human remains are not expected in the site area. In the event of an accidental discovery or recognition of any human remains during future construction activities, California State Health and Safety Code Section 7050.5 stipulates that no further disturbances shall occur until the County Coroner has made the necessary findings as to origin and disposition pursuant to CEQA regulations and Public Resources Code Section 5097.98. With adherence to State Health and Safety Code Section 7050.5, which stipulates the process to be followed when human remains are encountered, and Mitigation Measure CR -1, i mpacts related to the disturbance of archaeological resources and human remains.

CR-1 Inadvertent Discovery of Archaeological Resources. In the event that any cultural resource is encountered during subsurface earthwork activities associated with development of the project site, all construction activities within a 100- foot radius of the find shall cease and the City shall be notified immediately. Work shall not continue until a qualified archaeologist, in conjunction with locally affiliated Native American representative(s) as necessary, determines whether the uncovered resource requires further study. Any previously unidentified resources found during construction shall be recorded on appropriate California Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) 523 Seri es forms and evaluated for significance in terms of CEQA criteria by a qualified archaeologist. Potentially significant cultural resources consist of, but are not limited to, stone, bone, glass, ceramic, wood, or shell artifacts; fossils; or features inclu ding hearths, structural remains, or historic dumpsites.

The archaeologist shall also perform appropriate technical analysis, prepare a comprehensive report, and file it with the Central Coast Information Center, located at the University of California, Santa Barbara, and provide for the permanent curation of the recovered materials. These actions would reduce impacts to a less than significant level.

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CR-2 Inadvertent Discovery of Human Remains. In the event that human remains are exposed during subsurface earthwork activities associated with development of the project, an immediate halt work order shall be issued, and the City Community Development Department shall be notified. State Health and Safety Code Section 7050.5 requires that no further disturbance of the site or any nearby area reasonably suspected to overlie adjacent human remains shall occur until the County Coroner has made the necessary findings as to origin and disposi tion pursuant to PRC Section 5097.98. If the remains are determined to be of Native American descent, the coroner shall notify the Native American Heritage Commission (NAHC) within 24 hours. These protocols shall be detailed on project grading and construction plans for all development on- site. These actions would reduce impacts to a less than significant level.

Geology and Soils
The project site had been in use for oil and gas production without any documented evidence or discovery of paleontological resources. Although the actual depth to the underlying formations that have a potential to possess paleontological resources is unknown, cross sections indicate that the surficial alluvium is a substantial depth of over 100 feet. Constructi on excavation would not occur at sufficient depths to risk encountering these formations. Nevertheless, the potential accidental discovery of paleontological resources could still occur. Therefore, Mitigation Measure GEO -1, which includes measures to protect and evaluate unanticipated finds, would be required for the project to ensure that potential impacts to previously undiscovered paleontological resources would be less than significant.

GEO-1 Inadvertent Discovery of Paleontological Resources. Should an y vertebrate fossils or potentially significant finds (e.g., numerous well-preserved invertebrate or plant fossils) be encountered during work on-site, all activities in the immediate vicinity of the find shall cease until a qualified paleontologist evaluates the find for its scientific value. If deemed significant, the paleontological resource(s) shall be salvaged and deposited in an accredited and permanent scientific institution where they will be properly curated and preserved. These actions would reduc e impacts to a less than significant level.

Hazards and Hazardous Materials
Preliminary project site investigations have identified elevated concentrations of total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) above Environmental Screening Levels ( ESL). While site investigation and remediation of TPH has been completed and the Santa Barbara County Environmental Health Services has found no further cleanup action is required at this time , disturbance on the project site for development of the proposed publ ic facility uses could result in potential significant impacts related hazardous materials identified onsite. Mitigation Measure HAZ -1 which involves conditions for remediation provided by EHS would be required prior to construction of the project in the event future contamination is found.

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HAZ-1 Site Remediation. The applicant shall implement the following measures prior to construction of the project:
 Under the direction of a Professional Civil Engineer in Responsible Charge, the project applicant shall monitor the site conditions, notify the Santa Barbara County Environmental Health Services Division (EHS) of any future contamination findings, and complete any clean- up work under the direction of EHS. The project applicant shall obtain al l permits and appropriate clearances from applicable agencies prior to initiating fieldwork.

Noise
The project is located in an urbanized area surrounded by residential development, public facilities, and a roadway. Proposed construction activities onsite would take place within 50 feet of surrounding residential single- family and multi -family dwellings and therefore would have the potential to exceed City exterior noise thresholds for those land uses.

Mitigation measures NOI-1 and NOI-2 have been recommended to minimize all potential impacts related to construction noise, associated with the development of the site under the Land Use and Zoning Amendment and Planned Development project. These measures include adherence to City construction work hours, imple mentation of noise control for stationary equipment, and proper maintenance of all equipment to avoid unnecessary increased noise levels. Construction related noise would be limited in duration and nature, and the project does not propose land uses that would generate excessive noise during project operation.

NOI-1 During construction of any future development within the project parcel, construction activity shall be limited to the hours between 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. on weekdays, and between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on Saturdays in accordance with the General Plan Noise Element. No construction shall occur on Sundays or federal or state holidays. Construction equipment maintenance shall be limited to the same hours. Non-noise generating construction activities without mechanical equipment are not subject to these restrictions.

NOI-2 During construction of any future development within the project parcel, all equipment shall be properly maintained to ensure that no additional noise, due to worn or improperly maintained parts, is generated. Stockpiling and vehicle staging areas shall be located as far as practical from sensitive noise receptors. Every effort shall be made to create the greatest distance between noise sources and sensitive receptors during construction activities.

Tribal Cultural Resources
The project site does not contain any known tribal cultural resources that have been listed, or are eligible for listing, in the California Register of Historical Resources, or in a local register of historical resources as defined in Public Resources Code section 5020.1(k).

The potential for the existence of buried archaeological materials within the project area is considered low based on the historic physical setting and extent of previous disturbance.

Despite the low sensitivity of the site, discovery of unknown subsurface resources during future earthmoving activities is always a possibility. Unknown significant subsurface resour@s, as described in Section 5 - Cultural Resources, would be considered significant tribal cultural resources, as well. Standard mitigation has been proposed to ensure impacts to any unknown resources that may be encountered during project development would be avoided and/or minimized; therefore, potential project impacts would be less than significant with mitigation.

Mitigation Measure(s) incorporated into the project:
lmplement Mitigation Measures CR-l and CR-2.

ENVIRONMENTAL RECOMMENDATION :

Based on the information available at the time of preparation this report and, without benefit of additional information which may come to light at the public hearing, the Environmental Officer recommends that a Negative Declaration be filed for Santa Maria Cemetery District Expansion prolect based upon information contained in GPZ2O21-O003 andPD2O22-0O14.

PREPARED BY
City of Santa Maria
Comm un i$ Development Department
1 1O South Pine Streel, #101
Santa Maria, CA 93458
CarolZiese nne, Environmental Analyst
q lt /z."rs
Wu, Environmental Officer Date
SANTA MARIA CEMETERY DISTRICT EXPANSION APRIL 17,2023
GPZ2O21-OOO3 & PD2O22-OO'14 INITIAL STUDY/MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION PAGE 1O OF 1O
r{

CITY OF SANTA MARIA
Environmental Checklist / Initial Study
Santa Maria Cemetery GPZ & PD Permit
(GPZ2021-0003 & PD2022-0014) SCH# 2023040484

1. Project Title and Location
Santa Maria Cemetery General Plan Amendment, Rezone, and Planned Development Permit 600 Block of East Newlove Drive
Santa Maria, CA 93455
APN: 128-079-026 128-076-032

2. Lead Agency, Contact and Preparer
Carol Ziesenhenne, Senior Planner
City of Santa Maria
Community Development Department
110 South Pine Street, #101
Santa Maria, CA 93458

3. Project Applicant’s Name and Address
Brendan Hannegan
Cemetery District Manager
1501 South College Drive, Santa Maria, CA 93455
805-925-4595

4. General Plan Designation
Existing: Medium Density Residential (MDR-12)
Proposed: Community Facilities (CF)

5. Zoning Designation
Existing: R-2 (Medium Density Residential)
Proposed: PF (Public Facilities and Institutional)

6. Brief Description of Project
A request by Santa Maria Cemetery for a General Plan Amendment (GPA) and rezone to allow for general plan land use designation and zoning ordinance designation changes on a 0.87-acre parcel located in the southeast portion of the city and allow for a Planned Development (PD) Permit for a cemetery district maintenance facility (Figure 1). The project site is currently undeveloped (Figure 2).

The project proposes to change the current land use designation from Medium Density Residential (MDR-12) to Community Facilities (CF), and the current zoning from R-2 (Medium Density Residential) to PF (Public Facilities and Institutional). This change would allow construction of a proposed 2,550-square-foot pre-fabricated storage building with an attached 544-square-foot pre-fabricated office and break room, a 15,857-square-foot gravel base outdoor storage area, and associated site improvements such as parking, landscaping, and stormwater retention facilities. Table 1 below provides a summarized comparison of the purpose and types

Santa Maria Cemetery GPA, Rezone, and Planned Development Permit April 17, 2023 GPZ2021-0003 & PD2022-0014 Environmental Checklist

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of uses allowed under the existing and proposed general plan designation. Table 2 provides a summarized comparison of the building and design limits allowed by the existing and proposed zoning designations.

Table 1. General Plan Designation Comparison
Existing Designation:

Medium Density Residential (MDR-12)
Proposed Designation:

Community Facilities (CF)
Purpose To encourage new development while
stabilizing existing development. Allows a
mixture of unit types, while maintaining the
feeling of a single-family neighborhood. To
encourage reinvestment in older areas, and
provide a land conservation measure by
inducin
g development away from yet
undeveloped areas.

To provide for necessary facilities for use
by the public.

Example Types of
Uses
• Single-family dwellings
• Duplexes
• Home occupations
• Care of nonrelated persons (six
(6) or less persons)
• Small family day care homes
• Keeping of household pets
• Large family day care homes
• Cottage food operations
• Governmental buildings and
facilities
• Public libraries, museums
• Schools, colleges
• Cemeteries, crematories or
mausoleums
• Water and wastewater treatment
plants
• Churches
• Student housing
• Emergency Shelters
Corresponding
Zoning
R-2 PF
Table 2. Zoning Designation Comparison.

Existing Zoning:

R-2 Medium Density Residential
District
Proposed Zoning:

PF Public Facilities and Institutional
District
Front Yard Setback 20 feet 15 feet
Side Yard Setback 5 feet on one side, 10 feet on the other (interior lot)
10 feet
Rear Yard Setback 10 feet 10 feet
Height 30 feet 3-stories or 35 feet
Parking 2 off-street parking spaces per unit, if a
single-family residential unit both spaces
within a garage or carport, if two-family or
multi-family unit one space shall be
covered.
1 space for each 260 square feet of
general office gross floor area, 1 space
for each 46 square feet of mor tuary floor
area in the assembly room(s), 1 space for
each 5 permanently located seats or 1
space for each 36 square feet of
assembly room(s) for auditoriums,
assembly halls, community centers,
churches, clubs or lodges
Landscaping 20% of site area 15% of site area

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7. Surrounding Land Uses and Setting
The project site is currently undeveloped and is bordered on the west side by the Rio Vista Homes single- family subdivision and to the south by the Crowe Properties Single Family Residential Subdivision. To the east of the property is the Santa Maria Cemetery, and there are additional medium density residential areas to the north. Surrounding land uses, general plan designations, and zoning designations are summarized in Table 3 below and are shown in Figures 3 and 5.

Table 3. Surrounding Land Uses, General Plan Designations, and Zoning Designations Land uses General Plan Designations Zoning Designations North Single-Family and Multi-family
Residential, East Newlove
Drive
Medium Density Residential
(MDR-12)
R-2 – Medium Density
Residential
South Crowe Properties Single-
Family Residential
Subdivision
Low Density Residential
(LDR-5)
PD/R-1 8,000 – Planned
Development/Single Family
Residential (minimum lot size
8,000 square feet)
East Santa Maria Cemetery Community Facilities (CF) PF – Public Facilities West Rio Vista Homes Single-
Family Subdivision and
Newlove Terrace
Condominiums
Medium Density Residential
(MDR-12)
R-2 – Medium Density
Residential

8. Other Public Agencies Whose Approval is Required
Agency Permits/Other Approvals
City of Santa Maria Community Development
Department
Development plan by the Planning Commission
Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control
District
Stationary source Authority to Construct (ATC),
Permit to Operate (PTO) for point sources in
development
Santa Barbara County Environmental Health
Services
Former on-site industrial facility hazardous
materials remediation
California Department of Toxic Substances
Control (DTSC)
Remediation of existing and past soil
contamination due to former on-site and
surrounding oil and gas production, and electric
company operations.

California Geologic Energy Management
Division (CalGEM)
Review of 10’ no-build easement around on-site
capped oil well.

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9. California Native American Tribes Consultation
Public Resources Codes §21080.3.1 and §21080.3.2 requires public agencies to consult with California Native American tribes identified by the Native American Heritage Commission (NAHC) for the purpose of avoiding, protecting and/or mitigating impacts to tribal cultural resources as defined for California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) projects.

The City of Santa Maria contacted the Native American Heritage Commission (NAHC) on December 29, 2021, to request a list of tribes that are traditionally and culturally affiliated with the geographic area. The NAHC responded March 10, 2022, with that list. The City sent letters to the local Native American contacts identified by the NAHC on March 23, 2022. To date, the City has received no requests for further consultation.

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Figure 1. Project Vicinity Map

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Figure 2. Project Location Map

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Figure 3. Existing General Plan Designation Map

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Figure 4. Proposed General Plan Designations Map

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Figure 5. Existing Zoning Designation Map

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Figure 6. Proposed Zoning Designations Map

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Figure 7 Preliminary Project Site Plan

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1. AESTHETICS
Except as provided in Public Resources Code
Section 21099, would the project:

Potentially
Significant Impact
Less Than
Significant with
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant Impact
No Impact
a. Have a substantial adverse effect on a scenic
vista? X
b. Substantially damage scenic resources,
including, but not limited to, trees, rock
outcroppings, and historic buildings within a
state scenic highway corridor?
X
c. In non-urbanized areas, substantially degrade
the existing visual character or quality of
public views of the site and its surroundings?
(Public views are those that are experienced
from publicly accessible vantage point). If the
project is in an urbanized area, would the
project conflict with applicable zoning and
other regulations governing scenic quality?
X
d. Create a new source of substantial light or
glare which would adversely affect day or
nighttime views in the area?
X
Setting:

The landlocked project site is located within the southeastern area of the city of Santa Maria directly south of 670 and 690 East Newlove Drive. The site is approximately 0.87 acres and is currently vacant. The site is surrounded by urbanized development constructed since 1992 and represents an “infill” parcel. The site is primarily flat and open with native and non-native grasses. The Santa Maria Cemetery District, including a developed cemetery and current agricultural lands, is located to the east of the project site. Existing development in the project vicinity includes the Enos Ranchos Specific Plan area with apartments, automobile dealerships, an elementary school and regional shopping center to the east across College Drive. To the north, south and west are residential land uses.

Discussion:
a. For purposes of determining significance under CEQA, a scenic vista is defined as a v iewpoint that provides expansive views of a highly valued landscape for the benefit of the general public. According to the General Plan Resources Management Element, there are no designated scenic vistas identified in the project vicinity. The project site is relatively level and is located in an urban area within Santa Maria that is generally surrounded by residential, and cemetery uses. Views from the project area are not expansive, do not portray a highly valued landscape, and would not be considered a scenic vista.

Therefore, the project would not result in a substantial adverse effect on a scenic vista and impacts would be less than significant.

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b. U.S. Route 101 (US Highway 101), is identified as an eligible but not officially designated State Scenic Highway, is located approximately one-half mile east of the project site. The project site would not be visible to viewers traveling along this roadway due to distance, existing intervening development, and landscaping. No other eligible or officially designated state scenic highways are located within proximity or viewshed to the project site. Therefore, impacts associated with substantial damage to scenic resources within a state scenic highway would be less than significant. c. The project is located in an urban area of Santa Maria and is considered urbanized pursuant to CEQA Section 21071. The proposed GPA and rezoning of the parcel would allow for the development of necessary facilities for use by the public under the proposed PF zoning designation that were not previously allowed at this location due to the existing R-2 zoning regulations and MDR-12 general plan designation. The proposed rezone of the parcel to PF would generally require similar setback distances and landscaping requirements as the current zoning designation. The new zoning would allow for an increase in maximum allowed building height from 30 to 35 feet; however, the proposed building would be no taller than 20-feet in height and there are no notable scenic resources in close proximity to the site of which a structure of such size would block views. Therefore, the project would not result in a conflict with applicable zoning or other regulations governing scenic quality and impacts would be less than significant.
d. The project includes the GPA and rezone and Planned Development Permit to allow for the development of public -oriented land uses permitted in the proposed P F zoning designation. The proposed maintenance building and office will include outdoor lighting fixtures affixed to the easterly side of the structure located at building entrances and facing the parking area. This project will be conditioned to comply with standard lighting requirements per the Santa Maria Municipal Code, which require that light and glare onto any adjacent properties be minimized, including Section 12-32.20, which requires street and parking area lighting be directed away from residential properties. Building materials and design would be reviewed by the designated review authority for compliance with the adopted plans, policies, and ordinances of the City associated with reflectivity and glare prior to project approval. Therefore, impacts would be less than significant.

Mitigation Measure(s) incorporated into the project:

Implementation of the proposed project would not result in potentially significant impacts related to aesthetics or visual resources; therefore, mitigation is not necessary.

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2. AGRICULTURE AND FOREST RESOURCES
In determining whether impacts to agricultural resources are significant environmental effects, lead agencies may refer to the California Agricultural Land Evaluation and Site Assessment Model (1997) prepared by the California Dept. of Conservation as an optional model to use in assessing impacts on agriculture and farmland.

In determining whether impacts to forest resources, including timberland, are significant environmental effects, lead agencies may refer to information compiled by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection regarding the state’s inventory of forest land, including the Forest and Range Assessment Project and the Forest Legacy Assessment project; and forest carbon measurement methodology provided in Forest Protocols adopted by the California Air Resources Board.

Would the project:

Potentially
Significant Impact
Less Than
Significant with
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant Impact
No Impact
a. Convert Prime Farmland, Unique Farmland, or
Farmland of Statewide Importance (Farmland),
as shown on the maps prepared pursuant to
the Farmland Mapping and Monitoring
Program of the California Resources Agency,
to non-agricultural use?
X
b. Conflict with existing zoning for agricultural
use, or a Williamson Act contract? X
c. Conflict with existing zoning for, or cause
rezoning of, forest land (as defined in Public
Resources Code section 12220(g)), timberland
(as defined by Public Resources Code section
4526), or timberland zoned Timberland
Production (as defined by Government Code
section 51104(g))?
X
d. Result in the loss of forest land or conversion
of forest land to non-forest use? X
e. Involve other changes in the existing
environment which, due to their location or
nature, could result in conversion of Farmland,
to non-agricultural use or conversion of forest
land to non-forest use?
X
Setting:

Agriculture has historically played an important role in the economy and development of Santa Maria and the Santa Maria Valley. Soil quality, water supply, year-round growing season, and level topography have made the Santa Maria Valley one of the most productive agricultural regions in the country. A majority of the land under agricultural production within the project vicinity is located in the unincorporated areas surrounding the city. Land under agricultural production within city limits includes a small area near the Santa Maria Regional Landfill and several acres recently annexed to the City. The project site is located within a developed portion of the city that is not currently used, and has not historically been used, for agricultural purposes.

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According to California Public Resources Code (PRC) Section 12220(g), forest land is defined as land that can support 10% native tree cover of any species, including hardwoods, under natural conditions, and that allows for management of one or more forest resources, including timber, aesthetics, fish and wildlife, biodiversity, water quality, recreation, and other public benefits. Timberland is defined as land, other than land owned by the federal government and land designated by the State B oard of Forestr y and Fire Protection, as experimental forest land, which is available for, and capable of, growing a crop of trees of a commercial species used to produce lumber and other forest products, including Christmas trees. The project site does not support any forest land or timberland.

Discussion:
a. According to the California Department of Conservation (DOC) Farmland Mapping and Monitoring Program (FMMP) Important Farmland Map for Santa Barbara County (DOC 2016), the site is mapped as Urban and Built-up Land. Urban and Built-up Land is defined as land that is occupied by structures with a building density of at least one unit to 1.5-acres, or approximately six structures to a 10-acre parcel.

In addition, the project site does not lie within the area identified in the General Plan Resources Management Element as having prime agricultural soils. The project site does not include any land that is designated as Prime Farmland, Unique Farmland, or Farmland of Statewide Importance, as designated by the FMMP; therefore, no conversion of these lands would result from implementation of the project and no impacts would occur.
b. According to the City’s General Plan, the project site’s land use is designated as MDR-12 (Medium Density Residential, twelve units per acre maximum) and the site is currently zoned R-2 (Medium Density Residential). The project site is not under a Williamson Act contract. While the project site is adjacent to agricultural uses, those agricultural sites have been identified for public facilities development and analyzed through the Final Environmental Impact Report for City of Santa Maria Sphere of Influence Boundary Amendment and Concurrent Annexation (1992). The project would not result in a conflict with existing zoning for agricultural use, or a Williamson Act contract; therefore, no impacts would occur. c. The site is zoned R-2 (Medium Density Residential) and located within an urban vicinity, and is not within close proximity to forest land or timberland resources; therefore, implementation of the project would not result in a conflict with existing zoning for, or cause rezoning of, forest land, timberland, or timberland zoned Timberland Production and no impacts would occur. d. The proposed project would develop a new public facility use. The project site is located in an urbanized area of the city and is not located within or adjacent to forest land; therefore, the project would not result in the loss of forest land or conversion of forest land to non-forest use and no impacts would occur. e. As discussed above, the project site does not include active agriculture, Farmland designated by the FMMP, land under active Williamson Act contract, or land designated or zoned for agricultural use, forest land, or timber land. The proposed GPA, rezone, and development of public facility uses on the project site would not directly or indirectly adversely affect agricultural support services in the vicinity; therefore, no impacts to agriculture or forest resources would occur.

Mitigation Measure(s) incorporated into the project:

Implementation of the proposed project would not result in potentially significant impacts related to agriculture and forest resources; therefore, mitigation is not necessary.

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3. AIR QUALITY
Where available, the significance criteria established by the applicable air quality management district or air pollution control district may be relied upon to make the following determinations.

Would the project:

Potentially
Significant Impact
Less Than
Significant with
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant Impact
No Impact
a. Conflict with or obstruct implementation of the
applicable air quality plan? X
b. Result in a cumulatively considerable net
increase of any criteria pollutant for which the
project region is non-attainment under an
applicable federal or state ambient air quality
standard?
X
c. Expose sensitive receptors to substantial
pollutant concentrations? X
d. Result in other emissions (such as those
leading to odors) adversely affecting a
substantial number of people?
X
Setting:

The project includes the GPA and rezone to allow for the development of cemetery district maintenance facilities permitted under the Public Facilities zoning. The project site is located in the City of Santa Maria in northern Santa Barbara County. The climate in and around Santa Maria, as well as most of southern California, is dominated by the strength and position of the semi -permanent high-pressure center over the Pacific Ocean near Hawaii. It creates cool summers, mild winters, and infrequent rainfall. It drives the cool daytime sea breeze and maintains a comfortable humidi ty range and ample sunshine after the frequent morning clouds dissipate. However, the same atmospheric processes that create the desirable living climate combine to restrict the ability of the atmosphere to disperse the air pollution generated by the population attracted in part by the desirable climate.

Air pollutant emissions are generated primarily by stationary and mobile sources. Stationary sources can be divided into two major subcategories:
 Point sources occur at a specific location and are often identified by an exhaust vent or stack.

Examples include boilers or combustion equipment that produce electricity or generate heat.  Area sources are widely distributed and include such sources as residential and commercial water heaters, painting operations, lawn mowers, agricultural fields, landfills, and some consumer products.

Mobile sources refer to emissions from motor vehicles, including tailpipe and evaporative emissions, and can also be divided into two major subcategories:
 On-road sources that may be legally operated on roadways and highways.  Off-road sources include aircraft, ships, trains, and self-propelled construction equipment.

Air pollutants can also be generated by the natural environment, such as when high winds suspend fine dust particles.

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Both summer and winter air quality in the project area is generally very good. The closest air monitoring station to the project site is the Santa Maria- 906 South Broadway monitoring station, located in downtown Santa Maria. This station measures ozone (O3), particulate matter with diameter of 10 micrometers or less (PM10), and sulfur dioxide.

Regulatory Framework
The federal and State Clean Air Acts (CAA) mandate the control and reduction of certain air pollutants.

Under these laws, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) and the California Air Resources Board (CARB) have established the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) and the California Ambient Air Quality Standards (CAAQS) for “criteria pollutants” and other pollutants. Some pollutants are emitted directly from a source (e.g., vehicle tailpipe, an exhaust stack of a factory, etc.) into the atmosphere, including carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds (VOC)/reactive organic compounds (ROC), 1 nitrogen oxides (NOX), PM10, particulate matter of 2.5 microns or less (PM2.5), sulfur dioxide, and lead. Other pollutants are created indirectly through chemical reactions in the atmosphere, such as O3, which is created by atmospheric chemical and photochemica l reactions primarily between ROC and NO X. Secondary pollutants include oxidants, O3, and sulfate and nitrate particulates (smog). By law, the federal standards may be exceeded not more than once per year, while the California standards may not be exceeded at all.

Air Quality Standards and Attainment
The project site is located in the South Central Coast Air Basin (SCCAB), which encompasses San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura counties and is under the jurisdiction of the Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District (SBCAPCD). As the local air quality management agency, the SBCAPCD is required to monitor air pollutant levels to ensure that the NAAQS and CAAQS are met and, if they are not met, to develop strategies to meet the standards. Depending on whether the standards are met or exceeded, the SCCAB is classified as being in “attainment” or “nonattainment.” In areas designated as non-attainment for one or more air pollutants, a cumulative air quality impact exists for those air pollutants, and the human health impacts associated with these criteria pollutants, presented in Table 1 are already occurring in that area as part of the environmental baseline condition. Under state law, air districts are required to prepare a plan for air quality improvement for pollutants for which the district is in non- compliance. Santa Barbara County is currently designated nonattainment for the state standard for PM10, nonattainment for the state and federal standard for 1-hour and 8-hour O3, and attainment or unclassifiable for all other federal and state ambient air quality standards (SBCAPCD 2021). These nonattainment statuses are a result of several factors, including mobile and stationary sources in the SCCAB.

Table 4 Health Effects Associated with Non-Attainment Criteria Pollutants Pollutant Adverse Effects
Ozone (1) Short-term exposures: (a) pulmonary function decrements and localized lung edema in humans and animals and (b) risk to public health implied by alterations in pulmonary morphology and host defense in animals; (2) long-term exposures: risk to public health implied by altered connective tissue metabolism and altered pulmonary morphology in animals after long- term exposures and pulmonary function decrements in chronically exposed humans; (3) vegetation damage; and (4) property damage.

Suspended
particulate
matter (PM
10)
(1) Excess deaths from short-term and long-term exposures; (2) excess seasonal declines in pulmonary function, especially in children; (3) asthma exacerbation and possibly induction; (4) adverse birth outcomes including low birth weight; (5) increased infant mortality; (6) increased respiratory symptoms in children such as cough and bronchitis; and (7) increased hospitalization for both cardiovascular and respiratory disease (including asthma).1

1 CARB defines VOC and ROC similarly as, “any compound of carbon excluding carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, carbonic acid, metallic carbides or carbonates, and ammonium carbonate,” with the exception that VOC are compounds that participate in atmospheric photochemical reactions. For the purposes of this analysis, ROC and VOC are considered comparable in terms of mass emissions, and the term ROC is used in this IS-MND.

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Pollutant Adverse Effects
Source: United States Environmental Protection Agency 2018 Air Quality Management
Because Santa Barbara County is designated nonattainment for the state O 3 and PM 10 standards, the SBCAPCD is required to implement strategies to reduce pollutant levels to achieve attainment of the NAAQS and CAAQS. The 20 22 Ozone Plan is the current SBCAPCD Board- adopted air quality management plan for the County. The 2022 Ozone Plan incorporates and builds upon the prior Clean Air Plans and predominantly focuses on achieving attainment of the state O 3 standards, in addition to the federal O3 standard. The 2022 Ozone Plan focuses on reducing O3 precursor emissions through implementation of transportation control measures that serve to reduce mobile source emissions, which are the primary source of ROC and nitrogen oxides emissions in the county (SBCAPCD 20 22). The major sources of O3 precursor emissions in Santa Barbara County , which includes the City of Santa Maria, are motor vehicles, the petroleum industry, and solvent usage (paints, consumer products and certain industrial processes). Sources of PM 10 include mineral quarries, grading, demolition, agricultural tilling, road dust, and vehicle exhaust (County of Santa Barbara 2021a).

Sensitive Receivers
Some land uses are considered more sensitive to changes in air quality than others, depending on the population groups and the activities involved. CARB has identified the following typical groups who are most likely to be affected by air pollution: children under 14 years of age; elderly over 65 years of age; athletes; and people with cardiovascular and c hronic respiratory diseases. Land uses typically associated with sensitive receivers include schools, parks, playgrounds, childcare centers, retirement homes, convalescent homes, hospitals, and clinics (CARB 2005). The nearest sensitive receptors to the pr oject site include the single- family and townhome residences located on three sides of the project and two elementary schools approximately 900 feet north and east of the site, respectively.

Significance Thresholds
The City of Santa Maria and SBCAPCD have not adopted quantitative significance criteria for temporary construction emissions associated with conventional land development projects. However, SBCAPCD recommends quantification of construction-related emissions from construction activities and uses 25 tons per year for ROC and NO
X as a guideline for determining the significance of construction impacts. For other construction projects involving standard grading and building activities, SBCAPCD (2022) notes that consistency with the Air Quality Attainment Plan requires the implementation of mitigation measures to minimize dust generation. This analysis uses 25 tons per year as a significance threshold for construction- related emissions.

Long-term air quality impacts occur during project operation and i nclude emissions from equipment or processes used in the project. These emissions must be summed to determine the significance of the project’s long-term impact on air quality. Based on the criteria suggested by the SBCAPCD (2022) a project would not have a significant air quality effect on the environment if operation of the project would:
 Emit (from all project sources, mobile and stationary), less than the daily trigger (Currently 55 pounds per day for NO
X and ROC, 80 pounds per day for PM 10, and 240 pounds per day for attainment pollutants (except PM2.5 and carbon monoxide) for offsets set in the APCD New Source Review Rule, for any pollutant; and
 Emit less than 25 pounds per day of oxides of nitrogen (NO X) or reactive organic compounds (ROC) from motor vehicle trips only; and
 Not cause or contribute to a violation of any California or National Ambient Air Quality Standard (except O
3); and
 Not exceed the APCD health risk public notification thresholds adopted by the APCD Board; and  Be consistent with the adopted federal and state Air Quality Plans.

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Methodology
Air pollutant emissions generated by project construction and operation were estimated using the California Emissions Estimator Model (CalEEMod), version 202 2.1. CalEEMod uses project -specific infor mation, including the project’s land uses, square footages for the project, and location, to model a project’s construction and operational emissions. The analysis reflects the construction and operation of the project as described under the description of the project.

Construction emissions modeled include emissions generated by construction equipment used on-site and emissions generated by vehicle trips associated with construction, such as worker and vendor trips.

CalEEMod estimates construction emissions by multiplyi ng the amount of time equipment is in operation by emission factors. Construction of the project was analyzed based on the standard CalEEMod assumptions on construction equipment. Construction would occur over approximately 3 months. It is assumed all construction equipment used would be diesel -powered. This analysis assumes the project would comply with all applicable regulatory standards. In particular, the project would comply with SBCAPCD Rules 345 and 323.1.

Operational emissions modeled include mobile source emissions (i.e., vehicle emissions), energy emissions, area source emissions, and stationary sources emissions (i.e., generator). Mobile source emissions are generated by vehicle trips to and from the project site. A ccording to the Institute of Transportation Engineers Trip Generation Handbook, 10th edition, the average trip generation rate for a cemetery maintenance building (employees only) is approximately 52 trips per day on weekdays, 91 trips per day on Saturdays, and 135 trips per day on Sundays. Emissions attributed to energy use include natural gas consumption by appliances as well as for space and water heating. Area source emissions are generated by landscape maintenance equipment, consumer products and architectural coatings.

Impact Discussion:
a. Vehicle use, energy consumption, and associated air pollutant emissions are directly related to population and housing growth. A project may be inconsistent with the applicable air quality plan if it would result in population, housing, or employment growth that exceeds growth estimates included in the applicable air quality plan. Such growth would generate emissions not accounted for in the applicable air quality plan emissions budget. Therefore, projects need to be evaluated to determine whether they would generate population, housing, or employment growth and, if so, whether that growth would exceed the growth rates included in the applicable air quality plan. The most recent and applicable adopted air quality plan is the 2022 Ozone Plan. The 2022 Ozone Plan, prepared by the SBCAPCD in December 2022, is the tenth triennial update to the initial state Air Quality Attainment Plan that was adopted by the SBCAPCD Board of Directors in 1991. The 2022 Ozone Plan describes the air quality setting for the Santa Barbara County region, including the regional climate and meteorology, current and projected air quality, and the regulatory framework for the management of air quality. To be determined to be consistent with the current air quality attainment plan (2022 Ozone Plan), the project’s direct and indirect emissions must be accounted for in the growth assumptions in the 2022 Ozone Plan and the project must be consistent with the policies adopted in the 2022 Ozone Plan.

The Ozone Plan relies primarily on the land use and population projections provided by the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG) and CARB on-road emissions forecast as a basis for vehicle emission forecasting (SBCAPCD 2022). Populations that remain within the 2022 Ozone Plan and SBCAG forecasts are accounted for with regard to SBCAPCD emissions inventories.

When population growth exceeds these forecasts, emission inventories could be surpassed, affecting attainment status. The project includes the GPA and rezone to allow for the development of cemetery district maintenance facilities permitted under the Public Facilities zoning. The proposed project would be within an infill site, and employees of the public facility are sourced from the local labor pool.

Therefore, the project would not result in near-term increases in population that would exceed year 2025 population projections or exceed year 2035 projections and the project would be overall consistent with the growth assumptions in the 2022 Ozone Plan (the applicable air quality plan) .

Potential impacts would be less than significant.

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Further, the development of the site would be required to comply with all SBCAPCD rules and regulations for construction and operation. The project would be consistent with the SCAPCD 2022 Ozone Plan and thus, would not obstruct its implementation. This impact would also be less than significant.
b. The project would result in temporary construction emissions and long-term operational emissions, however none of the emissions would exceed SBCAPCD thresholds. Construction activities such as the use of construction vehicles and equipment over unpaved areas, grading, trenching, and disturbance of stockpiled soils have the potential to generate fugitive dust (PM10) through the exposure of soil to wind erosion and dust being drawn into the air by turbulent air currents. Exhaust emissions associated with heavy construction equipment would potentially degrade regional air quality. Long- term emissions associated with operational impacts would include emissions from vehicle trips (mobile sources); natural gas use (energy sources); landscape maintenance equipment, consumer products, and architectural coating associated with on-site development (area sources); and forklifts (off-road sources). Air pollutant emissions associated with project construction and operation are discussed in the following subsections.

Construction Emissions.

Temporary air quality impacts generally occur during project construction. SBCAPCD has not established construction emissions thresholds. Ozone precursors NO X and ROG, as well as CO, would
be emitted by the operation of construction equipment . Fugitive dust (PM10) would be emitted by activities that disturb the soil, such as grading and excavation, and roadway and project construction.

Project construction emissions were estimated using CalEEMod. Table 2 shows the estimates of maximum daily construction emissions associated with the development. For full modeling results refer to Appendix A.

Table 5 Temporary Construction Emissions
Construction Year
Maximum Emissions (tons/year)
ROG NOX CO PM10
2023 0.04 0.08 0.09 < 0.01
SBCAPCD Thresholds 25 25 n/a n/a
Threshold Exceeded? No No n/a n/a
n/a = not available
Source: CalEEMod v. 2022.1, annual emissions reports. Modeling results contained in Appendix A.

As shown in Table 2 annual emissions of all criteria pollutants would be below SBCAPCD’s 25 tons per year threshold for the project construction. However, because the Santa Barbara County portion of the SCCAB is a nonattainment area for the state PM 10 standard, construction emissions
control measures are required for all projects involving earthmoving activities regardless of size or duration. Therefore, Mitigation Measure AQ-1 has been identified to reduce construction emissions in accordance with loc al regulatory policies. With the inclusion of this measure, impacts from construction emissions would be less than significant.

Operational Emissions.

Operational emissions would include emissions associated with mobile sources (vehicle trips); energy sources (natural gas use); area sources (landscape maintenance equipment, consumer products, and architectural coating associated with on-site operational activities); and off-road sources (forklifts).

The emissions from project operations were estimated usi ng CalEEMod. Table 3 summarizes the operational emissions that would result from the project and compares the emissions with the SBCAPCD significance criteria for evaluating air emissions impacts.

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Table 6 Operational Emissions
Source
Maximum Emissions (lbs/day)1
ROG NOX PM10 PM2.5 CO SO2
Area Source 0.10 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
Energy 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
Mobile 0.28 0.13 <0.005 <0.005 1.63 <0.005
Total 0.38 0.13 <0.005 <0.005 1.63 <0.005
Threshold (all sources) 240 240 80 n/a n/a n/a
Threshold Exceeded? No No No n/a n/a n/a
Threshold (mobile only) 25 25 n/a n/a n/a n/a
Threshold Exceeded? No No n/a n/a n/a n/a
1 Note: All emissions are rounded up so totals may not match.

Source: CalEEMod v.2022.1, summer emissions reports. Modeling results contained in Appendix A.

As shown in Table 3, the project would generate an estimated 0.38 pounds of ROG per day, 0.13 pounds of NOX per day, and <0.005 pounds of PM10 per day.

Operational Emissions Conclusion: The project’s operational emissions would not exceed SBCAPCD criteria for defining a significant air quality impact.

Construction emissions would not exceed SBCAPCD thresholds for criteria pollutants and no mitigation is required. Operational emissions would not exceed SBCAPCD thresholds for a criteria pollutant and would comply with SBCAPCD criteria pollutant thresholds. The project would not result in individually or cumulatively significant impacts to air quality. This impact w ould be less than significant.
c. Sensitive receptors are people that have an increased sensitivity to air pollution or environmental contaminants, such as the elderly, children, people with asthma or other respiratory illnesses, and others who are at a heightened risk of negative health outcomes due to exposure to air pollution. Some land uses are considered more sensitive to changes in air quality than others, due to the population that occupies the uses and the activities involved. Sensitive receptor locations include schools, parks and playgrounds, day care centers, nursing homes, hospitals, and residences.

The northern edge of the subject parcel is located approximately 500 feet from existing residential development, which is the nearest sensitive receptor to the project site. While the GPA and rezone would not trigger any direct air pollutant emissions, development of the project could indirectly lead to temporary air pollutant emissions during the construction phase in close proximity to sensitive receptors.

Emissions of ozone precursors (NOx and ROC) during project construction would result primarily from the on-site use of heavy construction equipment. Heavy equipment performing construction activities would generate fugitive dust, resulting in substantial temporary impacts. Fugitive dust emissions would result from land clearing, excavation, and equipment traffic over temporary dirt roads. Impacts from fugitive dust emissions could be significant because they could adversely affect nearby sensitive receptors. The SBCAPCD requires dust control measures for all discretionary construction activities; therefore, the SBCAPCD’s standard fugitive dust control measures have been incorporated as Mitigation Measure AQ-1 to reduce fugitive dust generated during construction and to require diesel- idling control measures during construction of the project to reduce emissions of NOx and ROC in proximity to sensitive receptors. Therefore, potential impacts associated with exposure of sensitive receptors to substantial air pollutant concentrations would be less than significant with mitigation.

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d. During construction activities, heavy equipment and vehicles would emit odors associated with vehicle and engine exhaust and during idling. However, these odors would be i ntermittent and temporary, generally disperse with distance, and would cease upon completion of the project. Project construction would not generate other emissions leading to odors that would affect a substantial number of people.

Construction-related impacts would be less than significant.

Mitigation Measure(s) incorporated into the project:

AQ-1 Construction Emissions Control Measures. The project applicant shall install the following air pollutant emissions control measures throughout the construction period:

Increased watering frequency should be required whenever the wind speed exceeds 15 mph. Reclaimed water should be used whenever possible. However, reclaimed water should not be used in or around crops for human consumption. b. Minimize amount of disturbed area and reduce on site vehicle speeds to 15 mph or less. c. If importation, exportation and stockpiling of fill material is involved, soil stockpiled for more than two days shall be covered, kept moist, or treated with soil binders to prevent dust generation. Trucks transporting fill material to and from the site shall be tarped from the point of origin.
d. Gravel pads shall be installed at all access points to prevent tracking of mud onto public roads.
e. After clearing, grading, earth moving or excavation is completed, treat the disturbed area by watering, or revegetating, or by spreading soil binders until the area is paved or otherwise developed so that dust generation will not occur. f. Schedule clearing, grading, earthmoving, and excavation activities during periods of low wind speed to the extent feasible. During periods of high winds (>25 mph) clearing, grading, earthmoving, and excavation operations shall be minimized to prevent fugitive dust created by onsite operations from becoming a nuisance or hazard. g. The contractor or b uilder shall designate a person or persons to monitor the dust control program and to order increased watering, as necessary, to prevent transport of dust offsite.

Their duties shall include holiday and weekend periods when work may not be in progress.

The name and telephone number of such persons shall be provided to the APCD prior to land use clearance for map recordation and land use clearance for finish grading of the structure.

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c. All commercial diesel vehicles are subject to Title 13, § 2485 of the Cali fornia Code of Regulations, limiting engine idling time. Idling of heavy -duty diesel construction equipment and trucks during loading and unloading shall be limited to five minutes; electric auxiliary power units should be used whenever possible.
d. Diesel construction equipment meeting the CARB Tier 3 or higher emission standards for off-road heavy-duty diesel engines shall be used to the maximum extent feasible. e. Diesel powered equipment should be replaced by electric equipment whenever feasible. f. If feasible, diesel construction equipment shall be equipped with selective catalytic reduction systems, diesel oxidation catalysts and diesel particulate filters as certified and/or verified by EPA or California.
g. Catalytic converters shall be installed on gasoline-powered equipment, if feasible. h. All construction equipment shall be maintained in tune per the manufacturer’s specifications. i. The engine size of construction equipment shall be the minimum practical size. j. The number of construction equipment operating simultaneously shall be minimized through efficient management practices to ensure that the smallest practical number is operating at any one time.

Permit to Operate
If contaminated soils are found at the project site, SBCAPCD must be contacted to determine if ATC and/or Permit to Operate permits shall be required. (SBCAPCD permits are required for all soil vapor extraction activities. SBCAPCD permits are also required for the excavation, or “dig-and-haul,” of more than 1,000 cubic yards of contaminated soils.)
Equipment Idling Requirements
At all times, idling of heavy-duty diesel trucks should be minimized; auxiliary power units should be used whenever possible. State law requires that:
 Drivers of diesel-fueled commercial vehicles shall not idle the vehicle's primary diesel engine for greater than five minutes at any location.
 Drivers of diesel-fueled commercial vehicles shall not idle a diesel -fueled auxiliary power system (APS) for more than five minutes to power a heater, air conditioner, or any ancillary equipment on the vehicle. Trucks with 2007 or newer model year engines must meet additional requirements (verified clean APS label required).  See www.arb.ca.gov/noidle for more information.

Asphalt Paving Requirements
Asphalt paving activities shall comply with APCD Rule 329, Cutback and Emulsified Asphalt Paving Materials.

Effectiveness of Mitigation Measure: With implementation of Mitigation Measure AQ-1, potential impacts from air pollutant emissions and odors would be reduced and impacts would be less than significant.

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4. BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES
Would the project:

Potentially
Significant Impact
Less Than
Significant with
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant Impact
No Impact
a. Have a substantial adverse effect, either
directly or through habitat modifications, on
any species identified as a candidate,
sensitive, or special status species in local or
regional plans, policies, or regulations, or by
the California Department of Fish and Game or
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service?
X
b. Have a substantial adverse effect on any
riparian habitat or other sensitive natural
community identified in local or regional plans,
policies, regulations or by the California
Department of Fish and Game or U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service?
X
c. Have a substantial adverse effect on state or
federally protected wetlands (including, but not
limited to, marsh, vernal pool, coastal, etc.)
through direct removal, filling, hydrological
interruption, or other means?
X
d. Interfere substantially with the movement of
any native resident or migratory fish or wildlife
species or with established native resident or
migratory wildlife corridors, or impede the use
of native wildlife nursery sites?
X
e. Conflict with any local policies or ordinances
protecting biological resources, such as a tree
preservation policy or ordinance?
X
f. Conflict with the provisions of an adopted
Habitat Conservation Plan, Natural Community
Conservation Plan, or other approved local,
regional, or state habitat conservation plan?
X
Setting:

The project site is an undeveloped infill site located in an urbanized area of Santa Maria that is surrounded by residential and cemetery district uses. The project site is sparsely vegetated and has been regularly cleared of weeds under Title 5 of the Santa Maria Municipal Code. No native trees are present within the project site.

The General Plan Resources Management Element identifies sensitive habitats within the City boundaries including Central Coast Riparian Scrub and the Coastal and Valley Freshwater Marsh. Based on Figure RME-3 of the Resources Management Element, the project site is not located within close proximity of either of these designated habitat areas.

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Wildlife corridors are generally defined as connections between habitat patches that allow for physical or genetic exchange between isolated animal populations. These connections may serve a local purpose, such as foraging and nesting or denning areas, or they may be regional in nature. There is a potential that the Santa Maria, Cuyama, and Sisquoc Rivers are used by wildlife to access habitats in the Sierra Madre and San Rafael Mountains. The project site is not located within close proximity to any of these major waterways; therefore, there is limited potential for wildlife migration through the project vicinity.

Discussion:
a-d. The project site does not contain riparian habitat and is not located within a known regional wildlife movement corridor or other sensitive biological area as indicated by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Information for Planning and Consultation portal (USFSW 2022). Santa Maria City Staff conducted a review of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s (CDFW) California Natural Diversity Database (CNDDB) for recorded occurrences of special status plant and wildlife taxa occurring in the region. The CNDDB query included records from nine USGS 7.5-minute topographic quadrangles containing or surrounding the site: Santa Maria, Nipomo, Oceano, Huasna Peak, Twitchell Dam, Sisquoc, Orcutt, Casmalia, and Guadalupe, California. The CNDDB is based on reported occurrences of special status taxa and does not constitute a comprehensive inventory of biological resources for any given area. Other database search results included the California Native Plant Society (CNPS) Online Inventory of Rare and Endangered Plants of California (CNPS 2021).

Based on the results of the CNDDB query, there are four species of concern with a low potential to occur on the project site. These species include the tricolored blackbird (Agelaius tricolor), and pallid bat (Antrozous pallidus), Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos), and Northern Harrier (Circus hudsonius). Due to the developed nature of the area and lack of native, riparian, or other suitable habitat, these species are not anticipated to occur onsite; therefore, potential impacts related to special-status wildlife would be less than significant.

The National Wetlands Inventory (NWI) was reviewed to determine if wetland and/or non-wetland waters had been previously documented and mapped on or in the vicinity of the project site (USFWS 2022). No such features occur on or adjacent to the project site. Construction and operation of the project would not involve or require the direct removal, filling, hydrological interruption, or other adverse effects to the bed, bank, channel, or adjacent upland area of the freshwater ponds; therefore, no impacts related to sensitive natural communities or federally protected wetlands would occur. e. The project site is not within or in close proximity to the significant wildlife habitat areas identified in the City of Santa Maria Resource Management Element (City of Santa Maria 2001). The proposed project would not conflict with any other policies related to the protection of biological resources; therefore, potential impacts would be less than significant.
f. There are no adopted habitat conservation plans, natural community conservation plans, or other approved local, regional, or state habitat conservation plans applicable to or near the project site. The project would comply with the General Plan and local ordinances pertaining to the protection of biological resources; therefore, no impacts would occur.

Mitigation Measure(s) incorporated into the project:

Implementation of the proposed project would not result in potentially significant impacts related to biological resources; therefore, mitigation is not necessary.

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5. CULTURAL RESOURCES
Would the project:

Potentially
Significant Impact
Less Than
Significant with
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant Impact
No Impact
a. Cause a substantial adverse change in the
significance of a historical resource pursuant to
§15064.5?
X
b. Cause a substantial adverse change in the
significance of an archaeological resource
pursuant to §15064.5?
X
c. Disturb any human remains, including those
interred outside of formal cemeteries? X
Setting:

The Santa Maria Valley was historically occupied by the Chumash people until European contact in the mid-eighteenth century. Areas within close proximity to perennial water sources tend to have higher archeological sensitivity; the project site is not located within close proximity to any blue-line streams or bodies of water. According to the General Plan Resources Management Element, the project site is located in an area designated to have low sensitivity for archeological resources.

The establishment of Mission San Luis Obispo to the north and Mission La Purisima Concepción near the city of Lompoc was the beginning of development and settlement in the Santa Maria area. Industrialization and the connection of the Pacific Coast Railroad to Santa Maria further stimulated commercial and residential growth in the area. Historical resources in Santa Maria consist of several landmarks and structures. The City has officially designated 10 historic structures and landmarks, with additional sites designated by the Landmark Committee, none of which are located on-site.

Discussion:
a. The project site does not contain, nor is it located near, any historic resources identified in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) or California Register of Historic Resources (CRHR). The project site is not identified on the City’s Landmark Map or on the City’s Objects of Historic Merit Map; therefore, potential impacts to historical resources would be less than significant. b. According to the Resources Management Element, the Santa Maria Valley is not a major archaeological or paleontological resource area, as only a few sites have been recorded or discovered in the area. The Resources Management Element delineates high, moderate, low, and negligib le archaeological sensitivity areas within the city; the project site is designated as Archaeological Sensitivity Area 3 – Negligible Sensitivity. Nevertheless, ground disturbance associated with construction activities have the potential to result in inadvertent disturbance of previously unknown, buried archeological deposits.

Impacts are conservatively considered to be potentially significant. Implementation of Mitigation Measure CR-1, identified below, would ensure potential impacts are avoided and/or minimized; therefore, impacts would be less than significant with mitigation.

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c. Based on the location and low sensitivity of the project area, development of the project site would not be expected to disturb buried human remains. In the event of an accidental discovery or recognition of any human remains associated with development of the project site, California State Health and Safety Code Section 7050.5 stipulates that no further disturbances shall occur until the County Coroner has made the necessary findings as to origin and disposition pursuant to CEQA regulations and PRC Section 5097.98. With adherence to State Health and Safety Code Section 7050.5, which stipulates the process to be followed when human remains are encountered, as detailed in Mitigation Measure CR-2, impacts related to the disturbance of archaeological resources and human remains would be reduced to less than significant; therefore, potential impacts are less than significant with mitigation.

Mitigation Measure(s) incorporated into the project:

CR-1 Inadvertent Discovery of Archaeological Resources. In the event that any cultural resource is encountered during subsurface earthwork activities associated with development of the project site, all construction activities within a 100-foot radius of the find shall cease and the City shall be notified immediately. Work shall not continue until a qualified archaeologist, in conjunction with locally affiliated Native American representative(s) as necessary, determines whether the uncovered resource requires further study. Any previously unidentified resources found during construction shall be recorded on appropriate California Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) 523 Series forms and evaluated for significance in terms of CEQA criteria by a qualified archaeologist. Potentially significant cultural resources consist of, but are not limited to, stone, bone, glass, ceramic, wood, or shell artifacts; fossils; or features including hearths, structural remains, or historic dumpsites.

If the resource is determined significant under CEQA, the qualified archaeologist shall prepare and implement a research design and archaeological data recovery plan, in conjunction with locally affiliated Native American representative(s) as necessary that will capture those categories of data for which the site is significant. The archaeologist shall also perform appropriate technical analysis, prepare a comprehensive report, and file it with the Central Coast Information Center, located at the University of California, Santa Barbara, and provide for the permanent curation of the recovered materials. These actions would reduce impacts to a less than significant level.

CR-2 Inadvertent Discovery of Human Remains. In the event that human remains are exposed during subsurface earthwork activities associated with development of the project, an immediate halt work order shall be issued, and the City Community Development Department shall be notified. State Health and Safety Code Section 7050.5 requires that no further disturbance of the site or any nearby area reasonably suspected to overlie adjacent human remains shall occur until the County Coroner has made the necessary findings as to origin and disposition pursuant to PRC Section 5097.98. If the remains are determined to be of Native American descent, the coroner shall notify the Native American Heritage Commission (NAHC) within 24 hours. These protocols shall be detailed on project grading and construction plans for all development on-site. These actions would reduce impacts to a less than significant level.

Effectiveness of Mitigation Measures: With implementation of Mitigation Measures CR-1 and CR-2, potential impacts to archaeological resources and undiscovered buried human remains would be avoided and impacts would be less than significant.

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6. ENERGY
Would the project:

Potentially
Significant Impact
Less Than
Significant with
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant Impact
No Impact
a. Result in potentially significant environmental
impact due to wasteful, inefficient, or
unnecessary consumption of energy resources,
during project construction or operation?
X
b. Conflict with or obstruct a state or local plan for
renewable energy or energy efficiency? X
Setting:

In January 2021, Santa Maria customers began to receive their electricity from Central Coast Community Energy (3CE; previously known as Monterey Bay Community Power [MBCP]), which is a community choice energy agency that has committed to providing its customers with 100% carbon-free sourced energy by 2030.

Community choice energy agencies allow local governments to procure power on behalf of their residents, businesses, and municipal accounts from an alternative supplier while still receiving transmission and distribution service from their existing utility provider (in this case, the Pacific Gas and Electric Company [PG&E]). Per Public Utilities Code Section 366.2, customers have the right to opt out of the community choice energy program and continue to receive service from the incumbent utility (PG&E) if they so choose (City of Santa Maria 2020a). Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas) is the primary provider of natural gas for development within the city. SoCalGas has committed to replacing 20% of its traditional natural gas supply with renewable natural gas by 2030 (Sempra Energy 2022). Renewable natural gas is generated from waste and agricultural byproducts and is carbon-neutral/carbon-negative, which means it can take more GHG emissions out of the atmosphere than it emits as an energy source.

The California Building Code (CBC) contains standards that regulate the method of use, properties, performance, or types of materials used in the construction, alteration, improvement, repair, or rehabilitation of a building or other improvement to real property. The CBC includes mandatory green building standards for residential and nonresidential structures, the most recent version of which are referred to as the 2022 Building Energy Efficiency Standards (effective January 1, 2023). These standards focus on four key areas: smart residential photovoltaic systems, updated thermal envelope standards (preventing heat transfer from the interior to the exterior and vice versa), residential and nonresidential ventilation requirements, and non- residential lighting requirements.

The General Plan Resources Management Element includes goals for achieving increased energy conservation use within the city through increasing the energy efficiency of buildings, appliances, and buildings, as well as encouragement for development and the use of alternative forms of energy. Current measures applied in the city include energy -conserving building standards, recycling, and transportation system improvements. The Resources Management Element also identifies energy conservation policies, including encouraging the use of innovative site and building orientation and landscaping to maximize energy efficiency, fuel efficiency standards, and encouraging development of alternative energy sources.

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Discussion:
a. The project includes the GPA and rezone to allow for the development of cemetery district maintenance facilities permitted under the Public Facilities zoning and would not result in any immediate energy use.

During construction, fossil fuels, electricity, and natural gas would be used by construction vehicles and equipment. The energy consumed during construction would be temporary in nature and would be typical of other similar construction activities in the county. Federal and state regulations in place require fuel- efficient equipment and vehicles and prohibit wasteful activities, such as diesel idling.

The Project would be infill development and would be required to be designed and constructed in compliance with the CBC, which requires that the project achieves high energy efficiency, including, but not limited to, use of low-flow, energy-efficient appliances, light emitting diode (LED) lighting, insulation and building material standards, etc. D evelopment on the site would rely on local electricity service provider 3CE, which would provide a 100% carbon-free energy mix by 2030, unless they choose to opt- out and be served by PG&E, which provides 50% renewable energy and 89% greenhouse gas (GHG)- free energy (Pacific Gas and Electric Company 2023). Development on the site would rely on SoCalGas as a service provider for natural gas, which is committed to replacing 20% of its traditional natural gas supply with renewable natural gas by 2030. Therefore , the project would not result in a potentially significant environmental impact due to wasteful, inefficient, or unnecessary consumption of energy resources and impacts would be less than significant.
b. Development on the project site to establish the cemetery district maintenance facilities will be required to be designed in full compliance with the CBC, including applicable green building standards. Based on the location of the project site, development in this location is considered infill and the proposed GPA and rezone would not allow for the development of a project that could potentially result in a conflict with a state or local plan for renewable energy or energy efficiency; therefore, impacts would be less than significant.

Mitigation Measure(s) incorporated into the project:

Implementation of the proposed project would not result in potentially significant impacts related to energy; therefore, mitigation is not necessary.

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7. GEOLOGY AND SOILS
Would the project:

Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant with
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact
No Impact
a. Directly or indirectly cause potential substantial
adverse effects, including the risk of loss, injury,
or death involving:

i. Rupture of a known earthquake fault, as
delineated on the most recent Alquist-Priolo
Earthquake Fault Zoning Map issued by the
State Geologist for the area or based on
other substantial evidence of a known fault?
Refer to Division of Mines and Geology
Special Publication 42.

X
ii. Strong seismic ground shaking? X
iii. Seismic-related ground failure, including
liquefaction? X
iv. Landslides? X
b. Result in substantial soil erosion or the loss of
topsoil? X
c. Be located on a geologic unit or soil that is
unstable, or that would become unstable as a
result of the project, and potentially result in on-
or off-site landslide, lateral spreading,
subsidence, liquefaction or collapse?
X
d. Be located on expansive soil, as defined in
Table 18-1-B of the most recent Uniform
Building Code (1994), creating substantial direct
or indirect risks to life or property?
X
e. Have soils incapable of adequately supporting
the use of septic tanks or alternative wastewater
disposal systems where sewers are not
available for the disposal of wastewater?
X
f. Directly or indirectly destroy a unique
paleontological resource or site or unique
geologic feature?
X

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Setting:

The proposed project is located within the Santa Maria Valley, an east–west trending alluvial valley bounded to the north by the San Rafael Range and to the south by the Casmalia Range and the Solomon Hills. The Santa Maria River traverses the valley from east to west, emptying into the Pacific Ocean just west of the town of Guadalupe. The Santa Maria River is formed by the convergence of the Cuyama and the Sisquoc Rivers at Fugler Point near Garey.

The Santa Maria basin is a significant hydrocarbon-producing (i.e., oil and gas) coastal (and off-shore) basin in California. The basin lies at the juncture between the north–west-trending southern Coast Range province and the east–west-trending Transverse Range province. The basin contains a relatively thick Miocene through Holocene age sequence of sedimentary rocks, some of which are prolific petroleum producing formations and others that are highly productive groundwater aquifers.

The Santa Maria Valley is located within a structural fold and thrust fault area; the axes of most of the structural elements in the region run northwest–southeast, parallel to the valley. The Santa Maria basin and adjacent southern Coast Ranges have been subjected to considerable uplift during the last 2 to 5 million years and are considered to be seismically active. Relatively little direct evidence of active faulting (such as offset of bedding or structures observed at a surface fault) has been observed in the region; however, broad bands of seismicity unrelated to surface faults and other evidence indicate the region is seismically active.

According to the City of Santa Maria General Plan Safety Element, several active, potentially active, and inactive faults exist within the basin and region, and generally trend north–west. The major faults include the Santa Maria, Santa Maria River, and Casmalia Faults. None of these faults qualify for Earthquake Fault Zone status as identified by the State Geologist under the Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zones Act.

Based on the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Web Soil Survey (NRCS 2023), the project site is underlain by the following soil type:
• Corralitos loamy sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes. This soil has been severely eroded through soil blowing, and the surface layer is only 6 to 24 inches thick. Permeability and surface runoff are very slow, and the hazard of soil blowing is high. Fertility is low. This soil is used primarily for nonagricultural uses and limited grazing.

Discussion:
a. i. Several active and potentially active faults exist within the region, including the Santa Maria and Casmalia Faults, located approximately 0.5 miles and 3.6 miles away from the project site, respectively. However, based on the Alquist -Priolo Earthquake Fault Zone Maps and information available from the DOC, the city is not located within an identified Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Hazard Zone. Development within the project site is subject to standard construction standards and the CBC to ensure buildings are constructed to withstand the magnitude of earthquakes that could potentially occur in that zone; therefore, potential impacts would be less than significant.
ii. Seismic ground shaking is influenced by the proximity of the site to an earthquake fault, the intensity of the seismic event, and the underlying soil composition. The DOC Probabilistic Seismic Hazard Maps indicate that the entire Santa Maria Valley is located in a lower hazard area. Potential effects of seismic ground shaking on the maintenance building and offices would be minimized through the implementation of the seismic requirements specified by the CBC and applicable City standards for earthquake-resistant construction; therefore, potential impacts would be less than significant.
iii. Based on the Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zone Maps and related information available from the DOC, the city of Santa Maria is not located within a designated liquefaction hazard area. According to the Safety Element, a portion of the project site may contain shallow perched groundwater. Development within the project site would be required to comply with CBC requirements and the City’s building regulations to reduce risk associated with seismic- related ground failure, including liquefaction; therefore, potential impacts related to liquefaction would be less than significant.

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iv. Landslides typically occur in areas with steep slopes or in areas containing escarpments.

Based on the Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zone Maps and related information available from the DOC, the city is not located within a designated landslide hazard zone. According to the Safety Element, the project site is not located within an area where landslide movements are anticipated to occur. The project site is generally flat and is not located near slopes that would be susceptible to landslides; therefore, the potential for impacts related to landslides would be less than significant.
b. According to the Natural Resource Conservation Service’s Web Soil Survey, the primary soil type underlying the project site is Corralitos loamy sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes, with a 0.4-acre portion of the project site comprised of Terrace escarpments, sandy. Construction phase activity may result in wind and water driven soil erosion and loss of topsoil if soil is stockpiled or exposed. Development of the project site would be subject to the City ’s Landscape and Irrigation Standards to provide soil erosion control on -site. If proposed development meets or exceeds 1 acre or more of ground disturbance, the development would require preparation of a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP), which would be administered through project construction. The SWPPP would be required to incorporate Best Management Practices (BMPs) to ensure that potential water quality impacts during construction from soil erosion would be reduced to less than significant levels. Therefore, impacts related to soil erosion and loss of topsoil would be less than significant. c. The following analysis is based on the Safety Element in the City’s General Plan (1995):

Liquefaction or collapse: The soil conditions present at the project site are not susceptible to liquefaction if substantial ground shaking events were to occur. Standard construction techniques would be employed to ensure no significant risk to human life would occur; therefore, impacts related to liquefaction would be less than significant.

Landslide: Landslides typically occur in areas with steep s lopes or containing escarpments. Based on
the Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zone Maps and related information available from the DOC, Santa Maria is not located within a designated landslide hazard zone. According to the Safety Element, the project site is not located within an area where landslide movements are anticipated to occur; therefore, the potential for impacts related to landslides would be less than significant.

Lateral Spreading: The project site is not located within an area known to contain ex pansive soils.

Additionally, all building development would be required to comply with the most recent CBC requirements, which would ensure protection of structures and occupants from seismic hazards, such as expansive soils; therefore, impacts related to seismic soils would be less than significant.

Subsidence: Santa Maria area has not had significant subsidence issues despite historical oil drilling in the area. Although subsidence could occur, it is perceived to be an insignificant risk due to the absence of reported incidences (City of Santa Maria 1995); therefore, impacts related to subsidence would be less than significant.
d. According to the Safety Element, the project site is not located within an area known to contain expansive soils. Additionally, all development would be required to comply with the most recent CBC requirements, which would ensure protection of structures and occupants from geologic hazards, such as expansive soils; therefore, impacts related to seismic soils would be less than significant. e. The proposed project would include installation of a new service connection to existing City’s wastewater treatment facilities and would not include the use of septic tanks or alternative wastewater disposal systems; therefore, no impacts would result from the use of an onsite septic system.

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f. While there are no unique geologic features on the project site, the site is underlain by Older Alluvium, which is considered to have high sensitivity for paleontological resources ( Diblee 1994; U.S.

Department of Transportation [ DOT] 2004). Fossils that have been historically encountered in formations of this age include tidepool and rock -cliff mollusks and barnacles in marine deposits (Woodring et al. 1950). Based on the sensitivity of the underlying geologic formation, development on- site may have the potential to disturb previously unknown paleontological resources. Mitigation measure GEO-1 has been recommended to address inadvertent discovery protocol in order to reduce potential impacts to paleontological resources to less than significant; therefore, potential impacts are less than significant with mitigation.

Mitigation Measure(s) incorporated into the project:

GEO-1 Inadvertent Discovery of Paleontological Resources. Should any vertebrate fossils or potentially significant finds (e.g., numerous well-preserved invertebrate or plant fossils) be encountered during work on- site, all activities in the immediate vicinity of the find shall cease until a qualified paleontologist evaluates the find for its scientific value. If deemed significant, the paleontological resource(s) shall be salvaged and deposited in an accredited and permanent scientific institution where they will be properly curated and preserved. These actions would reduce impacts to a less than significant level.

Effectiveness of Mitigation Measures: With implementation of Mitigation Measure GEO-1 potential impacts to paleontological resources would be avoided and impacts would be less than significant.

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8. GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS
Would the project:

Potentially
Significant Impact
Less Than
Significant with
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant Impact
No Impact
a. Generate greenhouse gas emissions, either
directly or indirectly, that may have a significant
impact on the environment?
X
b. Conflict with an applicable plan, policy or
regulation adopted for the purpose of reducing
the emissions of greenhouse gases?
X
Setting:

Regulatory Framework:

In response to climate change, California implemented Assembly Bill (AB) 32, the “California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006.” AB 32 required the reduction of statewide GHG emissions to 1990 emissions levels (essentially a 15% reduction below 2005 emission levels) by 2020 and the adoption of rules and regulations to achieve the maximum technologically feasible and cost-effective GHG emissions reductions. On September 8, 2016, the Governor signed Senate Bill (SB) 32 into law, extending AB 32 by requiring the State to further reduce GHG emissions to 40% below 1990 levels by 2030 (the other provisions of AB 32 remain unchanged). On December 14, 2017, the CARB adopted the 2017 Scoping Plan, which provides a framework for achieving the 2030 target. The 2017 Scoping Plan relies on the continuation and expansion of existing policies and regulations, such as the Cap-and-Trade Program and the Low Carbon Fuel Standard, and implementation of recently adopted policies and legislation, such as SB 1383 (aimed at reducing short-lived climate pollutants including methane, hydrofluorocarbon gases, and anthropogenic black carbon) and SB 100 (discussed further below). The 2017 Scoping Plan also puts an increased emphasis on innovation, adoption of existing technology, and strategic investment to support its strategies. As with the 2013 Scoping Plan Update, the 2017 Scoping Plan does not provide project-level thresholds for land use development. Instead, it recommends local governments adopt policies and locally-appropriate quantitative thresholds consistent with a statewide per capita goal of six metric tons (MT) of CO2e by 2030 and two MT of CO2e by 2050 (CARB 2017). Other relevant state laws and regulations include:
• SB 375: The Sustainable Communities and Climate Protection Act of 2008 (SB 375), signed in August 2008, enhances the state’s ability to reach AB 32 goals by directing the CARB to develop regional GHG emission reduction targets to be achieved from passenger vehicles by 2020 and 2035.

Metropolitan Planning Organizations are required to adopt a Sustainable Communities Strategy (SCS), which allocates land uses in the Metropolitan Planning Organization’s Regional Transportation Plan (RTP). On March 22, 2018, CARB adopted updated regional targets for reducing GHG emissions from 2005 levels by 2020 and 2035.
• SB 100: Adopted on September 10, 2018, SB 100 supports the reduction of GHG emissions from the electricity sector by accelerating the state’s Renewables Portfolio Standard Program. SB 100 requires electricity providers to increase procurement from eligible renewable energy resources to 33 % of total retail sales by 2020, 60% by 2030, and 100% by 2045.
• California Building Standards Code (California Code of Regulations Title 24): The California Building Standards Code (CBC) consists of a compilation of several distinct standards and codes related to building construction including plumbing, electrical, interior acoustics, energy efficiency, and handicap accessibility for persons with physical and sensory disabilities. The current iteration of the Santa Maria Cemetery GPA, Rezone, and Planned Development Permit April 17, 2023 GPZ2021-0003 & PD2022-0014 Environmental Checklist

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CBC is the 2019 Title 24 standards. Part 6 of the CBC is the Building Energy Efficiency Standards, which establishes energy efficiency standards for residential and non-residential buildings in order to reduce California’s energy demand. Part 12 of the CBC is the CALGreen, which includes mandatory minimum environmental performance standards for all ground-up new construction of residential and non-residential structures.

Project-Specific Efficiency Threshold:

A locally-appropriate 2030 project-specific threshold is derived from CARB’s recommendations in the 2017 Climate Change Scoping Plan Update. The locally-appropriate, project-level threshold of 3.2 MT of CO2e per service population has been established , consistent with SB 32 targets, as shown in Table 6 and Table 7.

Table 7 SB 32 Scoping Plan Emissions Sector Targets
GHG Emissions Sector1
2030 State
Emissions
Target
(MMT)1
Locally
Appropriate2
Project
Specific Major Sources3
Residential and
Commercial
38 Yes Yes Natural gas end uses, including
space and water heating of
buildings
Electric Power 53 Yes Yes Electricity uses, including lighting, appliances, machinery and heating
High GWP 11 Yes Yes SF6 from power stations, HFCs
from refrigerants and air
conditioning4
Recycling and Waste 8 Yes Yes Waste generated by residential, commercial, and other facilities
Transportation 103 Yes Yes Passenger, heavy duty, and other vehicle emissions
Industrial 83 No No Oil, gas, and hydrogen production,
refineries, general fuel use, and
mining operations do not occur
substantially within the city and are
not proposed for the project5
Agriculture 24 No No Enteric fermentation, crop residue burning, and manure management do
not occur substantially within the city
and are not proposed for the project
Cap and Trade Reductions -60 No No Reductions from facilities emitting more than 10,000 MT CO
2e per year6
Scoping Plan Target (All
Sectors)
260 No No All emissions sectors
Locally Inapplicable Sector
(Industrial)
-83 No No Oil, gas, and hydrogen production,
refineries, general fuel use, and
mining operations5
Locally Inapplicable Sector
(Agriculture)
-24 No No Enteric fermentation, crop residue
burning, and manure management
Locally Inapplicable Sector
(Cap and Trade)
60 No No Reductions from facilities emitting
more than 10,000 MT CO2e per year6
2030 Locally Applicable
Emissions Sectors
213 Yes Yes Emissions applicable to the local
planning area
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GHG Emissions Sector1
2030 State
Emissions
Target
(MMT)1
Locally
Appropriate2
Project
Specific Major Sources3
MMT = million metric tons
1 All State targets in MMT CO2e. See the 2017 Climate Change Scoping Plan, page 31 for sector details (CARB 2017). 2 Locally-appropriate is defined as having significant emissions in Scoping Plan Categorization categories within the planning area.
3 See CARB GHG Emissions Inventory Scoping Plan Categorization for details, available at:
https://www.arb.ca.gov/cc/inventory/data/data.htm
4 SF6 is used primarily as an insulator in electrical substations while HFCs can be found in many residential and commercial refrigeration and air conditioning units. HFCs are in the process of being phased out through 2036 in most developed countries.
5 The majority of this sector is not applicable to the local planning area, and any potential applicable subsectors cannot be disaggregated due to CARB accounting methods. Therefore, the entire sector has been removed to ensure a more conservative target.
6 Cap and Trade is excluded as reductions will occur independent of local project land use decisions and, therefore, are not locally appropriate.

Table 8 SB 32 Locally-Appropriate Project-Specific Threshold California 2017
Climate Change
Scoping Plan
California 2030 Population (persons)1 41,860,549
California 2030 Employment Projection (persons)2 23,459,500 Service Population (persons) 65,320,049
Locally-Appropriate
2030 Project
Threshold
2030 Locally-Appropriate Emissions Sectors (MT of
CO2e) 213,000,000
2030 Service Population (persons) 65,320,049
2030 Service Person Target (MT of CO2e per Service
Person) 3.32
1 DOF 2021
2 Average of employment range projections under implementation scenario. See CARB 2017 Climate Change Scoping Plan Update, page 55 (CARB 2017).
3Total of 3.26 has been rounded up per Scoping Plan general methodology. Lead agencies may determine this threshold as they deem appropriate.

Service Population:

According to the California State Controller’s Office, the Santa Maria Cemetery District had 14 employees in 2020, including Grounds staff and a Grounds Manager. Therefore, the service population of the anticipated development is conservatively estimated to be 14 Cemetery District Employees.

Discussion:
a-b. Construction and operational GHG emissions associated with the project were quantified using CalEEMod. Complete CalEEMod results and assumptions are provided in Appendix A. Calculations of CO2, CH4, and N2O emissions are provided to identify the magnitude of potential project effects. The analysis focuses on CO2, CH4, and N2O because these make up 98.9 % of all GHG emissions by volume and are the GHG emissions that the project would emit in the largest quantities (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change [IPCC] 2007).

Project construction would generate GHG emissions from the operation of heavy equipment, motor vehicles, and worker trips to and from the site. As shown in Table 8, project construction would emit approximately 13.1 MT of CO2e, which would result in approximately 0.44 MT of CO2e per year when amortized over 30 years.

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Table 9 Estimated Construction GHG Emissions
Metric Emissions (MT of CO2e)
Total 13.1
Total Amortized over 30 Years 0.44
MT of CO2e = metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent
See Appendix A for CalEEMod worksheets.

In addition to construction emissions, project operation would generate GHG emissions from new vehicle trips, electricity and natural gas usage, area sources, and off -road equipment usage. The amortized emissions from construction were added to the operational emissions to determine the total combined annual emissions. Table 9 summarizes combined annual GHG emissions generated by project construction and operation based on the CalEEMod output files in Appendix A.

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Table 10 Combined Annual Emissions of Greenhouse Gases
Emission Source Annual Emissions (MT of CO2e)
Construction 0.44
Operational
Area 0
Energy 0
Mobile 22.4
Solid Waste 0.03
Water 0.01
Total Emissions 22.88
Service Population 14
Emissions per Service
Population (MT
CO2e/SP/year)

1.63 Project-Specific Efficiency
Threshold (MT CO2e/SP/year)

3.3 Exceed Project-Specific
Threshold?
No
MT of CO2e = metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent
See Appendix A for CalEEMod worksheets.

As shown in Table 9, the combined annual GHG emissions from the project would be approximately

1.63 MT of CO2e per service person, which would not exceed the locally-appropriate, project-specific threshold of 3.3 MT of CO2e per service person per year.

The proposed project operations would include numerous energy and water efficiency measures, as required by CALGreen. Additionally, the SBCAG has incorporated a sustainable community strategy into its 2050 Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy (Connected 2050 RTP/SCS), which is designed to help the region achieve its SB 375 GHG emissions reduction target. The Connected 2050 RTP/SCS includes strategies intended to increase jobs within the City of Santa Maria. The commercial portion of the project would increase employment within the city which would improve the City’s jobs-housing ratio and therefore reduce vehicle emissions. The project would also be required to comply with existing State regulations, which include increased energy conservation measures and other actions adopted to achieve the overall GHG emissions reduction goals identified in SB 32. Although there is no locally adopted GHG Reduction Plan to reduce emissions from new development, the project would not conflict with any State regulations intended to reduce GHG emissions statewide and would be generally consistent with local plans and programs designed to reduce GHG emissions. Therefore, impacts would be less than significant.

Mitigation Measure(s) incorporated into the project:

Implementation of the proposed project would not result in potentially significant impacts related to greenhouse gas emissions; therefore, mitigation is not necessary.

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9. HAZARDS AND HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
Would the project:

Potentially
Significant Impact
Less Than
Significant with
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant Impact
No Impact
a. Create a significant hazard to the public or the
environment through the routine transport, use,
or disposal of hazardous materials?
X
b. Create a significant hazard to the public or the
environment through reasonably foreseeable
upset and accident conditions involving the
release of hazardous materials into the
environment?
X
c. Emit hazardous emissions or handle hazardous
or acutely hazardous materials, substances, or
waste within one-quarter mile of an existing or
proposed school?
X
d. Be located on a site which is included on a list of
hazardous materials sites compiled pursuant to
Government Code Section 65962.5 and, as a
result, would it create a significant hazard to the
public or the environment?
X
e. For a project located within an airport land use
plan or, where such a plan has not been
adopted, within two miles of a public airport or
public use airport, would the project result in a
safety hazard or excessive noise for people
residing or working in the project area?
X
f. Impair implementation of or physically interfere
with an adopted emergency response plan or
emergency evacuation plan?
X
g. Expose people or structures, either directly or
indirectly, to a significant risk of loss, injury or
death involving wildland fires?
X
Setting:

In the City of Santa Maria, the use and storage of hazardous materials is primarily regulated by the Uniform Fire Code. Transport of hazardous materials and waste on public streets is primarily regulated by the California Vehicle Code and the SMMC. Storage and disposal of hazardous wastes is primarily regulated by the Santa Barbara County Environmental Health Services Division (EHS) through their Hazardous Waste Generator Program as authorized by the State Health and Safety Code. Any business that stores hazardous materials in accordance with Article 80 of the Uniform Fire Code must provide either a hazardous materials inventory statement (HMIS) or a hazardous materials management plan (HMMP) to the Fire Chief of the City of Santa Maria and the County of Santa Barbara. In addition, the City of Santa Maria Fire Department and the County Santa Maria Cemetery GPA, Rezone, and Planned Development Permit April 17, 2023 GPZ2021-0003 & PD2022-0014 Environmental Checklist

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EHS require a Business Plan in accordance with State regulations for businesses that store and use hazardous waste (City of Santa Maria 1995).

The specific site is not listed as a cleanup site on the California Department of Toxic Substance Control’s (DTSC) EnviroStor database. However, the site is listed on the State Water Resources Control Board’s (SWRCB) Geotracker system (DTSC 2022; SWRCB 2022).

Additionally, the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department does list this site as a location of an abandoned oil well head associated with historical oil field operations. The affected areas contained crude oil mixed with native soil. Former “Community” 1 Well #20264, south of 690 East Newlove, and notes the status as closed for remedial action case under Voluntary Cleanup Program as of October 7, 2022.

There is an active Cleanup Program Site located on the parcel to the north of the project site that is currently under evaluation for potential release of petroleum hydrocarbons into the soil. On August 13, 2021, EHS was called to inspect the 0.87-acre site regarding material encountered during site grading, consistent with historical oil field activities and associated contamination. A n apparent oil well cellar where redwood lumber and hydrocarbon impacted material were observed and removed for proper disposal. On August 17, 2021, Buena Resources, Inc., proposed a work plan for oil well locating, well cellar excavation/sampling, leak detection and sump investigation/removal at the Community #1 Oil Well located on the project site. On August 18, 2021, EHS submitted a letter of intent to open a Remedial Action Case under Voluntary Cleanup Program, as authorized by Health and Safety Code Section 101480. On the same day, Buena Resources, Inc. implemented the work plan to physically locate the well and to investigate the extent of contamination associated with the well and sump. Once the well was located, shallow trenches were placed to the north-northeast to locate the sump based on historical aerial photographs from the 1938 and 1943 time period. In a Site Investigation Report dated September 15, 2021, Buena Resources, Inc. noted the visual bottom of the sump was at 16’, however diesel and motor oil were reported above the Environmental Screening Levels in the bottom sample. There was a thin layer of white cement at or near the bottom of the sump. A Remedial Action Plan (RAP) for Community #1 Well Site dated September 17, 2021 proposed excavation to 17-18’ and a total estimated volume 2,200 tons of sump material and surface oil pad and cellar material were proposed for removal and disposal at the Santa Maria Regional Landfill. Backfill from the Laguna Sanitation District’s stockpile was proposed. Confirmation samples would be collected to be analyzed for Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons (TPH) full range, Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs), and metals. EHS confirmed their review of these reports and provided conditions for implementing the RAP. Verification samples were to be below Residential Environmental Screening Levels and delineated to 100 mg/kg for TPH for EHS to consider correction action complete. On October 7, 2022, Santa Barbara County submitted a letter confirming case closure and no further action needed.

Discussion:
a-b. As discussed in the Setting, one oil well and sump has been identified on the project site. The site is undergoing remediation and the will is proposed to be abandoned to CalGEM standards. Future development would be required to include a 10- foot-wide radius “no build” easement around the abandoned well site. Future development of the project site would include the temporary use and storage of limited quantities of hazardous substances, including gasoline, diesel fuel, hydraulic fluid, solvents, oils, paints, etc. during construction. Construction contractors would be required to comply with applicable federal and state environmental and workplace safety laws. Additionally, the construction contractor would be required to implement BMPs for the storage, use, and transportation of hazardous materials during all construction activities. With required adherence to federal and state regulations for hazardous materials and avoidance of the oil wells on and in the immediate vicinity of the project site, impacts related to the risk of exposure, upset, or accidents involving hazardous materials would be less than significant. The proposed zoning would not allow for land uses that would require the routine transport, use, or disposal of hazardous materials. Therefore, impacts related to the routine transport, use, disposal, or accidental release of hazardous materials during construction would be less than significant.

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c. Two elementary schools are located within a quarter mile of the proposed project. Construction of the project site would include the temporary use and storage of limited quantities of hazardous substances, including gasoline, diesel fuel, hydraulic fluid, solvents, oils, paints, etc. during construction. Construction contractors would be required to comply with applicable federal and state environmental and workplace safety laws. Additionally, the construction contractor would be required to implement BMPs for the storage, use, and transportation of hazardous materials during all construction activities. The proposed zoning would not allow for land uses that would require the routine transport, use, or disposal of hazardous materials. Therefore, impacts related to the routine transport, use, disposal, or accidental release of hazardous materials during construction would be less than significant. d. California Government Code Section 65962.5 requires various state agencies to compile lists of hazardous waste disposal facilities, unauthorized release from underground storage tanks, contaminated drinking water wells, and solid waste facilities from whic h there is known migration of hazardous waste and submit such information to the Secretary for Environmental Protection on at least an annual basis. As discussed above, preliminary site investigations have identified elevated concentrations of TPH above ES Ls. Based on these results, disturbance on the project site for development of the proposed public facilities uses could result in potential significant impacts related hazardous materials identified onsite. Mitigation Measure HAZ -1 which involves conditions for remediation provided by EHS would be required prior to construction of the project. e. There are no private airstrips within or in the vicinity of the project site. The Santa Maria Airport lies approximately 2.09 miles to the southwest of the project site. Based on the currently adopted 1993 Santa Barbara County Airport Land Use Plan for the Santa Maria Public Airport (Santa Barbara County Airport Land Use Commission 1993) and the General Plan Safety Element, the project site is not located within the Santa Maria Airport area of influence or noise contours.

Based on the Draft Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan (Santa Barbara County 2022), the project site would still not be located within the airport’s noise contours, therefore no specific noise mitigation related to airport related noise is necessary. The site is outside of all airport safety zones, but the site would be located within the airport influence area (AIA -Review Area-2), which would require a real estate disclosure at time of sale or transfer of the property. The height of the structures on this site are limited by the zoning ordinance to 35 feet, which would not exceed airport height limitation of 511-feet above airport elevation in this area; therefore, potential impacts would be less than significant. f. The proposed project does not include any characteristics or features that would interfere with an adopted emergency response plan or emergency evacuation plan. The project would not result in the closure of any roads. Development of the project site would utilize the existing access driveways on the cemetery site, and if new future access driveways are proposed, they would be developed in compliance with local and state safety regulations and all improvements would be required to comply with applicable CBC and California Fire Code requirements pertaining to emergency access; therefore, impacts related to interference with an adopted emergency response plan or evacuation plan would be less than significant.
g. The project site is surrounded by residential development, public facilities, and transportation infrastructure; it is not located adjacent to a wildland fire area. Based on the Safety Element, the most significant wildland fire hazards for development within the city are associated with the coastal sage scrub and grass-covered slopes in the Casmalia and Solomon Hills south of the city. The project site is located approximately 8 miles north of these areas and is located within a heavily urbanized area; therefore, impacts related to wildland fires would be less than significant.

Mitigation Measure(s) incorporated into the project:

HAZ-1 Site Remediation. The applicant shall implement the following measures prior to construction of the project:
 Under the direction of a Professional Civil Engineer in Responsible Charge, t he project applicant shall monitor the site conditions , notify the Santa Barbara County Environmental Health Services Division (EHS) of any future contamination findings, and complete any clean- up work under the direction of EHS.

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The project applicant shall obtain all permits and appropriate clearances from applicable agencies prior to initiating fieldwork.

Effectiveness of Mitigation Measures:

Implementation of Mitigation Measure HAZ-1 would ensure the necessary remedial actions are conducted on the project site prior to development onsite. These actions would reduce impacts to a less than significant level.

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10. HYDROLOGY AND WATER QUALITY
Would the project:

Potentially
Significant Impact
Less Than
Significant with
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant Impact
No Impact
a. Violate any water quality standards or waste
discharge requirements or otherwise
substantially degrade surface or ground water
quality?
X
b. Substantially decrease groundwater supplies or
interfere substantially with groundwater
recharge such that the project may impede
sustainable groundwater management of the
basin?
X
c. Substantially alter the existing drainage pattern
of the site or area, including through the
alteration of the course of a stream or river or
through the addition of impervious surfaces, in a
manner which would:

i. result in substantial erosion or siltation on-
or off-site; X
ii. substantially increase the rate or amount of
surface runoff in a manner which would
result in flooding on- or offsite;
X
iii. create or contribute runoff water which
would exceed the capacity of existing or
planned stormwater drainage systems or
provide substantial additional sources of
polluted runoff; or
X
iv. impede or redirect flood flows? X
d. In flood hazard, tsunami, or seiche zones, risk
release of pollutants due to project inundation? X
e. Conflict with or obstruct implementation of a
water quality control plan or sustainable
groundwater management plan?
X
Setting:

The proposed project would require on- site grading, which could result in the erosion of onsite soils and sedimentation during heavy wind or rain events. The project would be required to comply with all local, state, and federal requirements, including a state Construction General Permit, which requires the preparation of a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP). The SWPPP would include BMPs to control the discharge of pollutants, including sediment from erosion, into local surface water drainages. The project would further be required to comply with the adopted standards contained within the City of Santa Maria’s Municipal Code, Santa Maria Cemetery GPA, Rezone, and Planned Development Permit April 17, 2023 GPZ2021-0003 & PD2022-0014 Environmental Checklist

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Section 8-12 (wastewater) and 8-12A (stormwater). Section 8-12A.04 also incorporates the Post-Construction Stormwater Management Requirements for Development Projects in the Central Coast Region (Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board, Resolution No. R3- 2013-0032). By incorporating these design provisions and permit review and procedures by the City, the project would not violate water quality standards and waste discharge requirements.

The project site is located within the Santa Maria Watershed, one of the largest coastal drainage basins in California, and includes all areas tributary to the Cuyama, Siquoc, and Santa Maria Rivers. The Santa Maria Watershed overlies the Santa Maria Valley Groundwater Basin, covering more than 280 square miles in the southwestern corner of San Luis Obispo County and the northwestern corner of Santa Barbara County.

Historically, the City pumped water from the Santa Maria Valley Groundwater Basin as its sole water supply until the City began receiving State Water Project (SWP) water from the Central Coast Water Authority (CCWA) in 1997. The Santa Maria Valley Groundwater Basin is currently under a 2008 court-ordered stipulation that allows the City to derive its water supply from local groundwater, associated return flows from imported SWP water that may be recaptured in the basin, and a share of the yield of Twitchell Reservoir operations.

The stipulation divided the Santa Maria Valley Groundwater Basin into three management areas, the largest being the Santa Maria Valley Management Area (SMVMA), which overlies the city. Since the late 1960s, the basin has alternately experienced significant recharge (recovery) and decline, which, collectively, reflect a general long-term stability as groundwater levels in both aquifer zones have fluctuated between historical-low and near historical -high levels over alternating 5 - to 15-year periods. Groundwater levels throughout the SMVMA have shown this trend, but with different ranges of fluctuation and groundwater levels have repeatedly recovered to near or above previous historical-high levels, most recently in 2002 (Luhdorff and Scalmaninin Consulting Engineers 2018).

The provisions of the 2008 court-ordered stipulation require that an annual assessment be prepared for the Santa Maria Valley Management Area. According to the 2017 Annual Report (Luhdorff and Scalmaninin Consulting Engineers 2018), the conditions in the SMVMA do not satisfy all the criteria delineated in the Stipulation for defining a severe water shortage as a result, it was concluded that there is no finding of severe water shortage conditions in the SMVMA in 2017.

In 2016, groundwater resource planning and data reporting requirements under the California Department of Water Resource (DWR) Sustainable Groundwater Management Program (SGMA) commenced. Since the SMVMA is part of an adjudicated basin, the DWR considers it already managed by the court and, thus, SGMA groundwater resource planning requirements do not apply (Luhdorff and Scalmaninin Consulting Engineers 2018).

The closest body of water to the project site is the Santa Maria River, located approximately 3 miles northeast of the project site. Based on the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) National Flood Hazard Layer (NFHL) Viewer, the project site is not located within a 100-year floodplain. Based on the DOC Santa Barbara County Tsunami Inundation Maps, the project site is not located within an area with the potential for tsunami inundation.

Discussion:
a. Development of cemetery district facilities would be required to comply with all federal, state, and local requirements, including a state Construction General Permit, which requires the preparation of a SWPPP. The SWPPP would include BMPs to control the discharge of pollutants, including sediment from erosion, into local surface water drainages. Future development of cemetery district facilities would further be required to comply with the adopted standards contained within the City’s Municipal Code, Section 8-12 (wastewater) and 8- 12A (stormwater). Section 8- 12A.04 also incorporates the Post - Construction Stormwater Management Requirements for Development Projects in the Central Coast Region (Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board [RWQCB] Resolution No. R3-2013-0032).

By incorporating these design provisions and permit review and approval procedures by the City, the project would not violate water quality standards and waste discharge requirements, and impacts would be less than significant.
b. Future uses on-site would require new connections to the City’s water services. The City utilizes the following available water supply sources: local groundwater, purchased water from the SWP, associated Santa Maria Cemetery GPA, Rezone, and Planned Development Permit April 17, 2023 GPZ2021-0003 & PD2022-0014 Environmental Checklist

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return flows recaptured from the SMGB, assigned rights to water from the SMGB, and assigned rights to augmented yield from Twitchell Reservoir. The City’s water supply is expected to reliably meet the projected city water demands and have an available supply in excess through 2040, with the majority of this demand being met by imported state water (City of Santa Maria 2016). Based on the type of potential future development to be allowed onsite, such as development of cemetery district facilities, and the sources of future water supply, the project would not result in a substantial decrease of groundwater supplies or s ubstantial interference with groundwater recharge, and impacts would be less than significant.
c. i-iv. The cemetery district facility development would be limited to site coverage of no more than 50% of the total area of the property according to the zoning standards for Public Facilities Zone Districts. The remaining landscaped open area would address infiltration and water quality requirements. By incorporating these design provisions, and permit review and procedures by the City, the project would not violate water quality standards and waste discharge requirements. Development of the project site would also be subject to the City’s Landscape and Irrigation Standards to provide soil erosion control on- site. Based on the FEMA NFHL Viewer, the project site is not located within a 100-year floodplain. Therefore, the project would not have the potential to result in substantial erosion or siltation on- or off-site, substantially increase the rate or amount of surface runoff in a manner which would result in flooding on- or off-site, create or contribute runoff water that would exceed the capacity of existing or planned stormwater drainage systems, or impede or redirect flood flows; therefore, potential impacts would be less than significant.

d. In 2017, the City of Santa Maria prepared a Hazard Mitigation Plan (an annex to the Santa Barbara County Operational Area Hazard Mitigation Plan) which describes specific hazard prevention measures and floodplain development requirements for projects that could be subject to flooding. Principally, the Santa Maria River levee, built by the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers, has been designed to protect the city from a “100-year” flood event. Further, all potential development occurring within a floodplain would be required to follow an established development review process and may be subject to additional federal, state, and local review and permits as required by the Floodplain Administrator and the Santa Maria Municipal Code. The Federal Emergency Management Agenc y (FEMA) Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) indicates that the project area is located entirely within an area of minimal flood hazard. No potential impacts from flood hazards are expected.

Twitchell Dam is the closest potential source of dam inundation in the City of Santa Maria, located approximately 8 miles northeast of the project site. The dam was constructed by the Bureau of Reclamation in 1958 and is primarily used for groundwater recharge and flood control. Twitchell Dam is not used for perennial water storage. In the event of dam or levee failure, a significant portion of the city would be inundated by flooding. However, the probability of total dam failure and levee failure is remote, and the dam only periodically holds water and is not a reservoir. Therefore, potential impacts from dam failure are considered to be less than significant.

The project site is approximately 11 miles east from the Pacific Ocean and would not be at risk of inundation by a tsunami. There are no bodies of water in the vicinit y of the project site that are large enough to produce a seiche and the project site is not located in an area prone to landslides, mud slides, soil slips, or slumps; therefore, no impacts would occur. e. As discussed in the threshold analysis above, the project would not deplete groundwater supplies, or interfere substantially with groundwater recharge. The project includes stormwater treatment and storage facilities and would not conflict with the Central Coastal Basin Plan, or other water quality control plans.

The project would not conflict with SGMA, or other local or regional plans or policies intended to manage water quality or groundwater supplies; therefore, impacts would be less than significant.

Mitigation Measure(s) incorporated into the project:

Implementation of the proposed project would not result in potentially significant impacts related to hydrology or water quality; therefore, mitigation is not necessary.

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11. LAND USE AND PLANNING
Would the project:

Potentially
Significant Impact
Less Than
Significant with
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant Impact
No Impact
a. Physically divide an established community? X
b. Cause a significant environmental impact due to
a conflict with any land use plan, policy, or
regulation adopted for the purpose of avoiding
or mitigating an environmental effect?
X
Setting:

The project parcel is currently comprised of an undeveloped infill parcel surrounded by single family and condominium residential development, cemetery uses, sidewalks and city streets. The project site has an MDR- 12 (Medium Density Residential, 12 units per acre) general plan land use designation and R-2 (Medium Density Residential) zoning designation. The purpose of the MDR-12 general plan designation is to encourage new development while stabilizing existing development. Allows a mixture of unit types, while maintaining the feeling of a single-family neighborhood. To encourage reinvestment in older areas and provide a land conservation measure by inducing development away from yet undeveloped areas.

Discussion:
a. The project does not propose project elements or components that would physically divide the site from surrounding areas and uses. The project would allow for the expansion of existing public facilities cemetery district land uses and would not conflict with the surrounding residences. The project would be reviewed for compatibility with surrounding uses and would not create, close or impede any existing public or private roads, or create any other barriers to movement or accessibility within the community.

Therefore, the proposed project would not physically divide an established community and impacts would be less than significant.
b. The project proposes to change the current land use designation from Medium Density Residential (MDR-12) to Community Facilities (CF), and the current zoning from R-2 (Medium Density Residential) to PF (Public Facilities and Institutional). This change would allow a range of public facilities, including schools and government buildings established within the parcel where currently only residential uses are allowed.At the time of permit application, future development of the site would undergo review for consistency with the proposed CF general plan designation and PF zoning standards, as well as overall compatibility with surrounding land uses and, therefore, would not conflict with any applicable land use plan, policy, or regulation adopted for the purpose of avoiding or mitigating environmental effects.

Impacts would be less than significant.

Mitigation Measure(s) incorporated into the project:

Implementation of the proposed project would not result in potentially significant impacts related to land use or planning; therefore, mitigation is not necessary.

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12. MINERAL RESOURCES
Would the project:

Potentially
Significant Impact
Less Than
Significant with
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant Impact
No Impact
a. Result in the loss of availability of a known
mineral resource that would be of value to the
region and the residents of the state?
X
b. Result in the loss of availability of a locally-
important mineral resource recovery site
delineated on a local general plan, specific plan
or other land use plan?
X
Setting:

Santa Maria’s primary mineral resources are sand, rock, and oil. The Santa Maria River channel is considered to be a valuable mineral resource. The river contains the largest resources of Portland Cement Concrete-grade aggregate and almost 90% of the available alluvial sand and gravel resources in the Santa Barbara/San Luis Obispo County region. The Santa Maria Basin is also a significant hydrocarbon (i.e., oil and gas) producing basin in California, historically allowing for the development of the oil industry throughout the region. Many of the areas oil wells have since been capped and abandoned due to the development and urbanization of the city. Based on the General Plan Resources Management Element, the project site is located within the City’s areas designated for operational, existing, or abandoned oil facilities (City of Santa Maria 2001).

Discussion:
a-b. The project parcel is located in an urban area of Santa Maria. Based on the Resources Management Element, the project site is located within the City ’s areas designated for operational, existing, or abandoned oil facilities (City of Santa Maria 2001). The California Department of Conservation Well Finder (CalGEM GIS) confirms that there are no active oil wells within the project site. However, there is an oil well at the site that is in the process of being remediated and properly abandoned to CalGEM standards. The potential for impacts to occur to mineral resources is insignificant considering the project site is located within a developed area of the City and is not a conducive location for mineral resource extraction or mining. Therefore, the impact on known mineral resources of value to the region and to residents of the state or the loss of availability of a locally important mineral resource recovery site delineated on a local general plan, specific plan or other land use plan would be less than significant.

Although the project site may overlie valuable oil and gas minerals, the area has been entirely built out with urban uses within the city. Therefore, the potential for future mining uses at the site is very low and potential impacts would be less than significant.

Mitigation Measure(s) incorporated into the project:

Implementation of the proposed project would not result in potentially significant impacts related to mineral resources; therefore, mitigation is not necessary.

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13. NOISE
Would the project result in:

Potentially
Significant Impact
Less Than
Significant with
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant Impact
No Impact
a. Generation of a substantial temporary or
permanent increase in ambient noise levels in
excess of standards established in the local
general plan or noise ordinance, or applicable
standards of other agencies?
X
b. Generation of excessive groundborne vibration
or groundborne noise levels? X
c. For a project located within the vicinity of a
private airstrip or an airport land use plan or,
where such a plan has not been adopted, within
two miles of a public airport or public use airport,
would the project expose people residing or
working in the project area to excessive noise
levels?
X
Setting:

Community noise levels are typically measured in terms of A -weighted decibels (dBA). A -weighting is a frequency correction that correlates overall sound pressure levels with the frequency response of the human ear. Equivalent noise level (Leq) is the average noise level on an energy basis for a specific time period. The duration of noise and the time of day at which it occurs are important factors in determining the impact of noise on communities. The CNEL and Day-Night Average Level (L dn) account for the time of day and duration of
noise generation. These indices are time-weighted average values equal to the amount of acoustic energy equivalent to a time-varying sound over a 24-hour period.

The Noise Element includes noise compatibility standards for noise exposure by land use, including interior and exterior noise standards (Table 7).

Table 11. Interior and Exterior Noise Standards
Land Use Categories Standard dB CNEL
Category Uses Interior Exterior
Residential Single Family, Duplex, Multiple Family, Mobile Home 45 60 Noise-Sensitive Land Uses Motel, Hospital, School, Nursing Home, Church, Library, and Other
45 60
Commercial Retail, Restaurant, Professional Offices 55 65 Industrial Manufacturing, Utilities, Warehousing, Agriculture 65 70 Open Space Passive Outdoor Recreation -- 65
Source: City of Santa Maria General Plan Noise Element, Table N-4.

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The project parcel is located within 50 feet of an existing residential single-family neighborhood, located to the north and south of the project parcel, and condominiums to the west. No other sensitive receptor locations occur within 1,000 feet of the project parcel.

Discussion:
a. The project is located in an urbanized area surrounded by residential development, public facilities, and roadways. Proposed construction activities onsite and associated construction-related noise would be limited in duration, but will take place within 50 feet of surrounding residential single-family dwellings, and therefore would have the potential to exceed City exterior noise thresholds. However, with adherence to City construction work hours, implementation of noise control for stationary equipment, and proper maintenance of all equipment, unnecessary increased noise levels can be avoided.

Following construction, future development uses would not result in a significantly noticeable increase over existing vehicle noise in the area. Potential development of a cemetery district maintenance building might result in temporary noise from earth moving equipment (backhoe/loader) coming and going from the site; however, the noise from this equipment would be temporary in nature and would not result in a significant increase in ambient noise levels in the area.

Therefore, impacts related to generation of noise levels in excess of standards established in local plans would be less than significant with mitigation.
b. Potential future development of the project parcel would include the construction of a cemetery district maintenance building and installation of new utility connections. Development of these types of uses would not require pile driving or other high impact activities that would generate substantial groundborne noise or groundborne vibration during construction. Use of heavy construction equipment would generate groundborne noise and vibration, but these activities would be limited in duration and consistent with other standard construction activities and would very likely not be substantial enough to be detected by occupants of surrounding land uses. Therefore, potential impacts would be less than significant. c. There are no private airstrips within or in the vicinity of the project site. The Santa Maria Airport lies approximately 2.09 miles to the southwest of the project site. Based on the currently adopted 1993 Santa Barbara County Airport Land Use Plan for the Santa Maria Public Airport (Santa Barbara County Airport Land Use Commission 1993) and the General Plan Safety Element, the project site is not located within the Santa Maria Airport area of influence or noise contours. Based on the Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan (Santa Barbara County 2023), the project site would still not be located within the airport’s noise contours, therefore no specific noise mitigation related to airport related noise is necessary. Therefore, impacts associated with future development of the project parcel workers’ or occupants’ exposure to excessive noise levels from aircraft would be less than significant.

Mitigation Measure(s) incorporated into the project:

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14. POPULATION AND HOUSING
Would the project:

Potentially
Significant Impact
Less Than
Significant with
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant Impact
No Impact
a. Induce substantial unplanned population growth
in an area, either directly (for example, by
proposing new homes and businesses) or
indirectly (for example, through extension of
roads or other infrastructure)?
X
b. Displace substantial numbers of existing people
or housing, necessitating the construction of
replacement housing elsewhere?
X
Setting:

Santa Maria consistently has been the fastest growing city in Santa Barbara County over the last two decades.

From Census 2000 to Census 2010, 90% of the county’s population growth occurred in the City of Santa Maria.

It is anticipated that this trend will continue throughout the current decade as Santa Maria continues to be the hub for Northern Santa Barbara County. The City is currently in the midst of the 2015-2023 Regional Housing Needs Allocation housing targets.

Discussion:
a. The project includes the GPA and rezone to allow for the relocation of the cemetery district maintenance building and equipment shelter permitted under the proposed PF zoning designation. The relocated maintenance facility would not provide any new jobs, which would not induce subst antial unplanned population growth and would not result in the need for development of new housing. Lastly, future development of the project site would be infill development and would not result in the extension of roads or other infrastructure to a previ ously undeveloped area. Therefore, the project would not induce substantial unplanned population growth and impacts would be less than significant. b. The project site is undeveloped, and no housing currently exists on the site. Therefore, the project would not displace substantial numbers of existing people or housing, necessitating the construction of replacement housing. No impact would occur.

Mitigation Measure(s) incorporated into the project:

Implementation of the proposed project would not result in potentially significant impacts related to population or housing; therefore, mitigation is not necessary.

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15. PUBLIC SERVICES
Would the project:

Potentially
Significant Impact
Less Than
Significant with
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant Impact
No Impact
a. Result in substantial adverse physical impacts
associated with the provision of new or
physically altered governmental facilities, need
for new or physically altered governmental
facilities, the construction of which could cause
significant environmental impacts, in order to
maintain acceptable service ratios, response
times or other performance objectives for any of
the public services:

i. Fire protection? X
ii. Police protection? X
iii. Schools? X
iv. Parks? X
v. Other public facilities? X
Setting:

Fire and police protection services are provided by the City. The city is served by six fire stations, where all risk emergency services, as well as public education programs, fire prevention, and life safety measures , are provided to the c ity’s residents by the Santa Maria City Fire Department (SMFD). The Santa Maria Police Department (SMPD) provides law enforcement services for the city. Orcutt and the other unincorporated areas of Santa Barbara County are served by the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department. SMPD has 129 sworn officers and 51 full-time support personnel, and provides a full range of professional police services, including civil order, preventative patrol, investigations, traffic control and enforcement, criminalistics, crime prevention, drug enforcement and drug abuse prevention. The city’s elementary and junior high schools are within the Santa Maria-Bonita School District, and the city’s high schools are within the Santa Maria Joint Union High School District.

Discussion:
a. i. Future development of the project site would be served by the SMFD. The nearest fire station is Fire Station #2, located at 416 Carmen Lane, approximately 1.5 miles northeast of the project site. The proposed change in general plan designation and zoning to CF and PF would not substantially increase demand on fire services. Any future development permit applications submitted for development on the project site would be reviewed by the SMFD for conformance with applicable regulations and standards. Development Impact Fees would be collected at the time of approval of development permits for the provision of capital facilities for fire services. No new or physically altered public service facilities or personnel would be required as a result of the proposed project; therefore, potential impacts would be less than significant.

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ii. Future development of the project site would be served by the SMPD, located at 1111 West Betteravia Road, approximately 1.5 mile southwest of the project site. The project does not propose a new use or activity that would require additional police services above what is normally provided for similar surrounding public facility uses and residential developments.

The proposed project would not result in a substantial increase in demand for police protection; therefore, potential impacts would be less than significant. iii. The project site is located within the Santa Maria-Bonita and Santa Maria Joint Union High School Districts. Under the proposed PF zoning, future development on the project site would be for expansion of cemetery district facilities. Any future permit applications submitted for development on the site would be reviewed for potential impacts to surrounding schools.

Therefore, the project would not result in a need for new or physically altered school facilities, and impacts would be less than significant.
iv. The City’s recreation system is comprised of several local parks and recreational facilities.

The nearest public park to the project site is the Enos Historic House Park , located approximately 1,300-feet to the east. Future expansion of the cemetery district would not result in an increased demand on existing park facilities in the vicinity and would not result in the need for new or physically altered park facilities; therefore, potential impacts would be less than significant.
v. As discussed above, the proposed project would be subject to applicable fees to offset negligible increased demands on public facilities; therefore, impacts related to other public facilities would be less than significant.

Mitigation Measure(s) incorporated into the project:

Implementation of the proposed project would not result in potentially significant impacts related to public services; therefore, mitigation is not necessary.

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16. RECREATION
Would the project:

Potentially
Significant Impact
Less Than
Significant with
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant Impact
No Impact
a. Would the project increase the use of existing
neighborhood and regional parks or other
recreational facilities such that substantial
physical deterioration of the facility would occur
or be accelerated?
X
b. Does the project include recreational facilities or
require the construction or expansion of
recreational facilities which might have an
adverse physical effect on the environment?
X
Setting:

The City’s recreation system is comprised of several local parks and recreational facilities, which are managed by the City Department of Recreation and Parks. The department operates 234 acres of developed parkland in 27 neighborhood and community parks.

Discussion:
a-b. The City’s recreation system is comprised of several local parks and recreational facilities. Future expansion of the cemetery district would not result in an increase in the use of existing park facilities in the vicinity and would not result in the need for new or physically altered park facilities. The proposed project would not increase use of existing neighborhood or regional parks or other recreational facilities such that substantial physical deterioration of the facility would occur or be accelerated. In addition, the proposed project does not include the construction of recreational facilities or expansion of existing recreational facilities. Any potential future development of the project site would include land uses that would not require development or expansion of existing recreational facilities; therefore, potential impacts would be less than significant.

Mitigation Measure(s) incorporated into the project:

Implementation of the proposed project would not result in potentially significant impacts related to recreation; therefore, mitigation is not necessary.

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17. TRANSPORTATION
Would the project:

Potentially
Significant Impact
Less Than
Significant with
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant Impact
No Impact
a. Conflict with a program, plan, ordinance or policy
addressing the circulation system, including transit,
roadway, bicycle and pedestrian facilities?
X
b. Conflict or be inconsistent with CEQA Guidelines section 15064.3, subdivision (b)? X
c. Substantially increase hazards due to a geometric
design feature (e.g., sharp curves or dangerous
intersections) or incompatible uses (e.g., farm
equipment)?
X
d. Result in inadequate emergency access? X
Setting:

The CEQA Guidelines use Vehicle Miles Traveled ( VMT) as the basis for determining significant impacts, unless the Guidelines provide specific exceptions.

Based on the City of Santa Maria’s adopted VMT Thresholds, transportation impacts are considered significant if the proposed project would result in a VMT per capita or office VMT per employee above 85% of the countywide average, consistent with technical guidance published by the OPR. OPR’s Technical Advisory lists the following screening thresholds for land use projects. These types of development projects are presumed to have a less than significant impact on VMT and therefore, a less than significant adverse impact on transportation. OPR’s Technical Advisory suggests that lead agencies may screen out VMT impacts using project size, maps, transit accessibility, and provision of affordable housing. Screening criteria are as follows:
 Project Size: Projects that are consistent with the Sustainable Communities Strategy (SCS) or General Plan and generate or attract fewer than 110 daily trips.  Proximity to High Quality Transit: Residential or office projects within one-half mile of an existing major transit station or stop along an existing high-quality transit corridor can be presumed to have a less than significant transportation impact.
 Affordable Housing Development: Projects where a minimum of 20% of the units are deed restricted for low or very low income residents.
 Local Serving Retail typically less than 50,000 square feet  Infrastructure: Projects that would not likely lead to a substantial or measurable increase the vehicle travel are presumed to be VMT neutral and generally presumed to have a less than significant
transportation impact (i.e., induced VMT). These include: Roadway Maintenance and Rehab Projects; Signal Timing/Synchronization/Adaptive Signal Control/Signal Preemption Improvements; Intersection Control Type and Turn Lane Channelization Improvements; Widening for Local or Local Collector Streets; and Transit/Bicycle/Pedestrian Infrastructure Improvements.  Projects that fall within an identified location that demonstrated VMT per Capita for residential projects below 85 % of the countywide average for that metric.

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The City of Santa Maria’s adopted threshold is 85% of the existing countywide baseline VMT per capita, as calculated within the City of Santa Maria for residential uses. The City threshold based on 85% of the countywide average would be 12.34 VMT.

Discussion:
a-b. The project includes the GPA and rezone to allow for the future development of cemetery district maintenance facilities permitted under the Public Facilities zoning. The project applicant has provided a site plan for the development of a cemetery district maintenance building. The project meets the screening criteria to screen out VMT impacts because the project would generate fewer than 110 daily trips (per CEQA). Trip generation estimates were calculated for the conceptual plan using rates presented in the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) Trip Generation manual for cemetery employees, with the assumption that no trips represent pass -by trips. The conceptual plan for a maintenance building with three garage bays, an office and a break room, would result in approximately 52 average daily trips, including 11 trips during the AM peak hour and 12 trips during the PM peak hour.

Therefore, this portion of the proposed project would be covered by this screening threshold and would not require VMT analysis pursuant to City Guidelines or SB 743. Further, the project would not exceed the City threshold for VMT per capita and impacts would be less than significant. c. The project would be developed on an existing parcel and would not alter or affect existing street and intersection networks. The project would be required to comply with City design standards for vehicular access and circulation, including construction and remediation haul trips, and the current Fire Code.

Compliance with these standards would prevent hazardous design features and would ensure adequate and safe site access and circulation. The project would not introduce incompatible uses, including vehicles or equipment, to the site or the surrounding area. There would be no impact. d. Access to the project would be provided from Newlove Drive on the north and South College Drive to the east. The proposed project would be required to comply with all building, fire, and safety codes and development plans would be subject to review and approval by the City’s Municipal Code. Required review by these departments would ensure the circulation system for the project site would provide adequate emergency access. In addition, the proposed project would not require temporary or permanent closures to roadways and would result in no impacts.

Mitigation Measure(s) incorporated into the project:

Implementation of the proposed project would not result in potentially significant impacts related to transportation; therefore, mitigation is not necessary.

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18. TRIBAL CULTURAL RESOURCES

Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant with
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact
No Impact
a. Would the project cause a substantial adverse
change in the significance of a tribal cultural
resource, defined in Public Resources Code
section 21074 as either a site, feature, place or
cultural landscape that is geographically defined
in terms of the size and scope of the landscape,
sacred place, or object with cultural value to a
California Native American tribe, and that is:

vi. Listed or eligible for listing in the California
Register of Historical Resources, or in a
local register of historical resources as
defined in Public Resources Code section
5020.1(k), or
X
vii. A resource determined by the lead agency,
in its discretion and supported by substantial
evidence, to be significant pursuant to
criteria set forth in subdivision (c) of Public
Resources Code Section 5024.1, the lead
agency shall consider the significance of the
resource to a California Native American
tribe.

X
Setting:

Approved in 2014, AB 52 added tribal cultural resources to the categories of resources that must be evaluated under CEQA. Tribal cultural resources are defined as either of the following:
1) Sites, features, cultural landscapes, sacred places, and objects with cultural value to a California Native American tribe that are either of the following:
a) Included or determined to be eligible for inclusion in the CRHR; or b) Included in a local register of historical resources as defined in PRC Section 5020.1(k). 2) A resource determined by the lead agency, in its discretion and supported by substantial evidence, to be significant pursuant to criteria set forth in PRC Section 5024.1(c). In applying these criteria for the purposes of this paragraph, the lead agency shall consider the significance of the resource to a California Native American Tribe.

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Recognizing that tribes have expertise with regard to their tribal history and practices, AB 52 requires lead agencies to provide notice to tribes that are traditionally and culturally affiliated with the geographic area of a proposed project if they have requested notice of projects proposed within that area. If the tribe requests consultation within 30 days upon receipt of the notice, the lead agency must consult with the tribe regarding the potential for adverse impacts on tribal cultural resources as a result of a project. Consultation may include discussing the type of environmental review necessary, the presence and/or significance of tribal cultural resources, the level of significance of a project’s impacts on the tribal cultural resources, and available project alternatives and mitigation measures recommended by the tribe to avoid or lessen potential impacts on tribal cultural resources.

Passed in 2004, Senate Bill (SB) 18 requires cities and counties to consult with Native American tribes to help protect traditional tribal cultural places as part of a general plan adoption or amendment. Unlike AB 52, SB 18 is not an amendment to, or otherwise associated with, CEQA. Instead, SB 18 requires that, prior to the adoption or amendment of a city or county’s general plan, the city or county must conduct consultations with California Native American tribes for the purpose of preserving specified places, features, and objects that are located within the city or county’s jurisdiction. Under SB 18, cities and counties must notify the appropriate Native American tribe(s) of intended adoption or amendments to general plans and offer the opportunity for the tribe(s) to consult regarding traditional tribal cultural places within the proposed plan area.

The City sent letters to the local Native American contacts identified by the NAHC on March 23, 2022. To date, the City has not received any requests for consultation from local tribes that were notified regarding the proposed project.

Discussion:
e. i-ii. The project site does not contain any known tribal cultural resources that have been listed, or are eligible for listing, in the CRHR, or in a local register of historical resources as defined in PRC Section 5020.1(k). The potential for the existence of buried archaeological materials within the project area is considered low based on the historic physical setting and extent of previous disturbance. In addition, the City provided notification to local tribes regarding the proposed project and received no comments or requests for consultation. Despite the low sensitivity of the site, discovery of unknown subsurface resources during future earthmoving activities associated with future development of the project site is alway s a possibility. Unknown significant subsurface resources, as described in Section 5, Cultural Resources, would be considered significant tribal cultural resources, as well. Standard mitigation has been proposed to ensure impacts to any unknown resources that may be encountered during project development would be avoided and/or minimized; therefore, potential project impacts would be less than significant with mitigation.

Mitigation Measure(s) incorporated into the project:

Implement Mitigation Measures CR-1 and CR-2.

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19. UTILITIES AND SERVICE SYSTEMS
Would the project:

Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant with
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact
No Impact
a. Require or result in the relocation or
construction of new or expanded water,
wastewater treatment or storm water drainage,
electric power, natural gas, or
telecommunications facilities, the construction or
relocation of which could cause significant
environmental effects?
X
b. Have sufficient water supplies available to serve
the project and reasonably foreseeable future
development during normal, dry and multiple dry
years?
X
c. Result in a determination by the wastewater
treatment provider which serves or may serve
the project that it has adequate capacity to
serve the project’s projected demand in addition
to the provider’s existing commitments?
X
d. Generate solid waste in excess of State or local
standards, or in excess of the capacity of local
infrastructure, or otherwise impair the attainment
of solid waste reduction goals?
X
e. Comply with federal, state, and local
management and reduction statutes and
regulations related to solid waste?
X
Setting:

The City operates its own wastewater collection and treatment system. The City’s wastewater collection system consists of eight wastewater basins with associated trunk sewers and one treatment plant. The Department of Utilities is responsible for delivering water, treating wastewater, refuse collection, recycling, operating the Santa Maria Regional Landfill and its Household Hazardous Waste Facility, street sweeping, and regulatory compliance. The Water Resources Operation and Maintenance Section is responsible for supplying residents with potable water for domestic, industrial, and fire protection purposes. Solid Waste Collection and Disposal Services consist of six distinct areas: refuse collection/residential, refuse collection/commercial, landfill disposal operations, street sweeping, recycling operations, and regulatory compliance. PG&E is the primary electricity provider and SoCalGas is the primary natural gas provider for the city.

Discussion:
a. The project site is located in a fully urbanized area with existing utility infrastructure in place. The City provides water, wastewater treatment, and solid waste services to the City of Santa Maria. The project also proposes three stormwater catchment basins to reduce stormwater runoff. Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) provides electricity to the project site. Additionally, natural gas on the project site would be provided by the Southern California Gas Company (SoCal Gas), and telecommunications would be provided by Verizon.

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The existing infrastructure noted above has adequate capacity to support the proposed project.

Therefore, no additional facilities would be required as a result of project implementation and this impact would be less than significant.
f. According to the City’s Urban Water Management Plan (UWMP), the City’s water supply would meet projected water demands through 2045 (City of Santa Maria 2020). The project would account for approximately 14 employees. Since employees for the cemetery district project would likely be from the existing labor pool within the city and surrounding areas, and would not result in additional population within the city, there would be sufficient water supply to meet projected water demands of the proposed project. Therefore, this impact would be less than significant. g. The City Utilities Department owns and operates the wastewater system for the City of Santa Maria.

Currently, the City disposes of all of its treated wastewater through percolation ponds under its Waste Discharge Requirements permit. The City’s wastewater treatment plant was expanded in 2009 and has a current capacity of 13.5 million gallons per day, allowing the City to serve a population of up to 120,000 people. The current population of the city is approximately 107,445 ( DOF 2021). Employees for the cemetery district project would likely be from the existing labor pool within the city and surrounding areas, and would not result in additional population within the city. According to the City’s UWMP, the per capita wastewater generation for the city service area is approximately 68 gallons per day (City of Santa Maria 2020). Based on the projected population in the City and this wastewater generation rate, the City has determined that the existing facilities for wastewater management will continue to be adequate for future wastewater demands. Therefore, this impact would be less than significant. d-e. The City currently disposes of solid waste at the Santa Maria Regional Landfill, located at 2065 East Main Street in Santa Maria. The City has also initiated development of a new landfill—the Santa Maria Integrated Waste Management Facility (Los Flores Ranch Landfill; Facility No. 42-AA-0076), located in the Solomon Hills approximately 8 miles southwest of the c ity and 0.5 mile east of US 101 in an unincorporated portion of Santa Barbara County. The new facility will have a design capacity of approximately 131 million cubic yards of waste with an estimated closure date of 2105. The permit for the new facility is consistent with the Santa Barbara County Integrated Waste Management Plan, which was approved by the California Department of Resource Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) on October 18, 2011, as well as the standards adopted by CalRecycle, pursuant to PRC Section 44010. In addition, the design and planned operation of the facility is consistent with the State Minimum Standards for Solid Waste Handling and Disposal as determined by the enforcement agency based on review of the January 11, 2011, Joint Technical Document, pursuant to PRC Section 44009.

The project would rely on the City’s solid waste collection services and facilities. Based on the existing and projected available capacity, the proposed development would not result in the need for new or expanded solid waste facilities. To the extent possible, all materials used onsite for demonstrations would be recycled and waste would be minimized. Therefore, potential impacts associated with generation of solid waste in excess of local infrastructure capacity and compliance with state and local solid waste regulations would be less than significant.

Mitigation Measure(s) incorporated into the project:

Implementation of the proposed project would not result in potentially significant impacts related to utilities and service systems; therefore, mitigation is not necessary.

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20. WILDFIRE
If located in or near state responsibility areas or
lands classified as very high fire hazard severity
zones, would the project:

Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant with
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact
No Impact
f. Substantially impair an adopted emergency
response plan or emergency evacuation plan? X
g. Due to slope, prevailing winds, and other
factors, exacerbate wildfire risks, and thereby
expose project occupants to pollutant
concentrations from a wildfire or the
uncontrolled spread of a wildfire?
X
h. Require the installation or maintenance of
associated infrastructure (such as roads, fuel
breaks, emergency water sources, power lines
or other utilities) that may exacerbate fire risk or
that may result in temporary or ongoing impacts
to the environment?
X
i. Expose people or structures to significant risks,
including downslope or downstream flooding or
landslides, as a result of runoff, post-fire slope
instability, or drainage changes?
X
Setting:

The project is located in an urban area within Santa Maria. The Integrated Regional Multi-Hazard Emergency Response Plan for the Cities of Santa Maria and Guadalupe was established in order to clearly delineate the planning areas procedures and policies when responding to a major emergency event. This includes any significant threat or potential disaster which could impact the health, safety, and property of the public within the planning area. The objectives of this plan include, but are not limited to, identifying authorities and their respective responsibilities for planning and response activities, establishing the policies for providing emergency information to the public, and describing the resources available to support emergency response activities.

The urbanized areas of Santa Maria are generally protected from most aspects of grassland and brush fires.

However, accumulating weeds along roadsides and in vacant lots make even urban locations potentially hazardous from a wildland fire standpoint. For these reasons, an enforceable weed abatement program was established in 2017 to reduce these risks whenever structures are present.

The California Fire Code provides minimum standards for many aspects of fire prevention and suppression activities. These standards include provisions for emergency vehicle access, water supply, fire protection systems, and the use of fire resistant building materials.

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Discussion:
a. Implementation of the proposed project would not result in a significant temporary or permanent impact on any adopted emergency response plans or emergency evacuation plans. No breaks in utility service or road closures would occur as a result of project implementation; therefore, potential impacts would be less than significant.
b. The project is located within a developed sit e located within an urban area of Santa Maria. Future development of the project site would not substantially change the existing topography of the project site.

Future development would be required to meet all applicable standards for fire prevention within the CBC and California Fire Code, including having adequate access to water for fire protection purposes, provision of fire detection equipment, fire sprinklers, etc. Future development would also be required to comply with the City weed abatement program. Therefore, the project would not exacerbate wildfire risks, and thereby expose project occupants to, pollutant concentrations from a wildfire or the uncontrolled spread of a wildfire, and potential impacts would be less than significant. c. The project would include the installation of new electricity, water, wastewater, stormwater, and natural gas infrastructure and connections to City infrastructure. These proposed infrastructure components would occur within existing developed land and would be required to be installed in full compliance with applicable CBC and California Fire Code regulations; therefore, potential impacts associated with exacerbation of fire risk from installation of new infrastructure would be less than significant. d. The project site is generally flat and would not be located near a hillslope or in an area subject to downstream flooding or landslides. The project does not include any design elements that would expose people or structures to significant risks, including downslope or downstream flooding or landslides, as a result of runoff, post-fire slope instability, or drainage changes. Therefore, impacts would be less than significant.

Mitigation Measure(s) incorporated into the project:

Implementation of the proposed project would not result in potentially significant impacts related to wildfire; therefore, mitigation is not necessary.

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CONSULTATION AND DATA SOURCES

CONSULTATION SOURCES
City Departments Consulted
Administrative Services
Attorney
X Fire
Library
City Manager
Police
X Public Works
X Utilities
X Recreation and Parks

County Agencies/Departments Consulted
X Air Pollution Control District
Association of Governments
Flood Control District
X Environmental Health
Fire (Hazardous Materials)
LAFCO
Public Works
Planning and Development
Other (list)

Special Districts Consulted
Santa Maria Public Airport
Airport Land Use Commission
X Cemetery
Santa-Maria Bonita School District
Santa Maria Joint Union High School
Laguna County Sanitation District
Cal Cities Water Company

State/Federal Agencies Consulted
Army Corps of Engineers
Caltrans
CA Fish and Game
Federal Fish and Wildlife
FAA
Regional Water Quality Control Bd.

Integrated Waste Management Bd.

Other (list)

DATA SOURCES
General Plan
X Land Use Element
X Circulation Element
X Safety Element
X Noise Element
Housing Element
X Resources Management Element

Other
X Agricultural Preserve Maps
X Archaeological Maps/Reports
Architectural Elevations
Biology Reports
X CA Oil and Gas Maps
X FEMA Maps (Flood)
Grading Plans
X Site Plan
Topographic Maps
X Aerial Photos
Traffic Studies
X Trip Generation Manual (ITE)
URBEMIS Air Quality Model
X Zoning Maps
X Other (list)
Site Investigation Report dated September 15, 2021,
Buena Resources, Inc.

Remedial Action Plan (RAP) for Community #1 Well
Site dated September 17, 2021, Marissa Censullo,
Hazardous Materials Specialist, Santa Barbara
County Public Health Department.

Santa Maria Cemetery GPA, Rezone, and Planned Development Permit April 17, 2023 GPZ2021-0003 & PD2022-0014 Environmental Checklist

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OTHER SOURCES CONSULTED:

California Air Resources Board (CARB). 2016a. Ambient Air Quality Standards. May 4, 2016. Available at:
http://www.arb.ca.gov/research/aaqs/aaqs2.pdf. Accessed on July 18, 2022.

California Air Resources Board (CARB). 2016b. Area Designation Maps / State and National. October 2020.

Available at: http://www.arb.ca.gov/desig/adm/adm.htm. Accessed on July 18, 2022.

California Department of Conservation (DOC). 2010. Fault Activity Map of California (2010). Available at:
http://maps.conservation.ca.gov/cgs/fam/. Accessed on July 18, 2022.

California Department of Conservation (DOC). 2016. Farmland Mapping and Monitoring Program. Available at: https://maps.conservation.ca.gov/DLRP/CIFF/. Accessed on July 18, 2022.

California Department of Conservation (DOC). 2021. Santa Barbara County Tsunami Inundation Maps.

Available at: http://www.conservation.ca.gov/cgs/Pages/Tsunami/Maps/SantaBarbara.aspx.

Accessed on July 18, 2022.

California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW). 2018. California Essential Habitat Connectivity Project: A Strategy for Conserving a Connected California. Available at:
https://www.wildlife.ca.gov/conservation/planning/connectivity/CEHC. Accessed on July 18, 2022.

California Department of Toxic Substance Control (DTCS). 2023. EnviroStor. Available at:
https://www.envirostor.dtsc.ca.gov/public/. Accessed on April 3, 2023.

California Department of Transportation (Caltrans). 2022. California Scenic Highway Mapping System.

Available at: https://dot.ca.gov/programs/design/lap-landscape-architecture-and-community- livability/lap-liv-i-scenic-highways. Accessed on July 18, 2022.

California Department of Water Resources (DWR). 2019. SGMA Basin Prioritization Dashboard. Available at:
https://https://gis.water.ca.gov/app/bp-dashboard/final/#. Accessed on April 3, 2023.

California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA). 2023. Cortese List Data Resources. Available at:
https://calepa.ca.gov/sitecleanup/corteselist/. Accessed on April 3, 2023.

California State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB). 2023. GeoTracker. Available at:
https://geotracker.waterboards.ca.gov/. Accessed on April 10, 2023.

City of Santa Maria. 2019. Zoning Ordinance/Map. Available at:
https://www.cityofsantamaria.org/home/showpublisheddocument/10037/636837414217430000.

Accessed on July 18, 2022.

City of Santa Maria. 2014b. City of Santa Maria Sewer System Management Plan. July 2009, 1st revised April 2014,.2nd revision September 2020 Available at:
https://www.cityofsantamaria.org/home/showpublisheddocument/27630/637442405428800000.

Accessed on April 3, 2023.

City of Santa Maria. 2021. 2020 Urban Water Management Plan. June 2021. Available at:
https://www.cityofsantamaria.org/home/showpublisheddocument/28900/637613361539900000.

Accessed on April 3, 2023.

City of Santa Maria. 2022. Santa Maria Municipal Code. Available at:
https://library.qcode.us/lib/santa_maria_ca/pub/municipal_code. Accessed on July 19, 2022.

City of Santa Maria. 2020. City of Santa Maria Environmental Procedures and Guidelines. Available at:
https://www.cityofsantamaria.org/home/showpublisheddocument/6941/637481268778030000.

Accessed on April 3, 2023.

Diblee, T. W. 1994. Geologic Map of the Santa Maria and Twitchell Dam Quadrangles. Available at:
https://ngmdb.usgs.gov/Prodesc/proddesc_71688.htm. Accessed on October 22, 2019.

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). 2023. FEMA Flood Map Service Center. Available at:
https://msc.fema.gov/portal/home. Accessed on April 3, 2023.

Santa Maria Cemetery GPA, Rezone, and Planned Development Permit April 17, 2023 GPZ2021-0003 & PD2022-0014 Environmental Checklist

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Luhdorff and Scalmaninin Consulting Engineers. 2017 Annual Report of Hydrogeologic Conditions, Water Requirements, Supplies and Disposition – Santa Maria Valley Management Area. April 2018.

Available at: https://www.cityofsantamaria.org/home/showdocument?id=24051. Accessed on October 29, 2019.

Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E). 2023. Delivering Low-Emission Energy. Available at:
https://www.pge.com/en_US/about-pge/environment/what-we-are-doing/clean-energy- solutions/clean-energy-solutions.page. Accessed on April 3, 2023.

Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District (SBCAPCD). 2022. Scope and Content of Air Quality Sections in Environmental Documents. January 2022 Limited Update. Available at:
https://www.ourair.org/wp-content/uploads/ScopeContentJanuary2022-LimitedUpdates.pdf.

Accessed on March 27, 2023.

Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District (SBCAPCD). 2022. 2022 Ozone Plan. Available at:
https://www.ourair.org/wp-content/uploads/2022-Ozone-Plan.pdf. Accessed on March 27, 2023.

Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG). 2012. Regional Growth Forecast 2010-2040.

Available at: http://www.sbcag.org/uploads/2/4/5/4/24540302/regional_growth_forecast_2010- 2040.pdf. Accessed on April 3, 2023.

Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG). 2023. Santa Maria Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan. Available at:
http://www.sbcag.org/uploads/2/4/5/4/24540302/smx_alucp_v2_final.pdf. Accessed on April 3, 2023.

Santa Barbara County Airport Land Use Commission. 1993. Santa Barbara County Airport Land Use Plan.

Available at:
http://www.sbcag.org/uploads/2/4/5/4/24540302/airport_land_use_plan_reprinted_october_1993.pdf.

Accessed October 29, 2019.

SoCalGas. 2023. SoCalGas Leading Through Sustainability. Available at https://www.socalgas.com/sustainability/leading-through-sustainability. Accessed April 3, 2023.

U.S. Department of Agricultural, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). 2019. Web Soil Survey.

Available at: http://websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov/app/. Accessed on April 3, 2023.

U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Railroad Administration. 2004. California High-Speed Train Program Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement: Paleontological Resources Technical Evaluation. Available at: http://www.hsr.ca.gov/docs/programs/eir- eis/statewide_EIR_BayMerc_techrpt_Paleo.pdf. Accessed on October 29, 2019.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 2018. National Wetlands Inventory (Wetlands Mapper). Accessed on https://www.fws.gov/wetlands/. Accessed on October 10, 2019.

Woodring, W.P. and Bramlette, M.N. 1950. Geology and Paleontology of the Santa Maria District California, Geological Survey Professional Paper 222. Available at: <https://pubs.usgs.gov/pp/0222/report.pdf> Accessed on: July 19, 2022.

Santa Maria Cemetery GPA, Rezone, and Planned Development Permit April 17, 2023 GPZ2021-0003 & PD2022-0014 Environmental Checklist

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MANDATORY FINDINGS OF SIGNIFICANCE

Potentially
Significant Impact
Less Than
Significant with
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant Impact
No Impact

1. Does the project have the potential to substantially degrade the quality of the environment, substantially
reduce the habitat of a fish or wildlife species, cause a fish or wildlife population to drop below self-sustaining levels, threaten to eliminate a plant or animal
community, substantially reduce the number or restrict
the range of a rare or endangered plant or animal or
eliminate important examples of the major periods of
California history or prehistory?
X

2. Does the project have impacts that are individually
limited, but cumulatively considerable? (“Cumulatively
considerable” means that the incremental effects of a
project are considerable when viewed in connection
with the effects of past projects, the effects of other current projects, and the effects of probable future
projects.)
X

3. Does the project have environmental effects which
will cause substantial adverse effects on human
beings, either directly or indirectly?
X
Discussion:

Proposed development of the land uses permitted under the proposed PF zoning designation within the project site have the potential to result in temporary impacts to air quality, cultural resources, hazards and hazardous materials, noise, and tribal cultural resources. However, mitigation measures have been identified to reduce potential impacts to a less-than-significant level, including but not limited to, fugitive dust controls, diesel-idling minimization, inadvertent discovery of archaeological and paleontological resources protocol, preparation of a Phase 1 ISA, and noise control measures. Implementation of Mitigation measure CR-1 would reduce potential impacts associated with elimination of important examples of major periods of California prehistory to less than significant.

When project impacts are considered along or in combination with other reasonably foreseeable impacts, the project’s potential cumulative impacts may be significant. Mitigation measures have been incorporated into the project to reduce project-related impacts to a less-than-significant level. Based on implementation of identified project-specific mitigation measures and the relatively limited number and extent of potential impacts, the cumulative effects of the proposed project would not be cumulatively considerable and would be less than significant.

With incorporation of mitigation measures identified in this Initial Study, potential environmental effects of the project would not directly or indirectly result in any substantial adverse effects on human beings and this impact would be less than significant.

Santa Maria Cemetery GPA, Rezone, and Planned Development Permit April 17, 2023 GPZ2021-0003 & PD2022-0014 Environmental Checklist

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SUMMARY OF POTENTIALLY SIGNIFICANT IMPACTS
Aesthetics Mineral Resources
Agriculture and Forest Resources X Noise
X Air Quality Population and Housing
Biological Resources Public Services
X Cultural Resources Recreation
Energy Transportation
X Geology and Soils X Tribal Cultural Resources
Greenhouse Gas Emissions Utilities and Services Systems X Hazards and Hazardous Materials Wildfire
Hydrology and Water Quality X Mandatory Findings of Significance Land Use and Planning

DETERMINATION
On the basis of the lnitial Study, the staff of the Community Development Department:

Finds that the proposed project is a Class _ GATEGORICAL EXEMPTION and no further environmental review is required.

Finds that the proposed project COULD NOT have a significant effect on the environment, and a NEGATIVE DECLARATION will be prepared.

Finds that although the proposed project could have a significant effect on the environment, there will not be a significant effect in this case because revisions in the project have been made by or agreed to by the project proponent. A MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION will be prepared.

Finds that the proposed project MAY have a significant effect on the environment, and an ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT is required.

Finds that the proposed project MAY have a "potentially significant impact" or "potentially significant unless mitigated" impact on the environment, but at least one effect 1) has been adequately analyzed in an earlier document pursuant to acceptable standards, and 2) has been addressed by mitigation measures based on the earlier analysis as described on the attached sheets. An ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT (EIR/SUBSEQUENT EIR/SUPPLEMENTAL EIR/ADDENDUM is required, but it must analyze only the effects that remain to be addressed.

Finds that although the proposed project could have a significant effect on the environment, because all significant effects (a) have been analyzed adequately in an earlier EIR or NEGATIVE DECLARATION pursuant to acceptable standards, and (b) have been avoided or mitigated pursuant to that earlier EIR or NEGATIVE DECLARATION, including revisions or mitigation measures that are imposed upon the proposed project, nothing further is required.

CarolZiese ne
Environmental Analyst
r.l tt 4 ,/tt /2" zz
Date
Gity of Santa Maria
Community Development Department
110 South Pine Street, #101
Santa Maria, CA 931158
805-925-0951
Chuen Wu
Environmental Officer
Santa Maria Cemetery GPA, Rezone, and Planned Development Permit GPZ2021 -0003 & PD2022-OO1 4

Page 67 ends

April 17,2023
Environmental Checklist

Gavin Newsom, Governor
David Shabazian, Director

May 9, 2023

VIA EMAIL

Ms. Carol Ziesenhenne
Senior Planner
City of Santa Maria
110 Pine Street, Suite 101
Santa Maria, CA 93454
[email protected]

Dear Ms. Ziesenhenne:

SANTA MARIA CEMETRY GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT

The California Geologic Energy Management Division (Division) appreciates the opportunity to submit comments on the project referenced above (Project).

The Division has previously commented on this project and our recommendations remain the same. Please find the September 03, 2021 letter addressed to Mr. Ron Jacobs attached.

As discussed in a phone call and email, an incorrect APN was referenced in the City documents, but all maps, figures, coordinates and address are correct in the documents.

The correct APN for the project is 128-076-032.

Thank you for considering the Division’s comments. If you have any questions, please contact our District office at (805) 937-7246 or via email at
[email protected]
Sincerely,

Trey Powell
Senior Oil and Gas Engineer
Signature on behalf of
Miguel Cabrera
Northern District Deputy
Enclosure
ZN:ji:kv
cc: Chrono, CSWR 1012302
State of California Natural Resources Agency | Department of Conservation Northern District
Orcutt Office and Mail: 195 S. Broadway, Suite 101, Orcutt, CA 93455 | T: (805) 937-7246 | F: (805) 937-0673 Sacramento Office and Mail: 715 P Street, MS 1803, Sacramento, CA 95814 | T: (916) 322-1110 | F: (916) 445-3319 Ventura Office: 1000 S. Hill Road, Suite 116, Ventura, CA 93003 | T: (805) 937-7246 | F: (805) 654-4765 Ventura Mail: 195 S. Broadway, Suite 101, Orcutt, CA 93455 conservation.ca.gov
DocuSign Envelope ID: B7F52F1F-F45D-4F5E-8262-F66F48703B86

Page 1 ends

DocuSign Envelope ID: 49C738B5-3965-4EDD-85F9-B8280AAF7AFA DocuSign Envelope ID: 49C738B5-3965-4EDD-85F9-

09/03/2021

Ron Jacobs
1501 South College Drive, Santa Maria, CA 93455, USA
[email protected]

Construction Site Well Review (CSWR) ID: 1012302
Assessor Parcel Number(s): 128076032
Property Owner(s): Ron Jacobs

Project Location Address: Newlove Dr. California 93454

Project Title: Cemetery District Expansion APN 128076032 Community #1 Well

Public Resources Code (PRC) § 3208.1 establishes well reabandonment responsibility when a previously plugged and abandoned well will be impacted by planned property development or construction activities. Local permitting agencies, property owners, and/or developers should be aware of, and fully understand, that significant and potentially dangerous issues may be ass ociated with development near oil, gas, and geothermal wells.

The California Geologic Energy Mangagement Division (CalGEM) has received and reviewed the above referenced project dated 8/31/2021. To assist local permitting agencies, property owners, and developers in making wise land use decisions regarding potential development near oil, gas, or geothermal wells, the Division provides the following well evaluation.

The project is located in Santa Barbara County, within the boundaries of the following fields:

Santa Maria Valley
Our records indicate there are 1 known oil or gas wells located within the project boundary as identified in the application.
• Number of wells Not Abandoned to Current Division Requirements as Prescribed by Law and DocuSign Envelope ID: B7F52F1F-F45D-4F5E-8262-F66F48703B86A DocuSign Envelope ID: 49C738B5-3965-4EDD-85F9-B8280AAF7AFA DocuSign Envelope ID: 49C738B5-3965-4EDD-85F9-B8280AAF7AF DocuSign Envelope ID: B7F52F1F-F45D-4F5E-8262-F66F48703B86A

Page 2 ends

Projected to Be Built Over or Have Future Access Impeded by this project: 1

• Number of wells Not Abandoned to Current Division Requirements as Prescribed by Law and Not Projected to Be Built Over or Have Future Access Impeded by this project: 0

• Number of wells Abandoned to Current Division Requirements as Prescribed by Law and Projected to Be Built Over or Have Future Access Impeded by this project: 0

• Number of wells Abandoned to Current Division Requirements as Prescribed by Law and Not Projected to Be Built Over or Have Future Access Impeded by this project: 0

The Division categorically advices against building over, or in any way impeding access to, oil, gas, or geothermal wells. Impeding access to a well could result in the need to remove any structure or obstacle that prevents or impedes access including, but not limited to, buildings, housing, fencing, landscaping, trees, pools, patios, sidewalks, roadways, and decking. Maintaining sufficient access is considered the ability for a well servicing unit and associated necessary equipment to reach a well from a public street or access way, solely over the parcel on which the well is located. A well servicing unit, and any necessary equipment, should be able to pass unimpeded along and over the route, and should be able to access the well without disturbing the integrity of surrounding infrastructure.

There are no guarantees a well abandoned in compliance with current Division requirements as prescribed by law will not start leaking in the future. It always remains a possibility that any well may start to leak o il, gas, and/or water after abandonment, no matter how thoroughly the well was plugged and abandoned. The Division acknowledges wells plugged and abandoned to the most current Division requirements as prescribed by law have a lower probability of leaking i n the future, however there is no guarantees that such abandonments will not leak.

The Division advises that all wells identified on the development parcel prior to, or during, development activities be tested for liquid and gas leakage. Surveyed locations should be provided to the Division in Latitude and Longitude, NAD 83 decimal format. The Division expects any wells found leaking to be reported to it immediately.

Failure to plug and reabandon the well may result in enforcement action, including an order to perform reabandonment well work, pursuant to PRC § 3208.1, and 3224.

PRC § 3208.1 give the Division the authority to order or permit the re- abandonment of any well where it has reason to question the integrity of the previous abandonment, or if the well is not accessible or visible. Responsibility for re -abandonment costs may be af fected by the choices made by the local permitting agency, property owner, and/or developer in considering the general advice set forth in this DocuSign Envelope ID: 49C738B5-3965-4EDD-85F9-B8280AAF7AFA DocuSign Envelope ID: 49C738B5-3965-4EDD-85F9-B8280AAF7AF DocuSign Envelope ID: B7F52F1F-F45D-4F5E-8262-F66F48703B86A

Page 3 ends

letter. The PRC continues to define the person or entity responsible for reabandonment as:

1. The property owner - If the well was plugged and abandoned in conformance with Division requirements at the time of abandonment, and in its current condition does not pose an immediate danger to life, health, and property, but requires additional work solely because the owner of the property on which the well is located proposes construction on the property that would prevent or impede access to the well for purposes of remedying a currently perceived future problem, then the owner of the property on which the well is located shall obtain all rights necessary to reabandon the well and be responsible for the reabandonment.

2. The person or entity causing construction over or near the well - If the well was plugged and abandoned in conformance with Division requirements at the time of plugging and abandonment, and the property owner, developer, or local agency permitting the construction failed either to obtain an opinion from the supervisor or district deputy as to whether the previously abandoned well is required to be reabandoned, or to follow the advice of the supervisor or district deputy not to undertake the construction, t hen the person or entity causing the construction over or near the well shall obtain all rights necessary to reabandon the well and be responsible for thereabandonment.

3. The party or parties responsible for disturbing the integrity of the abandonment - If the well was plugged and abandoned in conformance with Division requirements at the time of plugging and abandonment, and after that time someone other than the operator or an affiliate of the operator disturbed the integrity of the abandonment in the course of developing the property, then the party or parties responsible for disturbing the integrity of the abandonment shall be responsible for the reabandonment.

No well work may be performed on any oil, gas, or geothermal well without written approval from the Division. Well work requiring approval includes, but is not limited to, mitigating leaking gas or other fluids from abandoned wells, modifications to well casings, and/or any other re- abandonment work. The Division also regulates the top of a plugged and abandoned well's minimum and maximum depth below final grade. CCR §1723.5 states well casings shall be cut off at least 5 feet but no more than 10 feet below grade. If any well needs to be lowered or raised (i.e. casing cut down or casing riser added) to meet this regulation, a permit from the Division is required before work can start.

The Division makes the following additional recommendations to the local permitting agency, property owner, and developer:

1. To ensure that present and future property owners are aware of (a) the existence of all wells located on the property, and (b) potentially significant issues associated with any improvements near oil or gas wells, the Division recommends that information regarding the above identified DocuSign Envelope ID: 49C738B5-3965-4EDD-85F9-B8280AAF7AFA DocuSign Envelope ID: 49C738B5-3965-4EDD-85F9-B8280AAF7AF DocuSign Envelope ID: B7F52F1F-F45D-4F5E-8262-F66F48703B86A

well(s), and any other pertinent information obtained after the issuance of this letter, be communicated to the appropriate county recorder for inclusion in the title information of the subject real property.

2. The Division recommends that any soil containing hydrocarbons be disposed of in accordance with local, state, and federal laws. Please notify the appropriate authorities if soil containing significant amounts of hydrocarbons is discovered during development.

As indicated in PRC § 3106, the Division has statutory authority over the drilling, operation, maintenance, and abandonment of oil, gas, and geothermal wells, and attendant facilities, to prevent, as far as possible, damage to life, health, p roperty, and natural resources; damage to underground oil, gas, and geothermal deposits; and damage to underground and surface waters suitable for irrigation or domestic purposes. In addition to the Division's authority to order work on wells pursuant to P RC §§ 3208.1 and 3224, it has authority to issue civil and criminal penalties under PRC §§ 3236, 3236.5, and 3359 for violations within the Division's jurisdictional authority. The Division does not regulate grading, excavations, or other land use issues.

Aerial photography of the site from 1938 indicates two derricks, typically used for the drilling of oil wells, and a possible sump related to oilfield activities. One of the derricks appears to correspond to "Community" 1 (API 083- 03018). The Division has no well records for the second derrick observed in the aerial photograph. The Division recommends that a diligent effort be made investigating the site to verify whether or not there is a second well on the parcel associated with the second derrick. If during investigation or development activities, any wells are encountered that were not part of this review, the property owner is expected to immediately notify the Division's construction site well review engineer in the Coastal district office, and file for Division review an amended site plan with well casing diagrams. The District office will send a follow-up well evaluation letter to the property owner and local permitting agency.

Should you have any questions, please contact me at (562) 637- 4400 or via email at [email protected].

Sincerely,

Uduak-Joe Ntuk
State Oil and Gas Supervisor

cc: Dan Ringstmeyer - Consultant
cc: Frank Albro Jr. - Plan Checker

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DocuSign Envelope ID: 49C738B5-3965-4EDD-85F9-B8280AAF7AFA DocuSign Envelope ID: 49C738B5-3965-4EDD-85F9-B8280AAF7AF DocuSign Envelope ID: B7F52F1F-F45D-4F5E-8262-F66F48703B86A

Wells Not Abandoned to Current Division Requirements as Prescribed by Law & Projected to be Built Over or Have Future Access Impeded

The wells listed below are not abandoned to current Division requirements as prescribed by law, and based upon information provided, are projected to be built over or have future access impeded. The Division expects these wells to be reabandoned in complia nce with current California law, prior to development activities.

API Well Designation Operator Well Evaluations
0408303018 Community 1 T. F. Woodward 1. Hole fluid is not to current standards. There
is no documentation in
the abandonment history
of mud fluid being
placed across all
intervals not plugged
with cement. (CCR §
1723.(b)).

2. Hydrocarbon zone
plug is not to current
standards (CCR §
1723.1).

3. Freshwater protection
plug is not present (CCR
§ 1723.2).

4. Surface plug is not to
current standards (CCR
§ 1723.5).

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Santa Maria City CouncilNovember 7, 2023

Santa Maria City Council
November 7, 2023