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EXHIBIT I GUIDELINES AND PROCEDURES FOR IMPLEMENTING THE PROVISIONS OF THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT FOR PROJECTS IN THE CITY OF PALMDALE SECTION 1 PURPOSE These Guidelines and Procedures (“Guidelines”) are adopted to implement the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”), Public Resources Code Section 21000 et seq., and the State CEQA Guidelines (“State Guidelines”), Title 14 California Code of Regulations Section 15000 et seq., and may be referred to as the Palmdale CEQA Procedures. SECTION 2 RELATIONSHIP TO STATE GUIDELINES The State Guidelines are hereby incorporated by reference. These Guidelines are not meant to replace the State Guidelines but to implement, supplement and tailor the general provisions of the State Guidelines to the specific operations of the City of Palmdale and the Housing Authority of the City of Palmdale (individually and collectively “Public Agency”). The City Council and Housing Authority Board are the governing boards of the Public Agencies and are hereinafter referred to individually and collectively as “Governing Board.” The Public Agency may administer its responsibilities under CEQA in any manner which meets the requirements of CEQA, notwithstanding the specific procedures and provisions set forth in these Guidelines; provided, however, that when such procedures and provision are not followed, the Governing Body, shall, by minute action, find that extraordinary circumstances exist and that such procedures and provisions are waived. The Governing Board shall be the only CEQA decision-making body as specified in these Guidelines with the ability to waive the procedures and provisions contained herein. If any Sections of these Guidelines are in conflict with or contrary to any provision of the State Guidelines as they now exist or may be amended hereafter, the State Guidelines shall control. SECTION 3 DEFINITIONS The definitions set forth in the Public Resources Code section 21060 et. seq. and the State Guidelines shall govern and are the applicable definitions except as modified and/or supplemented herein. Advisory Body - The person, committee, or commission, which has authority by law or ordinance to comment upon or give an advisory decision on the Project at issue. For the Public Agencies the Advisory Body may include but is not limited to Director and City Planning Commission. CEQA Document – The CEQA Document prepared for a particular Project which can include but is not limited to Notice of Exemption, Negative Declaration, Mitigated Negative Declaration, and Environmental Impact Report. ---PAGE BREAK--- 2 City - The City of Palmdale, a California charter city and municipal code. City Planning Commission – The Governing Body and Advisory Board to the Public Agencies created pursuant to the Chapter 2.46 of the Palmdale Municipal Code and governed by Title 17 of the Palmdale Municipal Code. Decision-Making Body – The person, commission, or council which has the authority by law or ordinance to make a final decision to approve or disapprove the Project at issue. For the Public Agencies the Decision-Making Body, depending on the CEQA document, are the Director, City Planning Commission, and Governing Body. Department – The department in the City that is carrying out a Project. Director – The director of the department in the City, or his/her designee, responsible for CEQA functions on a particular Project. Governing Body – The final Decision-Making Body for the Public Agencies. For the City it is the Director, Planning Commission and City Council. For the Housing Authority it is the Director, Planning Commission and Housing Authority Board. Housing Authority – The Housing Authority of the City of Palmdale created in 1997 by Resolution No. 97-062. Lead Agency – The Department responsible for preparing the CEQA document for the Project. Project – Any action as defined by State Guidelines §15378. Public Agency – Includes any state agency, board, or commission and any local or regional agency, as defined in these Guidelines. As used in these Guidelines, Public Agency in the capitalized terms means the City of Palmdale and the Housing Authority of the City of Palmdale, as applicable, and their respective council and boards, acting as the Lead Agency for a Project. It does not include the courts of the state nor agencies of the federal government. SECTION 4 RESPONSIBILITY OF DEPARTMENTS AND DEPARTMENT DIRECTORS A. Private Projects. For all private Projects the Planning Division of the Economic & Community Development Department (“Planning Division”) shall be responsible for the handling and processing of all CEQA Documents as follows: 1. Prepare the CEQA documents or retain, at the applicants expense, outside consultants to prepare the CEQA document. 2. Upon completion of the CEQA Document submit to the appropriate Decision-Making Body. ---PAGE BREAK--- 3 B. Public Agency Projects. Each Department shall each be responsible for the preparation, review and/or processing of CEQA Documents as follows: 1. The Directors of the Department for which a Project is undertaken shall: a. Conduct the environmental review process in conjunction with these Guidelines, including the preparation of the CEQA Documents; or, b. Retain the services of an outside consultant to perform the environmental review, subject to these Guidelines. 2. Upon completion of the CEQA Document submit to the appropriate Decision-Making Body. SECTION 5 INITIAL PROCESS A. Purpose. The CEQA process is an informational process involving a series of procedural and substantive steps to determine if CEQA applies to a given activity, and if CEQA applies, to identify potential environmental impacts and methods of mitigating such impacts. B. Steps. 1. Determine if an activity, proposal, or action meets the definition of a “Project” pursuant to CEQA (Guidelines §15378). If it does not meet the definition of a Project no further action under CEQA is required. 2. If the activity is a Project, determine if the Project is either statutorily or categorically exempt from further CEQA review. 3. If the Project is exempt, no further CEQA review is required and a Notice of Exemption is prepared and filed pursuant to State Guidelines (Guidelines §15062). 4. If a Project is not exempt then an Initial Study shall be prepared to describe and evaluate the potential environmental impacts of the Project. 5. The Initial Study will lead to either the preparation of a Negative Declaration, a Mitigated Negative Declaration, or an Environmental Impact Report. SECTION 6. EXEMPTIONS A. Exemptions Generally. Projects that are ministerial in nature, meet general rule findings, are statutorily exempt, are categorically exempt, or are denied do not require the preparation of an Initial Study, an Environmental Impact Report, a Mitigated Negative Declaration or a Negative Declaration. ---PAGE BREAK--- 4 B. Ministerial Projects. A ministerial project involves little or no personal judgement by the Public Agency and involves only the use of fixed standards or objective measurements and no personal, subjective judgement can be used in deciding if a project can be carried out (State CEQA Guidelines §15269). Appendix A contains the list of projects in the City that the Governing Body has found to be ministerial in nature. However, when a project involves elements, some of which are ministerial in nature and some of which are discretionary, the overall project will be deemed discretionary and subject to CEQA review. C. General Rule. CEQA does not apply to a project where it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity may have a significant effect on the environment (State Guidelines §15061(b)(3)). D. Statutory Exemptions. Those exemptions granted by the State legislature and are listed in State Guidelines 15260 through 15285, as may be amended from time to time. E. Categorical Exemptions. Those classes of projects which the State Guidelines have determined typically do not have a significant impact on the environment (State Guidelines 15300-15333). In addition, pursuant to § 15300.4 of the State Guidelines, the Public Agency hereby adds the activities and permits listed in Appendix B to the list of Class Numbers 1, 3, 4, and 5 activities that are categorically exempt in the City. F. Categorical Exemption Limitation. A categorical exemption shall not be used if the conditions in State Guidelines Section 15300.2 apply. G. Notice of Exemption. If a project is exempt under one of the categories listed above, then a Notice of Exemption may be filed following the procedures and requirements of State Guidelines § 15062 as follows: 1. The Notice shall include a brief description of the project, the location of the project, a finding that the project is exempt citing to the sections or statutes of the exemptions and the justifications for the exemptions, the applicant’s name and the identity of the person undertaking the project. 2. The Notice shall be filled with the County Clerk, after approval of the project 3. If the project is not subject to CEQA under State Guidelines § 15193 (agricultural housing exemption), § 15194 (affordable housing exemption) or § 15195 (residential infill exemption) the Notice shall be filed with the State Clearinghouse and shall identify which one of these sections the exemption is claimed. SECTION 7. INITIAL STUDIES A. Determination that an Initial Study should be Prepared. If a Project is subject to the requirements of CEQA and not exempt by the State Guidelines, the Director shall initiate an Initial Study to determine if the Project may have a significant effect on the environment. If the Director determines that an Environmental Impact Report will be ---PAGE BREAK--- 5 required for the Project, an Initial Study is not required but may still be made if determined to be desirable. If it is determined that an Initial Study is required for a Project, all phases of Project planning, implementation, and operation shall be considered. An Initial Study or similar analysis prepared pursuant to NEPA may be used to meet the requirements of this Section. B. Elements. The elements of an Initial Study shall follow Appendix G of the State Guidelines. C. Results of Initial Study. The Initial Study shall be used to provide a written determination of whether a Negative Declaration, Mitigated Negative Declaration or an Environmental Impact Report shall be prepared for a Project. SECTION 8 NEGATIVE DECLARATIONS OR MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATIONS A. Determination to Prepare a Negative Declaration or Mitigated Negative Declaration. The Director shall direct the preparation of a Negative Declaration or Mitigated Negative Declaration for a Project based on the following circumstances. 1. Negative Declaration. The Initial Study, in light of the whole record, shows there is no substantial evidence that the Project may have a significant effect on the environment. 2. Mitigated Negative Declaration. The Initial Study identified potentially significant effects but revisions in the Project plans or proposals made by or agreed to by the applicant before the proposed Mitigated Negative Declaration is released for public review would avoid or mitigate the effects to a point where clearly no significant effects would occur, and there is no substantial evidence before the Director that the Project as revised may have a significant effect on the environment. B. Procedures. A Negative Declaration or Mitigated Negative Declaration shall follow the State Guidelines as to required content (State Guidelines §15071). C. State Clearinghouse Involvement. The State Clearinghouse shall receive notice and be involved as set forth below, if one or more state agencies will be a responsible or trustee agency or will exercise jurisdiction over a natural resource affected by the project, or where the project is of statewide, regional, or areawide environmental significance. D. Notice of Intent to Adopt. Prior to the adoption of a Negative Declaration or Mitigated Negative Declaration, a Notice of Intent to Adopt shall be filed pursuant to State Guidelines §15072. The Notice shall be mailed to responsible agencies, trustee agencies and to those organizations and individuals who have requested, in writing, to receive such notice. In addition, the Notice shall also be given pursuant to § 17.20.020 of the Palmdale Municipal Code for projects requiring a public hearing and in one of the following manners for projects subject to administrative review: 1. Posting the notice on and off the site in the area where the project is located. ---PAGE BREAK--- 6 2. Direct mailing to the owners and occupants of property contiguous to the project. The owners are identified by the latest equalized assessment roll. In addition, the Notice shall be filed with the County Clerk. For a project of statewide, regional or areawide significance, notice is provided to transportation planning agencies and public agencies which have transportation facilities within the jurisdiction which could be affected by the project. Public transit agencies with facilities within one-half mile of the project should also receive notice. If the Public Agency has received a written notification by the U.S. Department of Defense or any branch of the U.S. Armed forces of the specific boundaries of a low-level flight path, military impact zone, or special use airspace and they have provided the lead agency with the military contact office and address, then that military office shall be included in the list of organizations to receive notice (State Guideline §15190.5). E. Public Review. For projects that do not require submittal to the State Clearinghouse, there is a minimum of 20-day public review and comment period. If submitted to the State Clearinghouse, then there is a minimum of 30-day public review and comment period (State Guidelines § 15073). F. Adoption of a Negative Declaration or Mitigated Negative Declaration. Prior to approval of a Project, the applicable Decision-Making Body shall consider the draft Negative Declaration or draft Mitigated Negative Declaration together with any comments received during the public review process. After review by the applicable Decision- Making Body, the Project and the draft Negative Declaration or draft Mitigated Negative Declaration, and any recommendation thereto, may be adopted, approved or disapproved. G. Public Agency Projects. For all Public Agency Projects if the Project involves a land use entitlement as defined in Title 17 of the Palmdale Municipal Code, then that process shall be the same as for a private project. If no land use entitlement is required, then only the City Council/Housing Authority Board may adopt a Negative Declaration or a Mitigated Negative Declaration. H. Mitigation Monitoring Program/Plan. In conjunction with adoption of a Mitigated Negative Declaration, the Decision-Making Body shall adopt a program of monitoring to ensure that the required mitigation measures are implemented (State Guidelines § 15074). I. Notice of Determination. Within five working days after the Decision-Making Body has made a decision to carry out or approve a Project, the Public Agency shall prepare and file a Notice of Determination pursuant to State Guidelines § 15075. J. Federal Projects - For Projects where federal involvement might require the preparation of a finding of no significant effect, the State Guidelines shall be followed in addition to the procedures set forth in this Section. ---PAGE BREAK--- 7 SECTION 9 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORTS A. Significant Impacts. When the Director determines that a Project may have a significant impact on the environment, the Director shall direct the preparation of an Environmental Impact Report for the Project. The Project applicant shall provide any information requested for the preparation of an Environmental Impact Report. In connection with the preparation of an Environmental Impact Report, the procedures contained in this Section and the State Guidelines shall be followed (§§15120 – 15132). B. Preparation of an Environmental Impact Report 1. One of the following methods or a combination of them may be used for preparing an Environmental Impact Report: a. Contracting with another entity, public or private, to prepare the Environmental Impact Report. b. Accepting an Environmental Impact Report prepared by a consultant, and paid by the applicant, or any other person. c. Using a previously prepared Environmental Impact Report. 2. The Environmental Impact Report shall be reviewed and analyzed by the Department before it is sent out for public review to ensure its accuracy, objectivity and completeness. The Environmental Impact Report shall also reflect the independent judgment of the Public Agency. 3. The Department may require the applicant to supply data, technical studies, and information to assist in preparing the Environmental Impact Report. The applicant shall also be required to identify any other public agencies that will have jurisdiction by law over the Project. 4. The applicant shall pay an Environmental Impact Report processing fee established by City Council resolution and shall pay the actual costs of preparing and printing the Environmental Impact Report. C. Notice of Preparation. A Notice of Preparation (NOP) (State Guidelines § 15082) notifying responsible and interested agencies about the project and soliciting their comments on the scope and content of the Environmental Impact Report shall be prepared by the Department. This notice shall be sent by certified mail to the applicant, all responsible and trustee agencies, and all federal agencies involved in approving or funding the project. The NOP shall also be sent to the State Clearinghouse and the County Clerk. Those receiving the NOP have 30 days in which to provide comments regarding the Environmental Impact Report preparation for the Project. If the Public Agency has received a written notification by the U.S. Department of Defense or any branch of the U.S. Armed forces of the specific boundaries of a low-level flight path, military impact zone, or special use airspace and they have provided the Public ---PAGE BREAK--- 8 Agency with the military contact office and address, then that military office shall receive notice the NOP (State Guideline §15190.5). D. Scoping Meeting. For Projects of statewide, regional or areawide significance, or that may affect a highway or other facility under the jurisdiction of the Department of Transportation, at least one scoping meeting shall occur. Notice for the scoping meeting shall be given as follows: 1. Any county or city that borders the City. 2. Any responsible agency. 3. Any public agency that has jurisdiction by law with respect to the Project. 4. Any organization or individual who has filed a written request for the notice. E. Form and Content of an Environmental Impact Report - The required contents of an Environmental Impact Report as set forth in the State Guidelines 15120 - 15132 shall be followed. F. Notice of Completion. As soon as an Environmental Impact Report is completed, the Director shall file a Notice of Completion in printed form or electronically with the Office of Planning and Research. The Notice of Completion shall include all required information and be filed pursuant to State Guidelines § 15085. The Notice of Completion shall include: 1. A brief description of the project. 2. The location of the project either by street address and cross street for urban areas, or by attaching a map, as set forth in State Guidelines § 15085. 3. Address where copies of the draft Environmental Impact Report are available. 4. The review period during which comments will be received. G. Notice of Availability. A Notice of Availability of a completed Environmental Impact Report shall be provided at the same time as the Notice of Completion is sent to the Office of Planning and Research. The Notice of Availability shall be prepared and posted as prescribed in the State Guidelines 15087) and shall be mailed to the last known address of all organizations and individuals who had previously requested such notice and shall be provided pursuant to § 17.20.020 of the Palmdale Municipal Code. The Notice of Availability shall include: 1. Brief description of the project. 2. Starting and ending dates of the review period. ---PAGE BREAK--- 9 3. The date, time, and place of any scheduled public meetings or hearings to be held by the lead agency. 4. A list of the significant environmental effects anticipated as a result of the project. 5. The address where copies of the Environmental Impact Report and all documents incorporated by reference will be available for public review. The location shall be readily accessible during the lead agency’s normal working hours. Copies of the draft Environmental Impact Report should be provided to the public library serving the area involved. 6. The presence of the project site on any lists enumerated under Government Code §65962.5 (hazardous waste sites). H. Public Review of an Environmental Impact Report. Upon the filing of a Notice of Completion, the Director shall submit copies of the Draft Environmental Impact Report to each responsible agency, trustee agency and any other public agency having jurisdiction by law with respect to the Project. Copies of the Environmental Impact Report shall also be made available for purchase by members of the general public. Any person obtaining a copy of the Draft Environmental Impact Report shall reimburse the Public Agency for its reproduction pursuant to the fees established by City Council resolution. Copies of the Draft Environmental Impact Report shall also be available at the Palmdale City Library and at City Hall. The public review period for an Environmental Impact Report shall not be less than 30 days nor should it be longer than 60 days except under unusual circumstances. If the Environmental Impact Report is submitted to the State Clearinghouse for review, the review period shall not be less than 45 days. I. Responses to Comments. In addition to any and all requirements of the State Guidelines, the Director shall evaluate and respond to all comments received regarding the Draft Environmental Impact Report. The Director shall provide a written proposed response to any public agency on comments made by that public agency at least 10 days prior to certifying the Environmental Impact Report (State Guidelines § 15088). J. Preparation of Final Environmental Impact Report. Prior to the public hearing before the Governing Body, it shall be the responsibility of the Director to cause to be prepared a Final Environmental Impact Report. The contents of a Final Environmental Impact Report shall consist of: 1. The Draft Environmental Impact Report or a revision of the draft. 2. Comments and recommendations received on the Draft Environmental Impact Report either verbatim or in summary. 3. A list of persons, organizations, and public agencies commenting on the Draft Environmental Impact Report. ---PAGE BREAK--- 10 4. The responses of the Public Agency to significant environmental points raised in the review and consultation process. 5. Any other information added by the Public Agency (State Guidelines § 15132). K. Public Hearing and Certification of a Final Environmental Impact Report. The Governing Body (for private projects and public projects involving land use entitlements the Planning Commission, and for public projects with no land use entitlements the City Council/Housing Authority), at a public hearing, shall review the Final Environmental Impact Report and related Project concurrently. The Final Environmental Impact Report shall be presented to the Governing Body, together with the Draft Environmental Impact Report. Following the public hearing, and prior to approving the Project, the Governing Body shall certify that: 1. The Final Environmental Impact Report has been completed in compliance with CEQA; 2. The Final Environmental Impact Report was presented to them, and that they reviewed and considered the information contained in the Final Environmental Impact Report prior to approving the Project; and, 3. The Final Environmental Impact Report reflects the Public Agency’s independent judgment and analysis. L. Findings. The Public Agency, in the certification of the Environmental Impact Report, shall identify one or more significant environmental effects of the Project unless it makes one or more written findings for each of those significant effects, accompanied by a brief explanation of the rationale for each finding. The possible findings set forth in the State Guidelines § 15091 include: 1. Changes or alterations have been required in, or incorporated into, the project which avoid or substantially lessen the significant environmental effect as identified in the Final Environmental Impact Report. 2. Such changes or alterations are within the responsibility and jurisdiction of another public agency and not the Public Agency making the finding. Such changes have been adopted by such other agency or can and should be adopted by such other agency. 3. Specific economic, legal, social, technological, or other considerations, including provision of employment opportunities for highly trained workers, make infeasible the mitigation measures or project alternatives identified in the Final Environmental Impact Report. ---PAGE BREAK--- 11 M. Mitigation Monitoring or Reporting Program - In conjunction with adoption of an Environmental Impact Report, the Governing Body shall adopt a program of monitoring to ensure that the required mitigation measures are implemented (State Guidelines § 15097). N. Statement of Overriding Considerations. For any impact that cannot be reduced to less than significant, a Statement of Overriding Consideration shall be adopted pursuant to the State Guidelines § 15093. The Governing Body shall balance, as applicable, the economic, legal, social, technological, or other benefits, including region-wide or statewide environmental benefits, of a Project against its unavoidable environmental risks when determining whether to approve the Project. If the specific economic, legal, social, technological, or other benefits, including region-wide or statewide environmental benefits, of a Project outweigh the unavoidable adverse environmental effects, the adverse environmental effects may be considered acceptable. The findings shall be in writing and set forth the specific reasons to support its action based on the Final Environmental Impact Report and/or other information in the record. O. Notice of Determination - When the Public Agency has decided to carry out or approve a Project, the Public Agency shall prepare a Notice of Determination and within five working days, shall file the Notice of Determination with the County Clerk and, if applicable, with the Office of Planning and Research. The Notice of Determination shall include those items specified in the State Guidelines § 15094 as follows: 1. Identification of the project including any project title used in the Draft Environmental Impact Report. 2. Location of the project either by street address and cross street for urban areas, or by attaching a map as set forth in State Guidelines § 15085. 3. The State Clearing Housing identification number. 4. A brief description of the Project. 5. The Public Agency’s name. 6. The date on which the Public Agency approved the Project. 7. The applicant’s name. 8. The determination of the lead agency whether the Project, as approved, will have a significant effect on the environment. 9. A statement that the Environmental Impact Report was prepared and certified pursuant to the provisions of CEQA. 10. Whether mitigation measures were made a condition of approval and whether a mitigation monitoring program was adopted. 11. Whether findings were made pursuant to State Guidelines §15091. ---PAGE BREAK--- 12 12. Whether a statement of overriding considerations was adopted. 13. The address where a copy of the Final Environmental Impact Report and record of Project approval may be examined. 14. If different from the applicant, the identity of the person undertraining the Project. SECTION 10 APPEALS A. Appeals. - Any decision by the Director or City Planning Commission on a Negative Declaration, Mitigated Negative Declaration, or Environmental Impact Report, may be appealed as set forth in Title 17 of the Palmdale Municipal Code. All actions of the City Council/Housing Authority shall be final. SECTION 11 AMENDMENTS TO THESE GUIDELINES These Guidelines may be administratively amended by the City Attorney’s Office of the City of Palmdale without any further approval by any Public Agency, so as to conform to any changes in CEQA and/or the State Guidelines. APPENDICES Appendix A – Ministerially Exempt Projects Appendix B – Additional Categorical Exempt Projects ---PAGE BREAK--- APPENDIX A MINISTERIALLY EXEMPT PROJECTS IN THE CITY OF PALMDALE Pursuant to Sections 15022 and 15268 of the State Guidelines issuance/approval of the following permits in the City shall be conclusively presumed to be ministerially exempt from the requirements of the CEQA and thus preparation of an environmental document is not required. However, where a project involves an approval that contains elements of both a ministerial action and a discretionary action, the project will be deemed discretionary and will be subject to the requirements of the CEQA. Building and Related Permits: 1. Building and related permits, including driveways up to 300 feet demolition, plumbing, electrical, solar panels). 2. Any permits for historic structures, as defined by the Secretary of Interior, are exempt only if the Secretary of Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation and Guidelines for Rehabilitating Historic Buildings are met. 3. Any permits for a single-family residence, accessory dwelling unit, residential units under section 17.39 of the Palmdale Municipal Code, accessory structures, swimming pools, wall/fences or similar uses. Grading and Related Earth Disturbing Permits: 4. A grading permit that meets the following criteria: Is not located in an environmentally sensitive area; Involves grading for construction of a single-family residence; and, Does not result in a new driveway over 300 feet in length. 5. A stockpiling/grading permit up to four feet in height. 6. Structural Erosion Control measures and Best Management Plan (BMPs) processed in accordance with the requirements of the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) program and the Palmdale Municipal Code. 7. Revegetation plans. Planning Permits: 8. Zone clearance application. 9. Fence permit. 10. Home occupation permit. 11. Sign permit (including directional, identification, temporary off-site and /or agricultural signs, and comprehensive sign plans). 12. Farmworker housing (where permitted by right). 13. Telecommunication facility minor modification application. 14. Temporary use permit. 15 . Time Extension ---PAGE BREAK--- Land Divisions: 16. Final subdivision maps. 17. A parcel map created pursuant to Chapter 16.03 (Urban Lot Split) of the Palmdale Municipal Code. 18. Minor modifications and amendments to tentative tract and parcel maps. 19. Recorded map technical corrections. 20. Lot line adjustments involving four or fewer parcels, except when processed concurrently with a related application that is discretionary (e.g. variance, use permit). 21. Unconditional certificate of compliance. 22. Voluntary merger of parcels. 23. Record of survey map recording. ---PAGE BREAK--- APPENDIX B ADDITIONAL CATEGORICALLY EXEMPT PROJECTS IN THE CITY OF PALMDALE In addition to the exemptions contained in the State Guidelines, pursuant to Sections 15022(a)(1)(C) and 15300.4 of the State Guidelines the City has found that the following types of projects typically do not have a significant effect on the environment and therefore qualify for a categorical exemption under the class of categorical exemptions listed below: Class 1: Existing Facilities [State Guidelines §15301] 1. Existing roads, streets, highways, bicycle and pedestrian paths, and appurtenant facilities. Repair, maintenance, reconstruction, replacement and minor expansion including, but not limited to: Reconstructing, resurfacing and/or seal coating of the pavement; Paving existing unpaved shoulders; Widening the paved roadway by less than 10 feet or adding up to 4-foot wide unpaved shoulders; Adding short auxiliary lanes when required for localized purposes such as weaving, turning, lane changing or accelerating or decelerating; Adding non-motorized trails and walkways parallel to the existing roadway to separate such non-motorized uses from motorized traffic; Installing landscaping within road rights-of-way that involves minimal earth disturbing activities; Working on clear-span bridge structures, reconstructing existing stream crossings and making minor operational improvements to drainage facilities, provided that the construction of temporary stream bypasses is not involved; Modifying to improve existing roadside safety features such as curbs, pikes, headwalls, slopes and ditches within the right of way, adding or replacing devices such as fencing, guardrails, safety barriers, guideposts, and markers, or installing, removing, or modifying regulatory, warning, or informational signs; Adding, removing and/or replacing distinctive roadway, runway, or taxiway markings such as painted stripes, raised pavement markers thermoplastic, tape or raised bars; OR Abandoning dead-end roads when provisions for ongoing, long-term maintenance have been made or the road right-of-way has been returned to a natural state from a hydrologic standpoint. 2. Existing telecommunication facilities: Modification and renewal of the permits thereof. 3. Minor modifications to approved plans pursuant to § 17.26.040 of the Palmdale Municipal Code. 4. Existing erosion control plans: Modification thereof when: The footprint of the area disturbed is not expanded; The amount of sediment delivered from the site as calculated by a qualified professional is not increased; AND Groundwater use is not increased. 5. Tentative map revisions: Revisions to approved maps, including minor adjustments to access roads, that do not affect existing buildings. ---PAGE BREAK--- 6. Existing mining operations: Temporary cessation thereof. Class 3: New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures [State Guidelines §15303] 7. Farmworker housing: Construction and operation thereof where not permitted by right. 8. Construction and operation of agricultural processing facilities, and farm management uses that: Are less than 5,000 square feet in size; and, Will generate less than 40 vehicle trips per day and 5 per peak hour. 9. Construction and operation of small public/emergency service facilities, including sheriff’s communication towers and power generators and buildings of less than 5,000 feet on less than 30% slopes involving less than 2,000 cubic yards of grading/excavation. 10. Wells: Installation and/or operation thereof pursuant to a groundwater permit when the amount of groundwater proposed to be used in total on the parcel is less than or equal to the amount of groundwater historically used during the last 3 years). Class 4: Minor Alterations to Land [State Guidelines §15304] 11. Park Facilities: Installation and operation of new or modification to existing park facilities that would: Disturb less than 5½ acres of land and have an average slope of 15% or less; AND Do not increase overall groundwater use on the parcel. 12. New access roads and driveways (longer than 300 feet and resulting in less than 2,000 cubic yards of grading) that would: Not disturb more than 2 acres of land; Not traverse slopes that are steeper than 29.9%; AND Not discharge concentrated runoff within a stream setback area. Class 5: Minor Alterations in Land Use Limitations [State Guidelines §15305] 13. Zone Changes and General Plan Amendments: Implementation of Zone Changes and General Plan Amendments that do not increase the maximum intensity of land use allowed. 14. Parcel mergers: Implementation of parcel mergers pursuant to Title 16 of the Palmdale Municipal Code implementing the Subdivision Map Act. 15. Temporary public road closures: Closures for temporary use permits and special events pursuant to Title 17 of the Palmdale Municipal Code. 16. Variances to standards for projects that are allowed by right under zoning. 17. Minor modifications to lot line adjustments pursuant to Title 16 of the Palmdale Municipal Code.