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Salinas planning staff gives CEQA 101, explains new 'near miss' rule and upcoming EIRs tied to general plan update
Summary
Senior planner Sona Fong Gallardo led a CEQA 101 study session for the Salinas Planning Commission on Feb. 18, explaining exemptions, the staff role in initial studies and the new state 'near miss' rule (SB 131) that can let projects qualify for exemptions despite failing one condition; commissioners asked how these changes affect local development and timelines for the general plan update.
Senior Planner Sona Fong Gallardo told the Salinas Planning Commission on Feb. 18 that the California Environmental Quality Act, or CEQA, requires government agencies to consider potential environmental effects before approving projects and that CEQA offers three common review paths: categorical/statutory exemptions, an initial study followed by a negative or mitigated negative declaration, or an environmental impact report (EIR).
Gallardo outlined the most-used local exemptions — Class 1 (existing facilities), Class 3 (small structures) and Class 32 (infill) — and said a Class 32 exemption requires, among other things, that the site be within city limits, be no more than five acres, be consistent with applicable general…
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