5 Table 2 SLOAPCD Operational Emissions Significance Thresholds ...23 Table 3 Project Quarterly Construction Emissions ...24 Table 4 Project Operational Emissions ...24 Table 5 Project G
Project Title
Lead Agency Name and Address
California State University (CSU) Board of Trustees
Contact Person and Phone Number
Facilities Planning and Capital Projects
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Phone: (805) 756-6538 e-mail: jdumars@calpoly.edu
Project Proponent Name and Address
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Project Location and Setting
Cal Poly, California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, is situated on over 6,000 acres of diverse land including agricultural areas, natural preserves, and developed campus facilities, strategically positioned northeast of the city along California’s central coast The campus is conveniently located midway between San Francisco and Los Angeles, making it easily accessible in the region The project site, approximately three acres in size, is located along Mount Bishop Road northwest of the campus core, near Building #83 (Technology Park) and Building #82 (Corporation Warehouse) Currently, the site features parking, an open-air storage yard, trees, and landscaping, with visual aids (Figures 1-3) illustrating its regional, campus, and local locations for better context, supporting effective planning and development.
The 2001 Cal Poly Master Plan serves as the key framework overseeing land use and capital improvements across campus This comprehensive document guides development efforts, focusing on crucial elements such as the Campus Instructional Core and Residential Communities By establishing strategic guidelines, the Master Plan ensures sustainable growth and enhances the university's infrastructure to support its academic and residential needs.
The Master Plan for the campus outlines land uses and provides guiding principles for future development, ensuring a cohesive growth strategy While it does not specify detailed standards, it includes mitigation measures detailed in the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) to address circulation and parking impacts These measures are essential to ensure responsible development and effective management of transportation and parking facilities, supporting sustainable campus expansion.
The project site is designated for Building 82E, which will house the new farm shop and transportation services, as outlined in the Master Plan These facilities are strategically planned to support campus operations and enhance logistical efficiency The development of the farm shop and transportation services aims to improve campus infrastructure and provide essential services to the community Parking facilities are also included in this site to ensure convenient access for staff, visitors, and transportation needs, contributing to smooth campus operations.
Project Description
The project involves constructing a three-story, 30,000-square-foot Technology Park Expansion on Mount Bishop Road, designed to enhance infrastructure and programming focused on entrepreneurship, technology transfer, and innovation This expansion aims to foster regional economic growth by providing state-of-the-art facilities that support startups and tech advancements Key components of the project are summarized in Table 1, highlighting its comprehensive approach to promoting innovation in the community.
Indoor Common Area/Meeting Space 2,500
The conceptual site plan, as illustrated in Figure 4, highlights a maximum building height of approximately 46 feet, providing a clear overview of the project's scale Figure 5 details the building height, emphasizing design consistency and architectural intent Additionally, Figure 6 presents an aerial view of the north and west elevations, showcasing the building massing and its integration within the surrounding environment These visual representations collectively inform the project's architectural concepts and site development strategy.
The project involves removing the existing parking lot and up to 20 trees, with the displaced parking spaces being relocated within the project boundary shown in Figure 3 before construction begins Additionally, approximately 12,000 square feet of landscaping will be incorporated into the project to enhance the site’s aesthetics and environmental quality.
Construction is scheduled to commence in spring 2021, with an expected completion within 18 months The project involves approximately 10,200 cubic yards of earthwork, including cut and fill activities Additionally, about 753 cubic yards of soils will be exported as part of the earthmoving process.
Figure 6 North and West Elevation Aerial View with Building Massing
The project would require a Minor Master Plan Amendment, but would not affect overall enrollment The project square footage does not exceed the development potential identified in the
The project would connect to existing electrical, water, and sewer mains service to the project site are all adjacent to the site or on Mount Bishop Road
The site drainage design will adhere to the post-construction stormwater management requirements outlined by the State Water Resources Control Board Phase II Small MS4 Permit These guidelines emphasize the importance of treating, infiltrating, and detaining stormwater whenever feasible to ensure sustainable drainage solutions.
Other Public Agencies Whose Approval is Required
San Luis Obispo County Air Pollution Control District
Regional Water Quality Control Board
Implementation of the project would require the following discretionary approvals by the California State University:
Approve a campus master plan revision
9 California Environmental Quality Act Compliance
This document presents the Initial Study (IS) and Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) for the proposed Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Technology Park Expansion Project in San Luis Obispo County, California It has been prepared in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), including the California Public Resources Code Section 21000 et seq., and the CEQA Guidelines (14 CCR 15000 et seq.), ensuring a thorough environmental review and designation of applicable mitigation measures.
A lead agency prepares an Initial Study (IS) to assess whether a project could have a significant environmental impact, helping determine the appropriate environmental documentation under CEQA (14 CCR 15063(a)) If the IS concludes that the project will not cause significant impacts when feasible mitigation measures are incorporated into the design, a Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) is the suitable environmental review document The California State University (CSU) as the lead agency will oversee the review and approval process for the proposed project.
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This project may impact various environmental factors, with at least one potential effect classified as either "Potentially Significant" or "Less than Significant with Mitigation Incorporated," according to the checklist outlined on the following pages.
■ Biological Resources ■ Cultural Resources □ Energy
□ Hydrology/Water Quality □ Land Use/Planning □ Mineral Resources
■ Noise □ Population/Housing □ Public Services
□ Recreation □ Transportation □ Tribal Cultural Resources
□ Utilities/Service Systems □ Wildfire ■ Mandatory Findings of Significance
Based on this initial evaluation:
□ I find that the proposed project COULD NOT have a significant effect on the environment, and a NEGATIVE DECLARATION will be prepared.
The proposed project has the potential to significantly impact the environment; however, recent revisions approved by the project proponent mitigate these effects As a result, the revised project is expected to have minimal environmental impact, ensuring compliance with environmental standards and regulations.
NEGATIVE DECLARATION will be prepared.
□ I find that the proposed project MAY have a significant effect on the environment, and an ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT is required.
The proposed project may have a potentially significant or less-than-significant impact on the environment, but at least one effect has already been thoroughly analyzed in a previous document following legal standards Mitigation measures based on this prior analysis have been implemented to address identified impacts An Environmental Impact Report (EIR) is required; however, it should focus solely on evaluating the effects that remain unaddressed, ensuring comprehensive environmental review.
The proposed project has the potential to significantly impact the environment; however, all potential effects have already been thoroughly analyzed in an earlier Environmental Impact Report (EIR) or Negative Declaration, in accordance with applicable standards Additionally, these impacts have been effectively avoided or mitigated through measures outlined in the previous EIR or Negative Declaration, including necessary revisions or mitigation strategies imposed on the project Therefore, no further environmental review or action is required.
Less than Significant with Mitigation Incorporated
Less than Significant Impact No Impact
The project is evaluated for its potential impacts on scenic and visual resources, with key considerations including whether it would have a substantial adverse effect on scenic vistas or damage scenic resources such as trees, rock outcroppings, and historic buildings within a state scenic highway It is also assessed whether, in non-urbanized areas, the project would significantly degrade the existing visual character or quality of public views from accessible vantage points, and if in urban areas, whether it conflicts with local zoning and regulations related to scenic quality Additionally, the project’s potential to create new sources of substantial light or glare that could negatively impact daytime or nighttime views is carefully considered.
The Technology Park Expansion project is situated on the extended campus along Mount Bishop Road, adjacent to modular buildings #50J, #50K, #50L, and the existing Technology Park (#83) The site is visible primarily to drivers along Mount Bishop Road and to pedestrians accessing nearby buildings Currently, the site is disturbed, featuring a parking area, an open-air storage yard, trees, and landscaping elements, as shown in Figures 7 through 10.
The existing visual environment surrounding the project site is largely disturbed/developed, and is characterized by existing campus structures, storage, and parking The site is not located in a
Campus Master Plan-designated scenic vista or along a designated scenic highway Existing lighting sources in the project vicinity include structure lighting, campus security lighting, and parking lot lighting
Figure 7 Project Site Looking North
Figure 8 Project Site Looking East
Aesthetics Figure 9 Project Site Looking South
Figure 10 Project Site Looking West from Mount Bishop Road a Would the project have a substantial adverse effect on a scenic vista?
According to the 2001 Campus Master Plan and Environmental Impact Report, there are no scenic vistas located within the proposed project area As a result, the project is not expected to have any substantial adverse effects on scenic vistas Therefore, no impact to scenic vistas would occur because of the project.
NO IMPACT b Would the project substantially damage scenic resources, including but not limited to, trees, rock outcroppings, and historic buildings within a state scenic highway?
State Route (SR) 1, between San Luis Obispo and the northern San Luis Obispo County boundary line, is an Officially Designated State Scenic Highway (California Department of Transportation
SR 1 is situated about 0.3 miles west of the project site, but existing vegetation and topography obstruct views of the location and the project once constructed As a result, the project would not be visible from the highway and is not within the view corridor of any officially designated scenic highway Consequently, the project would not have any impact on scenic highways.
The project should be evaluated to determine if it would significantly degrade the existing visual character or quality of public views from accessible vantage points If located in an urban area, it is essential to assess whether the project conflicts with local zoning laws or regulations designed to protect scenic quality To ensure minimal visual impact, the project must integrate seamlessly with its surroundings without compromising the aesthetic integrity of public views.
The proposed project involves removing existing parking, storage yard, and landscaping to construct a three-story, 30,000-GSF Technology Park Expansion building, complemented by new landscaping that aligns with the campus’s visual character According to the 2001 Campus Master Plan, the campus interior maintains a consistent height and mass with surrounding structures, promoting visual continuity The new building’s three-story height and size will be visually compatible with the adjacent Technology Park, ensuring no significant impact on the campus’s visual character During construction, approximately 20 ornamental trees and minimal landscaping will be temporarily removed, but new landscaping will be implemented throughout the site to preserve the existing visual aesthetic, resulting in less-than-significant impacts.
During construction, there may be temporary aesthetic impacts resulting from stockpiling and the presence of construction equipment on the project site However, these impacts are transient and will cease upon the completion of construction, restoring the site's visual quality.
Overall, the project would not degrade the existing visual character or quality of the site Impacts on visual character and quality would be less than significant
LESS THAN SIGNIFICANT IMPACT d Would the project create a new source of substantial light or glare that would adversely affect daytime or nighttime views in the area?
Potential increased sources of light and glare include operational lighting, interior and exterior security lighting associated with the Technology Park Expansion building, and reflective building
The proposed structures may introduce new sources of lighting and glare that could significantly impact both daytime and nighttime views These aesthetic considerations pose potential concerns by adversely affecting visual quality and creating unwanted light pollution, highlighting the importance of addressing lighting and glare impacts in the project planning process.
The following mitigation measure in accordance with the 2001 Campus Master Plan EIR would be required to reduce light and glare impacts to a less than significant level
AES-1 Lighting and Glare Minimization
All exterior lighting must be hooded to prevent unobstructed beams from shining onto sensitive areas Reflective materials, such as metal roofing and large glass surfaces on west-facing walls, should be minimized to reduce light pollution These measures ensure responsible outdoor lighting that respects surrounding uses and minimizes environmental impact.
LESS THAN SIGNIFICANT WITH MITIGATION INCORPORATED
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Less than Significant with Mitigation Incorporated
Less than Significant Impact No Impact
Would the project: a Convert Prime Farmland, Unique Farmland, or Farmland of Statewide Importance
(Farmland), as shown on maps prepared pursuant to the Farmland Mapping and
Monitoring Program of the California