This project was reviewed pursuant to the guidelines of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and determined to be categorically exempt pursuant to Section 15332, Class 32: "Infill Development Projects" of the CEQA Guidelines. Class 32 consists of projects characterized by in-fill development that meet the following conditions: (a) the project is consistent with the applicable general plan designation and all applicable general plan policies as well as with applicable zoning designation and regulations; (b) the proposed development occurs within city limits on a project site of no more than five acres substantially surrounded by urban uses; (c) the project site has no value as habitat for endangered, rare or threatened species; (d) approval of the project would not result in any significant effects relating to traffic, noise, air quality, or water quality; and (e) the site can be adequately served by all required utilities and public services. The project meets the applicable conditions for a Class 32 exemption, as outlined below.

(a) The project is consistent with the applicable General Plan designation and all applicable General Plan policies as well as with applicable zoning designation and regulations.

The project consists of demolishing an existing single-unit dwelling and constructing a four-unit apartment building on a 0.26-acre site. The General Plan designates the project site for Residential Multi-Unit 1 land use, which allows for the development of apartments at a maximum density of 24 dwelling units per acre. Therefore, the 0.26-acre project site is permitted to be developed with a maximum of six dwelling units. The project is also consistent with General Plan policies LU 1.2 Development Capacity, LU 2.1 Places to Live, LU 4.1 Development Compatibility, LU 4.4 Design Review, LU 6.4 Housing Type Distribution, LU 7.2 New Residential Development, LU 7.3 Housing Character and Design, Lu 9.1 Character and Design, LU 9.2 Amenities, LU 9.3 Development Transitions, H 1.3 Support Private Sector, Housing H 1.5 Market and Non-Market Housing Production Needs, and H 2.5 Adequate Housing Sites. The project site is within the R-4 (Multi-Unit Dwelling) Zone and the Planned Unit Development (PUD) Overlay Zone. As detailed in the staff report, the project is consistent with the applicable zoning regulation and all applicable zoning regulations. Therefore, the project is consistent with the applicable General Plan designation and all applicable General Plan policies as well as with applicable zoning designation and regulations.

(b) The proposed development occurs within City limits on a project site of no more than five acres substantially surrounded by urban uses. 

The project site is 0.26 acres and surrounded by urban uses, including residential developments and a small liquor store. Therefore, the proposed development occurs within City limits on a project site of no more than five acres substantially surrounded by urban uses. 

(c) The project site has no value as habitat for endangered, rare or threatened species. 

The Conservation/Natural Resources chapter of the General Plan does not identify the Project site as an area of biological sensitivity. As a result, the project site has no value as habitat for endangered, rare, or threatened species.

(d) Approval of the project would not result in any significant effects relating to traffic, noise, air quality, or water quality. 

The project was screened through the North Orange County Collaborative VMT (Vehicle Miles Traveled) Traffic Study Screening Tool. VMT measures the per capita number of car trips generated by a project and the distance vehicles will travel to and from a project. The use of VMT for analyzing transportation impacts emphasizes the reduction in the number of vehicle trips and vehicle miles traveled to encourage the development of jobs, housing and commercial uses in proximity to each other and near public transportation. According to the screening tool, the project is located within a Low VMT Generating Zone. Per the Governor's Office of Land Use & Climate Innovation (LCI), formerly known as the Office of Planning and Research (OPR), a small project can be screened from VMT analysis if it is determined that the daily net trips will be less than 110 trios. Based on the project size, the net daily trips are expected to be 27 trips. Therefore, the project is not subject to a VMT analysis. Lastly, the approval of the project would not result in significant impacts to noise, air quality, or water quality, as the project is a residential development proposed on a residentially zoned parcel and surrounded by existing residential developments on all sides and a small commercial liquor store to the south. Therefore, approval of the project would not result in any significant effects relating to traffic, noise, air quality, or water quality. 
 
(e) The site can be adequately served by all required utilities and public services. 

Because this is a redevelopment project, the site can and will continue to be adequately served by all utilities and public services.

This project is also not subject to any of the exceptions for exemption listed under Section 15300.2 of the CEQA Guidelines. The cumulative impact of this project, and the approval of other projects like it in the vicinity, is not expected to have any significant environmental impact. The project is not located along any state-designated scenic highway nor within any designated hazardous waste site. In addition, the Applicant has submitted a historic resource assessment prepared by Galvin Preservation Associates, Inc. (GPA), which identifies that the project site, and the existing dwelling unit on the project site, do not qualify as a historic resource due to the alterations and additions that have already been made to the original structure. GPA's research of past records also indicates that neither the existing single-unit dwelling nor its association with previous occupants are significant contributors to the City's history. Staff do not expect any significant impacts or unusual circumstances related to the approval and construction of the project. Therefore, the project is categorically exempt from CEQA.

That the Planning Commission approve and adopt:

A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF LA HABRA, CALIFORNIA, MAKING THE REQUIRED FINDINGS AND APPROVING DESIGN REVIEW 24-0015 (DR2PH24-0015) TO CONSTRUCT A FOUR-UNIT APARTMENT BUILDING ON THE PROPERTY CURRENTLY ADDRESSED AS 531 SOUTH EUCLID STREET, AS PER THE APPROVED PLANS AND SUBJECT TO CONDITIONS, AND MAKING THE DETERMINATION THAT THE PROJECT IS EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA) PURSUANT TO SECTION 15332, CLASS 32: "INFILL DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS" OF THE CEQA GUIDELINES