MONTECITO PLANNING COMMISSION Coastal Zone Staff Report for Santa Barbara Cemetery Grading and Crypts

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1 MONTECITO PLANNING COMMISSION Coastal Zone Staff Report for Santa Barbara Cemetery Grading and Crypts Staff Report Date: January 29, 2015 Case No.: 14AMD and 14CDH Environmental Document: Exemption and Deputy Director: Alice McCurdy Division: Development Review Supervising Planner: Anne Almy Supervising Planner Phone #: Staff Contact: Anne Almy Staff Contact Phone #: OWNER / APPLICANT: Santa Barbara Cemetery Association Randy Thwing, General Manager 901 Channel Drive Santa Barbara, CA (805) AGENT / ENGINEER: Harry Fowler 765 Oak Grove Drive Santa Barbara, CA (805) Project Area LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT: Charles McClure 5290 Overpass Road, Suite 115 Santa Barbara, CA (805) This site is identified as Assessor Parcel Numbers & , 901 Channel Drive, Montecito Community Plan Area, First Supervisorial District. Application Complete: August 12, 2014 Processing Deadline: 60 days from NOE 1.0 REQUEST Hearing on the request of Harry Fowler, agent for the Santa Barbara Cemetery Association, to consider the following:

2 Page 2 a. Case No. 14AMD [application filed on July 25, 2014] for approval of an amendment to the Cemetery s operating Conditional Use Permit (68-CP-31) to install 209 subterranean crypts with associated grading (approximately 1,053 cubic yards of cut and 614 cubic yards of fill) over an area of approximately 5,600 square feet; in compliance with Section of Article II, on property zoned 20-R-1; b. Case No. 14CDH [application filed on July 25, 2014] for a Coastal Development Permit in compliance with Section of the Article II Coastal Zoning Ordinance, on property zoned 20-R-1 to install 209 subterranean crypts with associated grading (approximately 1,053 cubic yards of cut and 614 cubic yards of fill) over an area of approximately 5,600 square feet; and to determine the project is exempt from the provisions of CEQA pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines Section 15301, included as Attachment D. The application involves Assessor Parcel Nos & , located at 901 Channel Drive, in the Montecito area, First Supervisorial District. 2.0 RECOMMENDATION AND PROCEDURES Follow the procedures outlined below and conditionally approve Case Nos. 14AMD and 14CDH marked "Officially Accepted, County of Santa Barbara February 18, 2015 Montecito Planning Commission Attachment E", based upon the project's consistency with the Comprehensive Plan, including the Coastal Land Use Plan and the Montecito Community Plan, and based on the ability to make the required findings. Your Commission's motion should include the following: 1. Make the required findings for approval of the project specified in Attachment A of this staff report, including CEQA findings. 2. Determine the project is exempt from CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guideline Section of CEQA, included as Attachment C of this staff report. 3. Approve the project Case Nos. 14AMD and 14CDH subject to the conditions of approval included as Attachments B-1 and B-2, respectively. Refer back to staff if the Montecito Planning Commission takes other than the recommended action for appropriate findings and conditions.

3 Page JURISDICTION This project is being considered by the Montecito Planning Commission based on Article II, Section(s) c.4, which states: The Zoning Administrator shall hold at least one notice public hearing [on] the application for the Amendment and the application for the Coastal Development Permit and approve, conditionally approve, or deny the request. Pursuant to the Santa Barbara County Code, Chapter 2 Section (a), the Montecito Planning Commission shall assume the powers and duties given to the Zoning Administrator in Article II of Chapter 35 within the Montecito Planning Area. These provisions require that projects in the Montecito Planning Area be heard by the Montecito Planning Commission rather than the Zoning Administrator. 4.0 ISSUE SUMMARY The Santa Barbara Cemetery was established on the 57-acre site in The operating permit 68-CP-31 validated all of the existing cemetery uses and facilities on the property. Subsequent permits have been issued over the years to allow the construction of new buildings (e.g., mausoleums and columbaria) and installation of subterranean crypts. The current project involves the subterranean installation of 209 pre-cast concrete crypts and associated grading and drainage. The project area was platted for grave sites as recorded in Book C, Page 75 of the County of Santa Barbara Cemetery Maps. The mass installation of the crypts would not change the number of grave sites in the affected area and would not expand the use of the cemetery. Typically crypts are installed one at a time as needed for individual burials. Due to the slopes in this area (approximately 28%), the installation of 209 pre-cast concrete crypts at one time allows for the inclusion of a drainage system and more efficient cemetery operations in the area. 5.1 Site Information 5.0 PROJECT INFORMATION Comprehensive Plan Designation Zone Site Size Present Use & Development Site Information Coastal, Urban, Cemetery Article II, Residential 20-R-1, Coastal Commission Appeal Jurisdiction 57 acres Cemetery with associated structures including chapel,

4 Page 4 Surrounding Uses/Zone(s) Access Public Services Site Information sanctuary, offices, mausoleums, columbaria, urn gardens and service building North: City of Santa Barbara & Bird Refuge South: Pacific Ocean East: Montecito Sanitary District/PU (Public Works Utilities and Private Service Facilities) Residential/1-E-1, 7-R-1, & DR-10; West: City of Santa Barbara & Bird Refuge Channel Drive Water Supply: Montecito Water District Sewage: City of Santa Barbara Fire: Montecito Fire Protection District Police Services: County Sheriff 5.2 Description The proposal is for an Amendment to the Santa Barbara Cemetery s operating Conditional Use Permit (68-CP-031) and a Coastal Development Permit (with Hearing) to allow the subterranean installation of 209 pre-cast concrete crypts with associated grading and drainage. The project will require approximately 1,053 cubic yards of cut and 614 cubic yards of fill over an area of approximately 5,600 square feet. Approximately 439 cubic yards of excess material will be exported to the Cemetery-owned parcel on the north side of Channel Drive (APN ). The project includes the installation of a subterranean drainage system that will drain to an existing drywell installed for this purpose. No trees will be removed and one 4-inch deodar cedar will be protected in place. Upon completion of the installation, the existing lawn would be restored with new sod. The property is served by the Montecito Water District, the Montecito Sanitary District, and the Montecito Fire Protection District. Access is provided from Channel Drive. No additional services or access will be required to serve the project. The property is a 57-acre parcel zoned 20-R-1 and shown as Assessor's Parcel Numbers and , located at 901 Channel Drive in the Montecito Community Plan Area, First Supervisorial District. 5.3 Background Information The Santa Barbara Cemetery was established on the 57-acre site in The first permit issued to the property was 52-CP-9, which permitted an addition to an existing (at the time) crematorium. A number of other permits have been approved over the years to allow

5 Page 5 construction of additional buildings on the site in support of the cemetery use, including mausoleums. 68-CP-31 validated all of the existing cemetery uses and facilities on the property. 6.1 Environmental Review 6.0 PROJECT ANALYSIS As discussed in detail in Attachment C of this staff report, the project can be found exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act per Sections and of the CEQA Guidelines. 6.2 Comprehensive Plan Consistency The following policies of the Comprehensive Plan, including the Coastal Land Use Plan and Montecito Community Plan apply to the project. REQUIREMENT Coastal Plan Policy 2-6: Prior to issuance of a development permit, the County shall make the finding, based on information provided by environmental documents, staff analysis, and the applicant, that adequate public or private services and resources (i.e., water, sewer, roads, etc.) are available to serve the proposed development. Montecito Community Plan (MCP) Policy CIRC-M-1.5: A determination of project consistency with the standards and policies of this Community Plan Circulation Section shall constitute a determination of consistency with Local Coastal Plan Policy #2-6 and LUDP #4 with regard to roadway and intersection capacity. DISCUSSION Consistent: No restroom or other waterusing facilities are proposed; thus, no additional water or sanitary services would be necessary and a Certificate of Water Service Availability is not required from the Montecito Water District. The site is already served by the Montecito Water District and sewage disposal is provided by the City of Santa Barbara at the existing cemetery buildings. Access to the site is from an existing public road, Channel Drive, with a secondary (gated) access from an offshoot of East Cabrillo Boulevard to the west (also known as Channel Drive). A network of private roads provide access and parking throughout the cemetery property, including the proposed grading and crypt installation area. Adequate area is available on the site to accommodate construction parking and the project is conditioned to require parking on the site; thus, minimizing any potential conflicts with the nearby neighborhood (Condition No. 8).

6 Page 6 REQUIREMENT Coastal Plan Policy 3-13: Plans for development shall minimize cut and fill operations. Plans requiring excessive cutting and filling may be denied if it is determined that the development could be carried out with less alteration of the natural terrain. Coastal Plan Policy 3-18: Provisions shall be made to conduct surface water to storm drains or suitable watercourses to prevent erosion. Drainage devices shall be designed to accommodate increased runoff resulting from modified soil and surface conditions as a result of development. Water runoff shall be retained on-site whenever possible to facilitate groundwater recharge. DISCUSSION The policies within the Montecito Community Plan Circulation Section prescribe acceptable levels of service and capacity for area intersections and roadways, respectively. The mass installation of 209 crypts would not change the number of grave sites in the affected area and would not expand the use of the cemetery. The project would not result in a need to increase staffing of the cemetery and would not affect the rate of funerals or visitation. Therefore, the project would be consistent with the circulation policies of the MCP. Consistent: The project is located in an area of the site with an approximately 28 percent slope. Cut and fill would be limited to that necessary to install the pre-cast concrete crypts and back fill over the crypts. Consistent: The project would not change surface water runoff as the site would be covered in new sod (replacing existing) after installation of the crypts. The project includes a subsurface drainage system to ensure adequate subsurface drainage in and around the new pre-cast concrete crypts. The subsurface drainage would drain to a drywell installed for this purpose. In 2009, the Santa Barbara Cemetery anticipated the need for drainage drywells for this anticipated project and a similar nearby project that was approved and developed in The drywell was installed in Article II exempts drywell installation pursuant to Section k. Fugro West conducted the subsurface investigation and determined

7 Page 7 REQUIREMENT Coastal Plan Policy 3-19: Degradation of the water quality of groundwater basins, nearby streams, or wetlands shall not result from development of the site. Pollutants, such as chemicals, fuels, lubricants, raw sewage, and other harmful waste, shall not be discharged into or alongside coastal streams or wetlands either during or after construction. MCP Policy BIO-M-1.20: Pollution of streams, sloughs, drainage channels, underground water basins, estuaries, the ocean and areas adjacent to such waters shall be minimized. Coastal Plan Policy 10-2: When developments are proposed for parcels where archaeological or other cultural sites are located, project design shall be required which avoids impacts to such cultural sites if possible. MCP Policy CR-M-2.1: Significant cultural, archaeological, and historic resources in the Montecito area shall be protected and preserved to the extent feasible. DISCUSSION that the capacity of the existing drywell (DH- 1/DW-1) would meet the needs of the project (Geotechnical Letter Report, Fugro West, Inc., July 30, 2009, available for review at P&D upon request). Use of the drywell would retain water on the site and facilitate groundwater recharge. Consistent: The proposed project is conditioned to require water quality protection measures during grading and construction, including the protection of existing drop inlets and storm drains, to prevent pollutants from entering the storm drain system and nearby water bodies (Condition Nos. 6, 9, and 10). Consistent: Based on records on file at the County and the Central Coast Information Center (CCIC) at the University of California, Santa Barbara, the proposed project is located more than 1,000 feet from a known archaeological site. In 2007, a Phase 1 surface survey was conducted approximately 400 feet to the northwest of the proposed project site in preparation for construction of a mausoleum building. No archaeological or other cultural resources were identified as a result of this survey. The location of the current project is a sufficient distance from the identified archaeological site to ensure that no damage to the identified site would result from the project. Additionally, the

8 Page 8 REQUIREMENT Coastal Plan Policy 11-1: The provisions of the Air Quality Attainment Plan shall apply to the coastal zone. MCP Policy AQ-M-1.3: Air pollution emissions from new development and associated construction activities shall be minimized to the maximum extent feasible. These activities shall be consistent with the Air Quality Attainment Plan and Air Pollution Control District guidelines. DISCUSSION proposed project would occur on an approximately 28 percent slope, where it is unlikely that prehistoric cultural resources would occur. As a result, no impacts to cultural resources are expected from the proposed project. In accordance with County Cultural Resources Guidelines, the project is conditioned (No. 5) to require that in the unanticipated event that any archaeological materials are encountered during construction, construction shall be halted and the resources shall be evaluated to determine their significance. Consistent: Because the project requires a substantial amount of grading, it is conditioned to follow standard dust control measures throughout work to minimize air pollution emissions consistent with these policies and development standards (Condition No. 3). MCP Development Standard AQ-M-1.3.2: The applicant shall minimize the generation of fugitive dust during construction activities by observing the following: a. Minimize the amount of disturbed area; b. Utilize water and or dust palliatives; and c. Revegetate/stabilize disturbed area as soon as possible.

9 Page Zoning: Article II Compliance with Article II, Coastal Zoning Ordinance The proposed project would be consistent with all applicable requirements of the Article II Coastal Zoning Ordinance, including the setback requirements since the project area is centrally located within the 57-acre property. It would also be consistent with Conditional Use Permit requirements. The drywell was installed ahead of the project to address drainage associated with the installation of the crypts. Pursuant to Section k of Article II, installation of drywells does not require a permit. Other regulations would not apply because the project does not include any structures above grade and there are no environmentally sensitive habitats, flood hazards, or other overlays within the project area. 6.4 Subdivision/Development Review Committee Review by the Subdivision/Development Review Committee was not required. 7.0 APPEALS PROCEDURE The action of the Planning Commission may be appealed to the Board of Supervisors within ten (10) calendar days of said action. For developments which are appealable to the Coastal Commission under Section , no appeal fee will be charged. The action of the Board of Supervisors may be appealed to the Coastal Commission within ten (10) working days of receipt by the Coastal Commission of the County's notice of final action. ATTACHMENTS A. Findings B. Conditions of Approval B-1. Conditions of Approval for Case No. 14AMD B-2. Conditions of Approval for Case No. 14CDH C. CEQA Exemption D. Project Plans