Title
Referral of Marine Activities Permit Application to Harbor Commission
Recommendation
SoCal Cycleboats Inc., a commercial operation interested in providing a human powered multi-passenger cycleboat experience on the waters of Newport Harbor, has submitted a Marine Activities Permit Application for consideration. Since no similar business currently operates in the Harbor, there is no basis of comparison for staff to evaluate if this operation will adversely affect the health, safety or welfare of those who use, enjoy, or own property near Newport Harbor. As such, the Harbormaster is referring the application to the Harbor Commission for their recommendation, as to whether or not a Marine Activities Permit should be issued for this type of operation (such referrals for Harbor Commission consideration are provided for in NBMC Section 17.10.050).
Recommendation:
1) Find this action exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2) (the activity will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment) and 15060(c)(3) (the activity is not a project as defined in Section 15378) of the CEQA Guidelines, California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Chapter 3, because it has no potential for resulting in physical change to the environment, directly or indirectly.
2) Provide staff direction regarding the request for issuance of a Marine Activities Permit for the SoCal Cycleboats Inc. proposal, subject to any additional approvals from other City Departments or outside agencies with authority over the proposed business.