Installation of Carport Mounted Solar PV Electricity Generation Systems
Summary
SCH Number
2020080487
Public Agency
Palo Verde Unified School District
Document Title
Installation of Carport Mounted Solar PV Electricity Generation Systems
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
8/27/2020
Document Description
Nature - Under an ECAA-ED Loan Agreement Palo Verde Unified School District seeks to install solar PV systems on open-rack carport structures at two school sites: a 582 kW system at Palo Verde High School and a 295 kW system at Felix J. Appleby Elementary. Each of the systems will be installed in existing parking areas. Purpose - The purpose of the project is to invest in self-generation as a hedge against rising utility costs. Beneficiaries of the Project - The students and staff at Palo Verde USD will benefit from a smaller fraction of the general fund being spent on utilities. Funding can be re-purposed such that it directly supports the education of the students. The community will also benefit in that property taxes paid for the support of the local education agency can be used more effectively towards the goal of student academic growth.
Contact Information
Name
Meliton Sanchez
Agency Name
Palo Verde Unified School District
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Name
Agency Name
Palo Verde Unified School District (ECAA-Ed loan applicant)
Contact Types
Project Applicant
Location
Cities
Blythe
Counties
Riverside
Other Location Info
Palo Verde High, 667 N. Lovekin Blvd. Blythe, CA 92225; Felix J. Appleby Elementary, 10321 Vernon Ave. Blythe, CA 92225
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
15301, Class 1; 15303, Class 3
Reasons for Exemption
In accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act, this project is Categorically Exempt from CEQA review pursuant to section 15301 (Existing Facilities) and 15303 (New Construction/Conversion of Small Structures). Section 15301, Class 1 consists of the operation, repair, maintenance, permitting, leasing, licensing, or minor alteration of existing public or private structures, facilities, mechanical equipment, or topographical features, involving negligible or no expansion of the existing or former use. Section 15303, Class 3 consists of construction and location of limited numbers of new, small facilities or structures; installation of small new equipment and facilities in small structures, and the conversion of existing small structures from one use to another where only minor modifications are made in the exterior of the structure. The proposal for Palo Verde Unified School District meets the requirements of the exemption; therefore, no further CEQA review is required. In addition to the categorical exemptions, CEQA Guidelines Section 21080.35 provides that solar energy systems installed on the roof of an existing building or on an existing parking lot are statutorily exempt from CEQA. The structures installed over the existing parking lots will not alter or expand the use of the parking lots. Further, a detailed review of the exceptions in subsections (d) and (e) which negate this statutory exemption confirmed that none of the exceptions apply to the proposed spaces, and therefore the district qualifies for statutory exemption 21080.35 as well.
Exempt Status
Statutory Exemption
Type, Section or Code
21080.35
Reasons for Exemption
In accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act, this project is Categorically Exempt from CEQA review pursuant to section 15301 (Existing Facilities) and 15303 (New Construction/Conversion of Small Structures). Section 15301, Class 1 consists of the operation, repair, maintenance, permitting, leasing, licensing, or minor alteration of existing public or private structures, facilities, mechanical equipment, or topographical features, involving negligible or no expansion of the existing or former use. Section 15303, Class 3 consists of construction and location of limited numbers of new, small facilities or structures; installation of small new equipment and facilities in small structures, and the conversion of existing small structures from one use to another where only minor modifications are made in the exterior of the structure. The proposal for Palo Verde Unified School District meets the requirements of the exemption; therefore, no further CEQA review is required. In addition to the categorical exemptions, CEQA Guidelines Section 21080.35 provides that solar energy systems installed on the roof of an existing building or on an existing parking lot are statutorily exempt from CEQA. The structures installed over the existing parking lots will not alter or expand the use of the parking lots. Further, a detailed review of the exceptions in subsections (d) and (e) which negate this statutory exemption confirmed that none of the exceptions apply to the proposed spaces, and therefore the district qualifies for statutory exemption 21080.35 as well.
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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