Making Green Accessible
Summary
SCH Number
2022050261
Public Agency
California Energy Commission
Document Title
Making Green Accessible
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
5/12/2022
Document Description
The California Energy Commission will provide a grant of $1,000,000 to SoLa Impact Opportunity Zone Fund, LP for feasibility studies, building design, and energy analysis activities only. SoLa Impact proposes a model for low-income communities to build and sustain low-impact, zero-emissions homes. While "green" projects are typically associated with luxury or high-end housing, successfully addressing issues of global climate change and racial income inequality simultaneously requires developers to adopt green building techniques that are accessible to all. SoLa Impact will design a mixed-use development of 50 homes on church-owned land, with approximately 40 rental apartments and 15 townhomes sold at cost to low-income households to build equity and wealth.
Beneficiaries will include future occupants of this development if built. Centered around a mixed-use resilience hub, this project provides benefits and support services to community members, as well as a daycare center and a multi-purpose facility for the church's use. Innovative green technologies combine with an environmental, social, and governance financial structure to establish a self-sustaining, resilient ecosystem.
Contact Information
Name
Molly Mahoney
Agency Name
California Energy Commission
Job Title
Energy Analyst
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Location
Coordinates
Cities
Compton
Counties
Los Angeles
Regions
Southern California
Cross Streets
S Laurel Ave.
Zip
90221
Other Information
506 E Laurel St. Compton 90221
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Statutory Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Cal. Code Regs., tit. 14, §15262
Reasons for Exemption
The grant agreement will fund feasibility, design, and planning studies for an all-electric, mixed-use development, which has not been approved, adopted, or funded by the CEC, and which will not result in the adoption of a plan that will have a legally binding effect on later activities. This falls within Cal. Code Regs. tit. 14, § 15262, Feasibility and Planning Studies: The CEC has considered environmental factors.
No construction or changes to the physical environment will be funded by the grant or occur during the design and analysis work. The design activities will take place in existing office buildings, and professionals will visit the proposed development site. Therefore, there is no possibility that the activities may have a significant effect on the environment.
Exempt Status
Other
Type, Section or Code
Cal. Code Regs., tit. 14, §15061(b)(3)
Reasons for Exemption
No construction or changes to the physical environment will be funded by the grant or occur during the design and analysis work. The design activities will take place in existing office buildings, and professionals will visit the proposed development site. Therefore, there is no possibility that the activities may have a significant effect on the environment.
The grant agreement is covered by the common sense exemption that CEQA applies only to projects which have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment. Where it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment, the activity is not subject to CEQA. This falls within Cal. Code Regs. tit. 14, § 15061(b)(3), Common Sense Exemption.
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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