Riverside University Health System Department of Public Health (RUHS-PH) Oasis Community Infrastructure Project

2024100078

Riverside County

NOE - Notice of Exemption

10/2/2024

10/2/2024

Mike Sullivan

Riverside County

Facilities Operations Manager

Lead/Public Agency / Project Applicant / Parties Undertaking Project

3450 14th Street, Third Floor
Riverside, CA 92501

(951) 955-8009

msullivan@rivco.org

Oasis del Desierto-Avenue 76/Harrison St; Las Palmitas-66th/Tyler St; Oasis El-74th/Harrison St

92274

755-150-028; 751-070-031; 755-142-016

Categorical Exemption

Class 1 Existing Facilities

This Class 1 categorical exemption includes the operation, repair, maintenance, leasing, or minor alteration of existing public or private structures or facilities, provided the exemption only involves negligible or no expansion of the previous site’s use. The project, as proposed, includes outdoor recreational improvements to the Oasis del Desierto Park, Las Palmitas Elementary School, and Oasis Elementary School so that the facilities can provide more functional outdoor space for the community. The improvements include shade structures, benches, native trees and pollinator garden landscaping that would be within the existing facilities footprints. The use of the facilities would continue to provide public services to the community and would not result in a significant increase in capacity or intensity of use. Therefore, the project is exempt as it meets the scope and intent of the Categorical Exemption identified in Section 15301, Article 19, Categorical Exemptions of the CEQA Guidelines.

Categorical Exemption

Section 15311 Class 11 Accessory Structures

This Class 11 categorical exemption includes the construction, or placement of minor structures accessory to (appurtenant to) existing commercial, industrial, or institutional facilities. The project, as proposed, includes the addition of shade cover structures, benches, native trees and pollinator landscaping at the outdoor recreational areas. These features are new accessory structures to provide shade and increase functionality to the existing outdoor recreational areas. These improvements would be appurtenant to the existing community facilities and will not substantially increase or expand the use of the site; therefore, the project is exempt as the project meets the scope and intent of the Class 11 Exemption identified in Section 15311, Article 19, Categorical Exemptions of the CEQA Guidelines.

Categorical Exemption

Section 15061 (b)(3) Common Sense

In accordance with CEQA, the use of the Common Sense Exemption is based on the “general rule that CEQA applies only to projects which have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment.” State CEQA Guidelines, Section 15061(b) (3). The use of this exemption is appropriate if “it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment.” Ibid. This determination is an issue of fact and if sufficient evidence exists in the record that the activity cannot have a significant effect on the environment, then the exemption applies and no further evaluation under CEQA is required. See No Oil, Inc. v. City of Los Angeles (1974) 13 Cal. 3d 68. The ruling in this case stated that if a project falls within a category exempt by administrative regulation or 'it can be seen with certainty that the activity in question will not have a significant effect on the environment', no further agency evaluation is required. The proposed improvements to the existing facilities will not result in any direct or indirect physical environmental impacts. The improvements would require limited construction activity within the existing sites and would not alter the function or use of the site or have any external physical effects. The improvements are limited to the improvement of existing recreational space with shade structures, benches, native trees, and pollinator landscaping. The site improvements would improve the function of the facilities and the use and operation of the facilities will be substantially similar to the existing use and will not create any new environmental impacts. Therefore, in no way, would the project as proposed have the potential to cause a significant environmental impact and the project is exempt from further CEQA analysis.