Chatsworth Early Education Center New Site
Summary
SCH Number
2024110125
Public Agency
Los Angeles Unified School District
Document Title
Chatsworth Early Education Center New Site
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
11/5/2024
Document Description
The proposed Project will demolish two deteriorated relocatable classroom bungalows (AA-2627 & AA-2677) and replace them with 2 new permanent modular buildings to be used for a new Early Education Center (EEC). The proposed Project will also replace approximately 15,000 square feet of site asphalt paving with new landscaping. The new EEC will be secured with fencing and accessible via the existing driveway along Lurline Avenue and have direct pedestrian access from the sidewalk (Exhibit A). The Board of Education (BOE) approved the Project’s budget of $5,163,799 on October 5, 2023.
As detailed in the Board of Education (BOE) report, the communities served by the Campus have a high need for licensed infant, toddler, and preschool early education programs. The 91311, 91304, 91306, and 91324 zip codes in the neighborhoods of Chatsworth, Canoga Park, Winnetka, and Northridge all lack available preschool spaces for subsidized care programs. Each of these zip codes have up to 1,650 kids ages 2-5 who would be income eligible for a state subsidized program. The proposed Project will provide a new EEC in support of the Early Childhood Education Development (ECED) plan to provide licensed preschool spaces that are needed in the Chatsworth community. The proposed Project will have capacity for approximately 18 infant and 36 toddler students, plus associated staff.
The Project will be implemented pursuant to all applicable State, federal, and local regulations and all applicable Los Angeles Unified School District (LA Unified or District) specifications, standards, and/or guidelines, including those in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the updated Standard Conditions of Approval for District Construction, Upgrade, and Improvements Projects (SC) as adopted by the Board of Education on December 2023. LAUSD’s SCs, design guidelines, and best management practices are designed to be incorporated into the Project design in order to avoid or limit potential adverse impacts associated with the District’s projects. The beneficiaries of this Project are the students, faculty, staff, families, school supporters, and the community at large who may request access to the facilities and grounds of the Campus pursuant to the Civic Center act (CA Ed. Code Sections 38130-38139).
Contact Information
Name
Zulema Renteria
Agency Name
Los Angeles Unified School District
Job Title
Environmental Planning Specialist
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Location
Cities
Los Angeles
Counties
Los Angeles
Regions
Southern California
Other Location Info
The Chatsworth Early Education Center New Site Project (Project) will be located on the approximately 40-acre Chatsworth Charter High School Campus (Campus). The Campus is located on 10117 Lurline Avenue in the City of Los Angeles. It is bound by Lemarsh Street to the north, Lurline Avenue to the east, Vintage Street to the south, and De Soto Avenue to the west. The Project will occur on the northeastern portion of the Campus. The campus is located in an urbanized community primarily consisting of commercial uses, multi-family, and single-family residences.
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
15301, 15302, 15303, 15304, 15311, 15314
Reasons for Exemption
Section 15301 Existing Facilities
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 use beyond that existing at the time of the lead agency’s determination.
The proposed Project will demolish two deteriorated classroom bungalows that were previously used by Chatsworth Charter High School and replace them with 2 new modular buildings to be used for a new EEC. The Project will not generate growth or require the addition or construction of new or expanded facilities. Therefore, the Project fulfills the requirements of CEQA Guidelines Section 15301.
Section 15302 Replacement or Reconstruction
Class 2 consists of replacing or reconstructing existing structures and facilities where the new structure will be located on the same site as the structure replaced and will have substantially the same purpose and capacity as the structure replaced.
The proposed Project will demolish two deteriorated classroom bungalows that were previously used by Chatsworth Charter High School and replace them with 2 new modular buildings to be used for a new EEC. The Project will not result in an increase or alteration of the current use, function, or capacity of the existing Campus. Therefore, the Project fulfills the requirements of CEQA Guidelines Section 15302.
Section 15303 - New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures
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 to the structure.
The proposed Project will demolish two deteriorated classroom bungalows and replace them with 2 new modular buildings. Therefore, the Project satisfies the requirements of CEQA Guidelines Section 15303.
Section 15304 – Minor Alterations to Land
Class 4 consists of minor public or private alterations in the condition of land, water, and/or vegetation which do not involve removal of health, mature, scenic trees expect for forestry or agricultural purposes.
The proposed Project will replace approximately 15,000 square feet of site asphalt paving with new landscaping. Therefore, the Project satisfies the requirements of CEQA Guidelines Section 15304.
Section 15311 – Accessory Structures
Class 11 consists of construction or replacement of minor structures accessory to (appurtenant to) existing commercial, industrial, or institutional facilities, including, but not limited to, on-premises signs and small parking lots.
The proposed Project will demolish and replace two deteriorated classroom bungalows, which are accessory structures within the Campus. These components of the Project qualify as the construction or replacement of minor structures accessory to existing school facilities. These structures are minor accessories to the existing Campus. Therefore, the Project satisfies the requirements of CEQA Guidelines Section 15311.
Section 15314 – Minor Additions to Schools
Class 14 consists of minor additions to existing schools within existing school grounds where the addition does not increase original student capacity by more than 25% or ten classrooms, whichever is less. The addition of portable classrooms is included in this exemption.
The proposed project will demolish two deteriorated classroom bungalows (AA-2627 & AA-2677) and replace them with 2 new modular buildings. The Project will not increase original student capacity by more than 25% or add ten classrooms to the Campus. Therefore, the Project satisfies the requirements of CEQA Guidelines Section 15314.
County Clerk
Los Angeles
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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