Indio Fairgrounds Second Modular Restroom Project

2024110277

Riverside County

NOE - Notice of Exemption

11/8/2024

11/8/2024

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

92201

614-040-006

SR-111, I-10

82503 Highway 111, east of Arabia Street

Categorical Exemption

Section 15301 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 existing facility consists of the Indio Desert Expo/Riverside County Fairgrounds that is located on developed County-owned land and is not located on environmentally sensitive land. The improvements to the site would be within the existing facility footprint and would be consistent with the existing land use. No new substantial capacity would be created by the project. The project includes the installation of a restroom, a new prefabricated accessory structure under 2,500 square feet. 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 15303 New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures

This Class 3 exemption includes the 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 exterior of the structure. The existing outdoor area at the Fairgrounds is located on developed County-owned property and is not located on environmentally sensitive land. The improvements to the site would be within the developed area of the existing facility and would be consistent with the existing land use. The project includes the installation of a restroom building at an existing facility. The building has all of the necessary utility connections in place and is less than 2,500 square feet; therefore, the project is exempt as the project meets the scope and intent of the Categorical Exemption identified in Section 15303, Article 19, Categorical Exemptions of the CEQA Guidelines.

Other

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 facility will not result in any direct or indirect physical environmental impacts. The improvements would require limited construction activity within the existing site and would not alter the function or use of the site or have any external physical effects. The improvements are limited to the addition of a small accessory restroom to maintain the function of the facility. The use and operation of the facility 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.