RUHS CPC Emergency Inventory and Cleanup Project
Summary
SCH Number
2024120137
Public Agency
Riverside County
Document Title
RUHS CPC Emergency Inventory and Cleanup Project
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
12/4/2024
Document Description
On August 27, 2024, and during the night, a vehicle struck a fire hydrant on Hospital Drive, the road leading to the main County hospital complex in Moreno Valley. The resulting release of water flooded the surrounding area including the Campus Professional Center (CPC) located at 14375 Nason Street in Moreno Valley. The CPC is an office facility that is leased by the County for use primarily by Riverside University Health System (RUHS). By the time the water had been shut-off to the facility, water had accumulated around the perimeter of the building and seeped into the CPC affecting two office suites.
As part of the restoration and insurance process, RUHS and Occupational Health, the affected occupants, immediately began inventorying and removing damaged furniture and contents. This building is a leased facility, and the landlord is responsible for the building and the physical improvements, and the County is responsible for its furniture and contents. The remediation of the water damage is identified as the proposed project under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The operation of the facility will continue to provide public services and will not result in a change or expansion of existing use. No additional direct or indirect physical environmental impacts are anticipated.
Contact Information
Name
Mike Sullivan
Agency Name
Riverside County
Job Title
Facilities Operations Manager
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency / Project Applicant / Parties Undertaking Project
Phone
Email
Location
Cities
Moreno Valley
Counties
Riverside
Regions
Citywide
Zip
92553
Parcel #
486-280-028
Other Location Info
14375 Nason Street, north of Cactus Avenue
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Section 15301 Class 1 Existing Facilities
Reasons for Exemption
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, is limited to the water remediation to the RUHS-CHC affected areas to prevent operational failure. The use of the facilities would continue to provide public services 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.
Exempt Status
Other
Type, Section or Code
Section 15061 (b)(3) Common Sense
Reasons for Exemption
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. With certainty, there is no possibility that the project may have a significant effect on the environment. The proposed cleanup of the affected areas will not result in any direct or indirect physical environmental impacts. The improvements would occur within existing facility, would not alter the footprint and are being completed to create a compliant and safe health facility. The use of the facility for public health services would remain unchanged. 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.
County Clerk
Riverside
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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