Community Partner Greening Projects at eight LA Unified Campuses
Summary
SCH Number
2024120299
Public Agency
Los Angeles Unified School District
Document Title
Community Partner Greening Projects at eight LA Unified Campuses
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
12/9/2024
Document Description
The scope of the Project consists of the removal of asphalt and replacement with nature-based designs and greening improvements, including installation of accessible path of travel; decomposed granite; tree plantings; outdoor classrooms; gardens; and natural playgrounds at eight Los Angeles Unified School District (LA Unified or District) school campuses; 118th St. Elementary School (ES), Rivera Learning Complex (LC), Harmony ES, Holmes ES, Miramonte ES, Primary Academy, Rosa Parks Learning Center (LC), and Edison Middle School (MS) (Campuses) (Project). This greening project is for planning activities related to potential future green schoolyard improvements at the school (Figures 1 through 8). The community partner proposing the project, the Council of Watershed Health, was awarded a grant in the amount of $1,583,975.87 provided by the State of California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) Resource Management Grant Program. The grant will fund the Project’s planning costs including soils and asphalt testing, underground utility survey, and design up to 50% construction documents. The table below summarizes the various greening improvements that would occur at each school as part of the Project.
The Project will be constructed per DSA-approved plans. The Project will be implemented per all applicable local and State regulations, as well as all District Standards and Specifications; such as those provided in the updated Standard Conditions of Approval for District Construction, Upgrade, and Improvements Projects (SCs) as adopted by the Board of Education in December 2023.
The primary purpose of the Project is to provide greening improvements and to design green schoolyards. The Project would not cause an increase in student capacity or enrollment and would not result in an increase in the intensity of use. The beneficiaries of the Project include students and staff at each of the respective schools and the community at large who may request access to the facilities and grounds of each Campus pursuant to the Civic Center Act (CA Ed. Code Sections 38130 - 38139).
Contact Information
Name
Christy Wong
Agency Name
Los Angeles Unified School District
Job Title
CEQA Project Manager
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Location
Cities
Los Angeles
Counties
Los Angeles
Regions
Southern California
Other Location Info
• 118th Street Elementary School - 144 East 118th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90061
• Diego Rivera Learning Complex – 6100 South Central Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90001
• Harmony Elementary School – 899 East 42nd Place, Los Angeles, CA 90011
• Holmes Avenue Elementary School – 5108 Holmes Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90058
• Miramonte Elementary School – 1400 East 68th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90001
• Primary Academy for Success School – 9075 Willis Avenue, Panorama City, CA 91402
• Rosa Parks Learning Center – 8855 Noble Avenue, North Hills, CA 91343
• Thomas Alva Edison Middle School – 6500 Hooper Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90001
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
15301, 15302, 15304
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 Project consists of the removal of asphalt and replacement with nature-based designs and greening improvements. Such improvements may include installation of accessible path of travel; tree planting; installation of natural playgrounds; installation of shade structures; installation of edible gardens; installation of microforests; installation of decomposed granite areas; installation of planting areas; installation of outdoor classrooms; installation of reading gardens; installation of native habitats; installation of an amphitheater; and installation of rain gardens at eight LA Unified Campuses.
All of the proposed Project components would involve minor alterations to existing public structures and would occur within the area occupied by existing facilities at the Project sites. The Project components would not present a new or expanded use of the Project sites. Therefore, the Project constitutes minor alterations to existing school sites that result in no expansion of use and meets the requirements of CEQA Guidelines Section 15301.
Section 15302 Replacement or Reconstruction
Class 2 consists of replacement or reconstruction of 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 Project includes upgrades or replacement of existing structures and facilities, such as the removal of asphalt and replacement with nature-based designs and greening improvements The Project would not change the location, or the purpose of the structures and facilities being replaced and will not expand the capacity of the Campuses. Therefore, the Project satisfies the requirements of CEQA Guidelines Section 15302.
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 the removal of healthy, mature, scenic trees except for forestry and agricultural purposes.
Construction of the Project will result in the removal of asphalt and the planting of new trees and shrubs on improved greening areas such as native habitats, gardens, and outdoor classrooms on existing Campuses. The Project will include the installation of new vegetation, irrigation, and decomposed granite as part of the Project. Therefore, the Project meets the requirements of CEQA Guidelines Section 15304.
County Clerk
Los Angeles
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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