Riverside County Lake Elsinore Library Renovation Project
Summary
SCH Number
2025020114
Public Agency
Riverside County
Document Title
Riverside County Lake Elsinore Library Renovation Project
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
2/5/2025
Document Description
The Riverside County Library System (RCLS) covers the state’s fourth largest geographic library service area, more than 7,000 square miles, and includes thirty-six libraries within the County. The Lake Elsinore Library is located at the Outlets at Lake Elsinore, 17600 Collier Ave., Suite G170 in the City of Lake Elsinore. The library occupies a 6,000 square-foot suite within the Outlets at Lake Elsinore, offering a safe and modern space for patrons and open floor plan. To optimize the space for both patrons and staff, several improvements will be made, including the addition of a staff breakroom, a study room, a branch manager's office, new furniture, and a comprehensive renovation of the existing floor plan to accommodate library services. The renovations at the Lake Elsinore Library are identified as the project under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). No 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
Lake Elsinore
Counties
Riverside
Regions
Citywide
Cross Streets
17600 Collier Avenue/Nichols Rd
Zip
92530
Parcel #
389-210-068, 389-210-063
State Highways
I-15
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 the renovation of the existing facility to maintain and enhance local access. Renovations, which include the addition of a staff breakroom, a study room, a branch manager's office, new furniture, and other minor modifications would not expand the footprint of the facility or increase the capacity of the site. The facility would continue to provide public services and the improvements to the existing facility are exempt as they meet 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 renovation of the library will not result in any direct or indirect physical environmental impacts. The minor modifications would occur within the existing facility and would not expand the building footprint or substantially increase the capacity of the site. 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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