Expanded Learning Opportunities Program (ELOP) Greening with Removal of Portable Classroom Buildings Project at Seven (7) Los Angeles Unified Campuses
Summary
SCH Number
2025050110
Public Agency
Los Angeles Unified School District
Document Title
Expanded Learning Opportunities Program (ELOP) Greening with Removal of Portable Classroom Buildings Project at Seven (7) Los Angeles Unified Campuses
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
5/2/2025
Document Description
The proposed Project (Project) consists of the design and construction of outdoor learning spaces including installation of trees, plants, natural turf, and decomposed granite and removal of single-story portable classrooms on seven Los Angeles Unified School District (District or LA Unified) elementary school campuses. The Projects will be individually designed on each Campus, but will include a mix of the following components:
-Removal of portable classroom building and asphalt footprint and installation of green/natural landscaped areas(grass, irrigation, and trees) or hardscaped area.
-Abatement of hazardous materials as necessary
-Disconnection of high-voltage and low-voltage utilities, and sewage and water lines
On September 27, 2022, the Board of Education adopted the Equitable Funding and Expansion of Green Spaces across District Campuses resolution which emphasizes that any future portable removal efforts must also include the?integration of green or natural spaces. On June 25, 2024, the Board of Education adopted the 2024-25 Budget for LA Unified. This budget included ELOP funding to provide expanded learning opportunities for before school, after school, summer, or intersession learning programs that are student-centered and focused on developing the academic, social, emotional, and physical needs and interests of students through hands-on, engaging learning experiences. The budget includes specific allocations for some ELOP items, such as $10 million for playground restoration projects and $12.1 million for campus lighting projects, as well as additional ELOP funds of nearly $231 million.
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 LA Unified’s Subsequent Program Environmental Impact Report for the School Upgrade Program (Subsequent PEIR).1 The purpose of the Project is to facilitate removal of portable classrooms pursuant to State and District policies and to provide outdoor learning experiences. The Project will 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 the Campuses pursuant to the Civic Center Act (CA Ed. Code Sections 38130 - 38139).
Contact Information
Name
Bryan Ramos Fernandez
Agency Name
Los Angeles Unified School District
Job Title
CEQA Project Manager
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Location
Cities
Los Angeles, Maywood, South Gate
Counties
Los Angeles
Regions
Southern California
Other Location Info
Coldwater Canyon Elementary School, 6850 Coldwater Canyon Avenue, North Hollywood, CA
Dorris Place Elementary School, 2225 Dorris Place, Los Angeles, CA
Fishburn Avenue Elementary School, 5701 Fishburn Avenue, Maywood, CA
Harbor City Elementary School, 1508 W. 254th Street, Harbor City, CA
Liberty Boulevard Elementary School, 2728 Liberty Boulevard, South Gate, CA
Rowan Avenue Elementary School, 600 S. Rowan Avenue, Los Angeles, CA
Sylmar Elementary School, 13291 Phillippi Avenue, Sylmar, CA
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
CEQA Guidelines Section 15301 – Existing Facilities, CEQA Guidelines Section 15304 – Minor Alterations to Land
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.
Construction of the Project will result in the planting of new trees and shrubs on improved ground surface areas and removal of portable classroom buildings and asphalt within their existing building footprints at existing Campuses. As such, the Project would constitute operation, repair, maintenance, and minor alteration of existing public facilities involving no expansion of the facilities’ use. All proposed Project components would involve minor alterations to existing Campuses and will occur within the area occupied by existing facilities at each Campus. The Project components will not present a new or expanded use of the Campuses. 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 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 planting of new trees and shrubs on improved ground surface areas and removal of portable classroom buildings and asphalt within their existing building footprints at existing Campuses. As such, removal of scenic trees will not be required as a part of the Project. The Project will include the installation of new vegetation, irrigation, and decomposed granite as part of the ELOP Projects. Therefore, the Project meets the requirements of CEQA Guidelines Section 15304.
County Clerk
Los Angeles
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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