Highgrove Norton Younglove Community Center Tenant Improvements
Summary
SCH Number
2025071334
Public Agency
Riverside County
Document Title
Highgrove Norton Younglove Community Center Tenant Improvements
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
7/31/2025
Document Description
The Highgrove Norton Younglove Community Center (Center) is located at 459 Center Street in Riverside, California, 92507. The Center opened its doors in 1996 to provide services to the poverty driven community. Throughout the years, the Center expanded and serves as a centralized cooling and warming center, provides senior lunch programs, food distribution, fitness programs and organizes seasonal activities for all age groups. The Norton Younglove Community Center has not received significant improvements for close to 30 years and is in need of modernization, safety and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance renovation.
On October 1, 2024 (Item 3.51), the Board of Supervisors (Board) District 1 approved the use of Non-EO Operations Fund for building improvements to the Highgrove Norton Younglove Community Center in the amount of $230,816. On December 17, 2024 (Item 3.38), the Board District 1 approved the use of Highgrove Cannabis DA Funds in the amount of $350,000 for the upgrades to the Center. The scope of work for the Highgrove Norton Younglove TI Project (Project) includes, but is not limited to, replacement of flooring in the restrooms with ceramic tile, the kitchen with quarry tile and the remainder of the facility with LVT; upgrading of the existing HVAC units and replacement of two wall AC units; retrofitting of the existing parking lot pole lights with LED heads, installation of the exterior floodlights to the back patio area; and installation of a new exterior digital messaging sign along the street. The tenant improvements at the existing Highgrove Community Center are identified as the project under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). No direct or indirect physical environmental impacts are anticipated from the tenant improvements.
Contact Information
Name
Mike Sullivan
Agency Name
Riverside County
Job Title
Senior Environmental Planner/Facilities Operations Manager
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency / Project Applicant / Parties Undertaking Project
Phone
Email
Location
Cities
Highgrove, Riverside
Counties
Riverside
Regions
Citywide
Cross Streets
459 Center St/east of Michigan Ave
Zip
92507
Parcel #
255-080-041
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 minor interior improvements at an existing facility. The minor improvements within the existing footprint of the Highgrove Community Center would result in the continued provision 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 the tenant improvements at the Highgrove Community Center will not result in any direct or indirect physical environmental impacts. The improvements would occur at an existing facility, would not alter the building footprint and are being completed to provide for safe and efficient operation of the public facility. The use of the facility 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.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Section 15311 Class 11 Accessory Structures
Reasons for Exemption
This Class 11 categorical exemption includes the construction, or placement of minor structures accessory to (appurtenant to) existing commercial, industrial, or institutional facilities. The project, as proposed, includes the a new sign on the perimeter of the site, replacement of existing lighting with LED lighting, and the addition of exterior floodlights to the bac patio area of the site to provide a visible, safe and secure public gathering place. This improvement would be appurtenant to the existing Community Center and will not substantially increase or expand the use of the site; therefore, the project is exempt as the project meets the scope and intent of the Class 11 Exemption identified in Section 15311, Article 19, Categorical Exemptions of the CEQA Guidelines.
County Clerk
Riverside
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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