Radio Tower Improvements Project
Summary
SCH Number
2025080498
Public Agency
Irvine Ranch Water District
Document Title
Radio Tower Improvements Project
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
8/13/2025
Document Description
The project involves installation of two radio towers and two monopoles along with associated site improvements, as described below. The purposes of the project are to improve IRWD’s existing radio communication infrastructure (which has been detrimentally affected due to radio and physical interference), provide reliable communications during emergency events, and future-proof IRWD’s remote communication capabilities.
IRWD Dyer Road Initial Disinfection Facility Site: The project includes installation of a new 80-foot self-supporting radio tower and communication panel (with air conditioning unit) to replace the nearby existing 45-foot monopole at IRWD’s Dyer Road Initial Disinfection Facility site. New electrical conduits would be installed between the new communication panel and the existing panels located in the electrical room of the Initial Disinfection Facility; these conduits would be located underground and along the exterior and interior walls of the building. A new tower grounding system would be installed with grounding wells and would be bonded to the existing building grounding system. During construction, a portion of the existing perimeter chain fence would be replaced with a sliding gate to allow for equipment access, and the fence would be restored upon completion of construction.
IRWD Coastal Zones 6 and G Reservoirs (Signal Peak) Site: The project includes installation of a new 90-foot self-supporting radio tower and communication panel (with air conditioning unit) adjacent to IRWD’s Coastal Zones 6 and G Reservoirs. This site already contains multiple existing communication towers owned by utility carriers, the County of Orange, and other agencies. Minor underground piping and electrical conduits may need to be re-routed to accommodate the tower foundation. New underground electrical conduits would be installed between the new communication panel and the existing panel located in IRWD’s existing Chlorine Building and would require trenching through the existing paved road on site. A new tower grounding system would be installed with grounding wells, and a new shade structure would be installed for the communication panel. In addition, the IRWD existing antenna on the MCI Communications tower would be relocated to the new tower.
IRWD Well 76 Site: The project includes installation of a new 40-foot monopole to replace the existing 10-foot Yagi antenna at IRWD’s Well 76 site, located in the parking lot of Heritage Community Park. A small section of the existing concrete pad, the existing battery enclosure, and the existing antenna pole at the site would be removed to accommodate the new monopole. One short electrical conduit would be installed between the new monopole and the existing electrical panel entry point. The existing uninterruptible power supply system would be replaced with a new system with increased capacity. The existing grounding ring would be protected in place or restored after the foundation is completed, and the new monopole would be grounded and bonded to the existing grounding system.
Williams Canyon Site: The project includes installation of a new 40-foot monopole and communication panel (with air conditioning unit) at a vacant site within an existing IRWD pipeline and utility easement along Williams Canyon Road in unincorporated Orange County. A Southern California Edison (SCE) meter pedestal would be installed on a concrete pad along with the communication panel next to the new monopole. New underground electrical conduits would be installed between the communication panel and the monopole, and one underground electrical conduit would be installed between the communication panel and the meter pedestal. In addition, an underground electrical conduit crossing Williams Canyon Road would be installed to connect the meter pedestal with the existing SCE utility pole. SCE would install a new pole-mounted transformer with appurtenances at the existing utility pole. A new uninterruptible power supply system, grounding system, and traffic bollard would also be installed.
Contact Information
Name
Emily Le
Agency Name
Irvine Ranch Water District
Job Title
Environmental Compliance Analyst
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency / Parties Undertaking Project
Phone
Email
Location
Cities
Irvine, Newport Beach, Santa Ana, Unincorporated Orange County
Counties
Orange
Regions
Southern California
Cross Streets
See Other Location Info
Zip
See Other
Parcel #
414-131-56; 478-161-16; 867-031-09; 449-021-27
State Highways
I-5, SR 73, I-405
Other Location Info
Cross Streets: South Susan St and Warner Ave, Ridge Park Road and Coastal Peak, Williams Canyon Rd and Santiago Canyon Rd, Yale Ave and Walnut Ave
Zip Codes: 92704, 92657, 92676, 92604
Coordinates: 33.7132, -117.9135; 33.6061, -117.8108; 33.7299, -117.6475; 33.7001, -117.7763
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 3, CEQA Guidelines Section 15303
Reasons for Exemption
The installation of two radio towers and two monopoles along with associated appurtenances and site improvements is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) because the actions will involve the installation of a limited number of new small facilities and the construction of minor structures accessory to existing IRWD facilities for the purpose of improving IRWD’s existing radio communication infrastructure, as authorized under the California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Chapter 3, Section 15303 (Class 3 “New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures”). Class 3 exempts from CEQA review any project involving construction and location of limited numbers of new, small facilities or structures; installation of small new equipment and facilities in small structures; and the conversion of existing small structures from one use to another where only minor modifications are made in the exterior of the structure. In addition, pursuant to Section 15300.2 of Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations, none of the exceptions to the use of a categorical exemption under CEQA are applicable.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 11, CEQA Guidelines Section 15311
Reasons for Exemption
The installation of two radio towers and two monopoles along with associated appurtenances and site improvements is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) because the actions will involve the installation of a limited number of new small facilities and the construction of minor structures accessory to existing IRWD facilities for the purpose of improving IRWD’s existing radio communication infrastructure, as authorized under the California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Chapter 3, Section 15311 (Class 11 “Accessory Structures”). Class 11 exempts from CEQA review any project consisting of construction or placement of minor structures accessory to existing commercial, industrial, or institutional facilities. In addition, pursuant to Section 15300.2 of Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations, none of the exceptions to the use of a categorical exemption under CEQA are applicable.
County Clerk
Orange
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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