GILLESPIE FIELD – NEW 50-YEAR AVIATION LEASE WITH MITRE AVIATION, L.P. AND RELATED CEQA EXEMPTION (DISTRICT: 2)
Summary
SCH Number
2025081224
Public Agency
San Diego County
Document Title
GILLESPIE FIELD – NEW 50-YEAR AVIATION LEASE WITH MITRE AVIATION, L.P. AND RELATED CEQA EXEMPTION (DISTRICT: 2)
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
8/27/2025
Document Description
The proposed action consists of the approval of a new 50-year lease with Mitre Aviation, L.P. (lessee). The new lease would allow the tenant to continue operations at Gillespie Field, with the leasehold area and ground rent schedules remaining consistent with the current lease. Under the new lease, the lessee plans to modernize its aging hangars, improve its ramps and taxiways, and make energy-efficient upgrades including adding solar panels, Light Emitting Diode (LED) lighting, and an energy-efficient Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system. Future capital improvements that would be subsequently proposed by the lessee and approved by the Director of Airports would be subject to the CEQA review, as applicable. This new Aviation Lease would commence on September 1, 2025, and terminate on August 31, 2075.
Contact Information
Name
Jamie Abbott
Agency Name
County of San Diego
Job Title
Director of Airports
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Address
Phone
Location
Cities
El Cajon
Counties
San Diego
Regions
Southern California
Other Location Info
The project is located at Gillespie Field Airport in the City of El Cajon within San Diego County, California
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Section G 15301
Reasons for Exemption
Section 15301 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines exempts from CEQA review actions consisting 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 existing or former use.” The key consideration in applying this exemption is whether the proposed action involves expansion of an existing use. The proposed action involves approval of a new lease with an existing lessee, but continuation of existing use of facilities and business operations, involving no or negligible expansion of use, and is, accordingly, exempt from CEQA review pursuant to Section 15301 of the CEQA Guidelines. Any future capital improvements that would be subsequently proposed by the lessee and approved by the Director of Airports would be subject to the CEQA review, as applicable.
County Clerk
San Diego
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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