Districtwide Datacenter Consolidation - Omega Project
Summary
SCH Number
2025090528
Public Agency
Los Angeles Community College District
Document Title
Districtwide Datacenter Consolidation - Omega Project
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
9/11/2025
Document Description
Los Angeles Community College District ("LACCD") is consolidating most administrative and educational systems at two district-wide Data Centers. One of the two datacenter buildings already exists on the Valley College campus and is commonly referred to as the Omega Datacenter. This project will upgrade the Omega Data Center to Tier III which involves (1) renovating the existing building without increasing its footprint, and (2) upgrading/replacing mechanical/electrical systems; as well as (3) constructing improvements to the appurtenant area to make way for a large mobile diesel generator for redundant power in the event of a power outage ("Datacenter" and/or "Project").
Contact Information
Name
Marina Melikyan
Agency Name
BDG LAW GROUP, APLC c/o LA Community College District
Job Title
Attorney
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency / Project Applicant
Phone
Email
Location
Counties
Los Angeles
Regions
Citywide, Southern California
Other Location Info
5800 Fulton Avenue, Van Nuys, CA 91401
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
14 CCR Section 15301, 14 CCR Section 15302, and 14 CCR Section 15303
Reasons for Exemption
CEQA categorical exemption 1, also known as the "existing facilities" exemption, applies to the operation, maintenance, repair, or minor alteration of existing facilities, structures, mechanical equipment, or topographical features. This exemption applies when there is no or negligible expansion of the existing or former use. The exemption itself provides examples of the types of projects it covers, including, but not limited to (1) " ... utilities used to provide electric power, natural gas, sewerage, or other public utility services", (2) "restoration or rehabilitation of ... mechanical equipment to meet current standards of public health and safety ... ", and (3) installation ... of a steam sterilization unit for the treatment of medical waste .... " (14 CCR 15301 ). The Project involves the (1) renovation/upgrade of the existing building without increasing its footprint, and (2) upgrading/replacing mechanical/electrical systems; as well as (3) constructing improvements to the appurtenant area and topography to make way for a large mobile diesel generator for redundant power in the event of a power outage.
An additional CEQA exemption that applies to the Project is the Class 2 exemption, which consists of the replacement or reconstruction of existing structures and facilities where the new structure will be located on the same site as the structure replaced and will have substantially the same purpose and capacity as the structure replaced. (14 CCR 15302). Replacement structures and facilities do not need to have the exact same footprint as prior structures and facilities; instead, it is sufficient if it is located on the same overall project site. (Dehne v. County of Santa Cruz (1981) 115 Cal. App. 3d. 827, 837). This exemption includes, but not limited to (1) "replacement or reconstruction of existing schools ... to provide earthquake resistant structures which do not increase capacity more than 50 percent", (2) "replacement of a commercial structure with a new structure of substantially the same size, purpose, and capacity", (3) "replacement or reconstruction of existing utility systems and/or facilities involving negligible or no expansion of capacity", and (4) conversion of overhead electric utility distribution system facilities to underground including connection to existing overhead electric utility distribution lines ... " (14 CCR 15302). As this Project involves the (1) renovation/upgrade of the existing building without increasing its footprint, and (2) upgrading/replacing mechanical/electrical systems, the exemption found at 14 CCR 15302 also applies to the Project.
The Class 3 exemption consists of 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. Examples of this exemption include but are not limited to, (1) "water main, sewage. electrical, gas, and other utility extensions, including street improvements ... ," (2) "accessory (appurtenant) structures including garages, carports, patios, swimming pools, and fences", and (3) "an accessory steam sterilization unit for the treatment of medical waste ... ". (14 CCR 15303) The Project involves constructing improvements to the appurtenant areas of the Project to make way for a mobile diesel generator for redundant power in the event of a power outage. This kind of construction of a structure appurtenant to the main structure is covered by this exemption.
County Clerk
Los Angeles
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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