Westchester Enriched Sciences Magnets Field Upgrades with Natural Turf & Synthetic Track
Summary
SCH Number
2025100050
Public Agency
Los Angeles Unified School District
Document Title
Westchester Enriched Sciences Magnets Field Upgrades with Natural Turf & Synthetic Track
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
10/1/2025
Document Description
The Project will demolish and remove the existing decomposed granite track; install a new synthetic track, scoreboard, and goal posts; reseed the existing natural grass field; relocate existing batting cages at the existing track and field; install new dugouts and bullpens, backstops. protective netting, scoreboard, portable bleachers, benches, and signage; and reseed the existing grass areas on the softball and baseball fields (Exhibit A). The Board of Education approved the Project’s budget of $9,158,454 on March 12. 2024.
Minor work will include improvements within the Project area to ensure compliance with local, state, and federal requirements including those of the American with Disabilities Act (ADA), Division of State Architect (DSA), California Environmental Quality (CEQA), and Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC).
The Project will be implemented pursuant to all applicable State, federal, and local regulations and all applicable Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) specifications, standards, and/or guidelines, including those in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the updated Standard Conditions of Approval for District Construction, Upgrade, and Improvements Projects (SC) as adopted by the Board of Education on December 12, 2023. LAUSD’s SCs, design guidelines, and best management practices are designed to be incorporated into the Project design in order to avoid or limit potential adverse impacts associated with the District’s projects.
The beneficiaries of the Project include Westchester HS students, faculty, staff, families, school supporters, and the community at large who may request access to the Campus pursuant to the Civic Center Act (CA Ed. Code Sections 38 130 - 38139). The proposed athletic facilities upgrade will support the school’s physical education program, competitive athletic programs and allow the school to host athletic events and other school community events. The upgraded athletic facilities, once completed, will provide modem high—performance athletic facilities that support physical educational programs, student athletic achievement, and competitive athletic programs. In 2023-24, the athletic program of Westchester HS included 295 athletes and 13 sports.
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
Counties
Los Angeles
Regions
Southern California
Other Location Info
The Westchester Enriched Sciences Magnets Field Upgrades with Natural Turf & Synthetic Track (Project) is located at 7400 West Manchester Avenue in the Westchester neighborhood of the City of Los Angeles. It is bound by West Manchester Avenue to the north, Park Hill Drive to the east, West 91st Street to the south, and Redlands Street to the west. The Project will occur on approximately 9.1 acres on the existing track and field, baseball field, and softball field areas of the Westchester Enriched Sciences Magnets campus (Westchester HS or Campus). The Campus is located in an urbanized community primarily consisting of residential, recreational, and institutional uses.
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
15301, 15302, 15303, 15311
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.
The Project will demolish and remove the existing decomposed granite track; install a new synthetic track, scoreboard, and goal posts; reseed the existing natural grass field; relocate existing batting cages at the existing track and field; install new dugouts and bullpens, backstops, protective netting, scoreboard, portable bleachers, benches, and signage; and reseed the existing grass areas on the softball and baseball fields of the existing Campus. The Project will not generate growth or require the addition or construction of new or expanded facilities. Therefore, the Project fulfills the requirements of CEQA Guidelines Section 15301.
Section 15302 — Replacement or Reconstruction
Class 2 consists of replacing or reconstructing 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.
The Project will demolish and remove the existing decomposed granite track; install a new synthetic track, scoreboard, and goal posts; reseed the existing natural grass field; relocate existing batting cages at the existing track and field; install new dugouts and bullpens, backstops, protective netting, scoreboard, portable bleachers, benches, and signage; and reseed the existing grass areas on the softball and baseball fields of the existing Campus. The Project will not result in an increase or alteration of the current use, function, or capacity of the existing Campus. Therefore, the Project fulfills the requirements of CEQA Guidelines Section 15302.
Section 15303 — New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures
Class 3 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 to the structure.
The Project will demolish and remove the existing decomposed granite track; install a new synthetic track, scoreboard, and goal posts; reseed the existing natural grass field; relocate existing batting cages at the existing track and field; install new dugouts and bullpens, backstops, protective netting, scoreboard, portable bleachers, benches, and signage; and reseed the existing grass areas on the softball and baseball fields of the existing Campus that qualify as small facilities or structures. Therefore, the Project satisfies the requirements of CEQA Guidelines Section 15303.
Section 15311 — Accessory Structures
Class 11 consists of construction or replacement of minor structures accessory to (appurtenant to) existing commercial, industrial, or institutional facilities, including, but not limited to, on-premise signs and small parking lots.
The Project will demolish and remove the existing decomposed granite track; install a new synthetic track, scoreboard, and goal posts; reseed the existing natural grass field; relocate existing batting cages at the existing track and field; install new dugouts and bullpens, backstops, protective netting, scoreboard, portable bleachers, benches, and signage; and reseed the existing grass areas on the softball and baseball fields of the existing Campus. These structures are minor accessories to the existing Campus. Therefore, the Project satisfies the requirements of CEQA Guidelines Section 15311.
County Clerk
Los Angeles
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
Disclaimer: The Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation (LCI) accepts no responsibility for the content or accessibility of these documents. To obtain an attachment in a different format, please contact the lead agency at the contact information listed above. For more information, please visit LCI’s Accessibility Site.