Riverside University Health System – Public Health Administration Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Upgrade Project
Summary
SCH Number
2025101444
Public Agency
Riverside County
Document Title
Riverside University Health System – Public Health Administration Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Upgrade Project
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
10/30/2025
Document Description
The Riverside University Health System – Public Health Administration facility is located at 4065 County Circle Drive in Riverside and provides a variety of services to our county residents. The facility has been experiencing continual Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) issues and the systems are no longer cost-effective to maintain. The HVAC system is end of life and over 35 years old and Facilities Management (FM) recommends the equipment be upgraded with energy-efficient equipment that will provide long term cost savings to the County. The scope of work for the RUHS-PH HVAC Upgrade Project (Project) includes but is not limited to: replacement of four (4) air handler systems, exhaust fans and associated ductwork, replacement of heat exchangers, evaporator, coils, condensers, combustion chambers, blower motor and ceiling grills, all of which are to be compatible with existing equipment and systems.
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
Riverside
Counties
Riverside
Regions
Citywide
Cross Streets
4065 County Circle, north of Hole Street
Zip
92503
Parcel #
145-200-017
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 upgrade to the HVAC system at the RUHS-PH Admin facility is needed to maintain an appropriate level of comfort for staff and patrons at the existing facility. The improvements to the existing mechanical system to maintain comfort are interior alteration to existing equipment within the facility would not expand the capacity of the site and would result in the continuation of public services; therefore, the project is exempt as the improvements meet 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 upgrade to the HVAC system at the RUHS-PH Admin facility office will not result in any direct or indirect physical environmental impacts.
County Clerk
Riverside
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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