Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Pedestrian Accessibility Improvement Project: Phase 9 - Expanded Scope
Summary
SCH Number
2025120939
Public Agency
City of Laguna Woods
Document Title
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Pedestrian Accessibility Improvement Project: Phase 9 - Expanded Scope
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
12/19/2025
Document Description
The project involves installing push button assemblies, Accessible Pedestrian Signals ("APS"), and conduit. The work also includes removing and constructing concrete sidewalk panels.
The project is intended to improve accessibility for pedestrians and other users of the public sidewalk system. By improving accessibility, the project will facilitate better management of the public right of way and protect public safety and welfare.
The project is also intended to improve the ease and safety of pedestrian travel, while promoting compliance with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Architectural Barriers Act of 1968, and Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
The improvements are also called for in the General Plan Housing Element as part of Goal H-3 (Administer housing and community development programs and activities in a manner to affirmatively fi1rther fair housing for all persons) and Policy Objective H-3.1 (Enhance access to housing).
Contact Information
Name
Justin Faylona
Agency Name
City of Laguna Woods
Job Title
Senior Planner
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Email
Location
Counties
Orange
Regions
Southern California
Other Information
The project is located within the City of Laguna Woods' public right-of-way in the following locations:
• Intersection of El Toro Road/Calle Sonora
• Intersection of El Toro Road/Home Depot & Town Centre
• Intersection of El Toro Road/Moulton Parkway
• Intersection of Moulton Parkway/Laguna Woods Village Gates 12 & 16
• Intersection of Moulton Parkway/Via Campo Verde
• Intersection of Santa Maria A venue/Moulton Parkway
• Intersection of El Toro Road/Lutheran Church & Catholic Church
• Intersection of El Toro Road/Canyon Wren Lane
• Intersection of El Toro Road/Calle Carta
• Intersection of Moulton Parkway/Calle Cortez
• Intersection of Moulton Parkway Nia Iglesia
• Intersection of Moulton Parkway/Calle Aragon
• Eastbound El Toro Road between the signalized intersection at Home Depot/Town Center and Moulton Parkway
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 1; California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Section 15301, Existing Facilities
Reasons for Exemption
The project is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to California Code of Regulations, Title 14 (the State CEQA Guidelines) Section 15301 (Class 1, Existing Facilities). Section 15301 exempts from environmental review the “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.”
Subsection (c) of Section 15301 provides the following as non-exclusive examples of types of “existing facilities,” “Existing highways and streets, sidewalks, gutters, bicycle and pedestrian trails, and similar facilities (this includes road grading for the purpose of public safety, and other alterations such as the addition of bicycle facilities, including but not limited to bicycle parking, bicycle-share facilities and bicycle lanes, transit improvements such as bus lanes, pedestrian crossings, street trees, and other similar alterations that do not create additional automobile lanes).”
Subsection (d) of Section 15301 provides the following as non-exclusive examples of types of “existing facilities”: “Restoration or rehabilitation of deteriorated or damaged structures, facilities, or mechanical equipment to meet current standards of public health and safety, unless it is determined that the damage was substantial and resulted from an environmental hazard such as earthquake, landslide, or flood.”
Subsection (f) of Section 15301 provides the following as non-exclusive examples of types of “existing facilities”: “Addition of safety or health protection devices for use during construction of or in conjunction with existing structures, facilities, or mechanical equipment, or topographical features including navigational devices.”
The project consists only of repair, maintenance, and minor alteration work within the City of Laguna Woods’ public right-of-way for existing public streets and arterial highways. The project does not expand the existing or former use of any public street or arterial highway. Push button assemblies and APS will be installed only where crosswalks already exist; no new crosswalks will be added. Concrete sidewalk panels will be removed and constructed where concrete sidewalks already exist. No new sidewalks will be added. The push button assemblies and APS are intended to improve ease of use and safety for individuals in wheelchairs, scooters, golf carts, and similar modes of transportation, as well as individuals with access and functional needs. The project will enhance the accessibility of existing facilities for the purpose of protecting public safety and welfare.
Based on the scope of work, the project meets the criteria for Class 1 categorical exemption.
County Clerk
Orange
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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