Conditional Use Permit CUP-2025-0003, a request by The Camino School/St. Nicholas Catholic Church

2026010842

City of Laguna Woods

NOE - Notice of Exemption

1/27/2026

1/27/2026

Justin Faylona

City of Laguna Woods

Senior Planner

Lead/Public Agency

24264 El Toro Road
Laguna Woods, CA 92637

(949) 639-0561

jfaylona@cityoflagunawoods.org

92637

621-121-11

Other

Not Subject to CEQA (Sec. 15060(c)(2); 15060(c)(3))

This project is not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act of 1970, Public Resources Code Section 21000, et. seq., as amended and implementing State CEQA Guidelines, Title 14, Chapter 3 of the California Code of Regulations (collectively “CEQA”) pursuant to sections 15060(c)(2) (the activities will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment) and 15060(c)(3) (the activities are not a project as defined in section 15378) of the CEQA Guidelines, California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Chapter 3. Even if the project were subject to CEQA, it would be categorically exempt pursuant to Section 15301 of Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations, in that it consists of the operation or permitting of existing private structures, facilities, mechanical equipment, or topographical features, involving negligible or no expansion of existing or former use. Section 15301 of Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations states explicitly that the “key consideration [in determining whether such an exemption applies to a project] is whether the project involves negligible or no expansion of use.” The project does not include any construction and only allows the establishment of an educational institution use, alternative provisions to off-street parking regulations resulting in a reduction in available off-street parking stalls during certain hours, and installation of an outdoor shed at the project location. The principal use of the project location is as a church which, in the course of such operation, provides instruction and other group activities substantially similar to those that will be provided in connection with the education institution use. The church also previously operated its own religious school at the project location. Most activities associated with the project will occur within existing structures and facilities (including existing buildings and parking lots) with no change to topographical features. Minor changes to existing structures, facilities, and mechanical equipment may occur in connection with the reclassification of three existing buildings to education occupancies (e.g., installation and/or modification of fire alarm and emergency voice/alarm communication systems). The installation of a new outdoor shed, which may be used by the church and/or the education institution use, will add a new structure to the project location; however, its size (approximately 144 square feet, including both the shed and its concrete pad) is negligible.