Approval of a New Hemet Ryan Airport Ground Lease Agreement between the County of Riverside and Cypress Soaring, Inc., including the Expansion of the Leased Pre
Summary
SCH Number
2026010880
Public Agency
Riverside County
Document Title
Approval of a New Hemet Ryan Airport Ground Lease Agreement between the County of Riverside and Cypress Soaring, Inc., including the Expansion of the Leased Pre
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
1/27/2026
Document Description
On August 25, 2022 the County of Riverside (“County”), as Lessor, and Cypress soaring, Inc. (“Lessee”), a non-profit corporation providing sailplane/glider operations, entered into the Hemet Ryan Airport Lease Agreement for sailplane Operations (“Original Lease”). The Original Lease was for a term of three-years and related to the lease of approximately 20,000 square feet of vacant land at the Hemet-Ryan Airport (“Original Leased Premises”). The Original Lease has remained on a month-to-month tenancy since August 31, 2025.
Cypress Soaring has requested a lease renewal and has determined that an expansion of the operational area and the addition of certain key facilities are necessary to ensure the long-term viability and safety of the sailplane program. Therefore, this submittal to the Board is for the approval of a new Hemet Ryan Airport Ground Lease Agreement (the “New Lease”), which supersedes the Original Lease.
The New Lease will provide Cypress Soaring with a 10-year term and will expand their leased premises from 20,000 square feet to approximately 26,500 square feet. The New Lease will also allow Cypress Soaring to place temporary facilities on the leased premises. The temporary facilities will consist two 8’ x 20’ Connex boxes for temporary storage and constructing a 12’ x 20’ commercial grade steel awning.
Approval of the Lease has been identified as a proposed project under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) because a discretionary action is required for approval. Approval of the New Lease is limited to Cypress Soaring’s occupancy of the premises and will not result in any direct effects on the environment. Subsequently, approval of the Lease itself will not result in any significant environmental impacts or include any mitigation measures.
Contact Information
Name
Jose Ruiz
Agency Name
County of Riverside Transportation Department - Aviation Division
Job Title
Manager, Aviation Division
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Email
Location
Cities
Hemet
Counties
Riverside
Regions
Southern California
Parcel #
456-020-002, 456-010-026
Other Location Info
Hemet Ryan Airport, Assessor Parcel Number 456-020-002 and 456-010-026 (a portion)
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
15301
Reasons for Exemption
The proposed project is categorically exempt from the provisions of CEQA specifically by the State CEQA Guidelines as identified below. The project will not result in any specific or general exceptions to the use of the categorical exemption as detailed under State CEQA Guidelines Section 15300.2. The project will not cause an impact to an environmental resource of hazardous or critical concern nor would the project involve unusual circumstances that could potentially have a significant effect on the environment. The project is limited to the approval of ground lease agreement. Furthermore, this project would not result in any physical direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect impacts to the environment.
This 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 project, as proposed, will be consistent with the existing land use and would not result in a physical change to the property. These improvements fall within the criteria identified in Section 15301 (c) and (d) which allow for the repair and maintenance of existing transportation facilities and rehabilitation of structures and facilities to meet standards of health and safety. Therefore, the project is exempt as it meets 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
15061(b)(3)
Reasons for Exemption
The proposed project is categorically exempt from the provisions of CEQA specifically by the State CEQA Guidelines as identified below. The project will not result in any specific or general exceptions to the use of the categorical exemption as detailed under State CEQA Guidelines Section 15300.2. The project will not cause an impact to an environmental resource of hazardous or critical concern nor would the project involve unusual circumstances that could potentially have a significant effect on the environment. The project is limited to the approval of ground lease agreement. Furthermore, this project would not result in any physical direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect impacts to the environment.
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. Approval of the New Lease would result in the same continued operation of the leased premises and will not create any new significant direct or indirect environmental impacts. Therefore, in no way, would the project as proposed have the potential to cause a significant environmental impact and the project is exempt from further CEQA analysis.
County Clerk
Riverside
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.