Transportation and Land Management Agency- Aviation Division (TLMA-Aviation): Approval of the Jacqueline Cochran Regional Airport Ground Lease Agreement betwee
Summary
SCH Number
2026020112
Public Agency
Riverside County
Document Title
Transportation and Land Management Agency- Aviation Division (TLMA-Aviation): Approval of the Jacqueline Cochran Regional Airport Ground Lease Agreement betwee
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
2/4/2026
Document Description
The County of Riverside (“County”) owns a 7.5-acre aeronautical use parcel at the Jacqueline Cochran Regional Airport in the unincorporated community of Thermal, California (“Premises”). The Premises is located in a prime location of the Airport facing the main Runway 17/35, on the corner of the airport heavy ramp and Taxiway A. To secure a long-term tenant and encourage development, the County initiated a competitive solicitation process through a Request for Proposal.
On February 10, 2023, the County’s Transportation and Land Management Agency, Aviation Division (“Aviation”), issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the lease, development, and operation of the Premises. Following review and evaluation, Desert Jet was selected to move forward with negotiations of a long-term lease, and was provided an award letter on March 22, 2023.
Aviation negotiated the Jacqueline Cochran Regional Airport Ground Lease Agreement (“Lease”) with Desert Jet. The Lease will have an initial term of thirty (30) years and shall commence upon the execution of the Lease by the County. The lease also provides for the future development of two 30,987 square foot hangars, and an approximate 316,600 square foot apron.
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 Lease Agreement is limited to Desert Jet’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
TMLA Regional Office Manager
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Email
Location
Cities
Thermal
Counties
Riverside
Regions
Southern California
Parcel #
759-060-018
Other Location Info
Jacqueline Cochran Regional Airport, Assessor Parcel Number 759-060-018 (a portion)
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Other
Type, Section or Code
15061(b)(3)
Reasons for Exemption
State CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3), General Rule or “Common Sense” Exemption. Codified under California Code of Regulations Title 14, Article 5, Section 15061.
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 15061. 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 a 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 proposed project is limited to the approval of the Ground Lease and does not allow for any construction activity, change in use, or any other condition that may lead to a direct or indirect physical environmental impact at this time. A meaningful evaluation of impacts resulting from the lease cannot occur until such effects are reasonably foreseeable through design of the improvements. Additional CEQA review will be undertaken upon completion of design and as part of the approval of the development.
County Clerk
Riverside
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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