Colfax Elementary School Playground and Campus Exterior Upgrades
Summary
SCH Number
2026020335
Public Agency
Los Angeles Unified School District
Document Title
Colfax Elementary School Playground and Campus Exterior Upgrades
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
2/10/2026
Document Description
The Project will replace approximately 104,000 square feet of paving in the main and kindergarten playgrounds with new asphalt paving with solar reflective coating. The scope of work also includes greening and landscaping throughout the Campus, along with exterior painting of all buildings. Additionally, the Project will provide infrastructure upgrades, including storm drain system improvements and underground utilities, a new trash enclosure and accessibility upgrades (Figure 1). The Los Angeles Unified School District Board of Education approved the Project's budget of $10,151,937on August 22, 2023.
The Project will be implemented pursuant to all applicable State, federal, and local regulations, and all applicable Los Angeles Unified School District (LA Unified) specifications, standards, and/or guidelines, including those in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the updated Standard Conditions of Approval for District Construction, Upgrade, and Improvements Projects (SCs) as adopted by the Board of Education in December 2023. LA Unified’s SCs, design guidelines, and best management practices are designed to be incorporated into the Project design in order to avoid or limit potential adverse impacts associated with the District’s projects.
The beneficiaries of the Project include Colfax ES students, faculty, staff, families, school supporters, and the community at large who may request access to the playground pursuant to the Civic Center Act (CA Ed. Code Sections 38130 - 38139).
Contact Information
Name
Christy Wong
Agency Name
Los Angeles Unified School District
Job Title
CEQA Project Manager
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Location
Cities
Los Angeles
Counties
Los Angeles
Regions
Southern California
Other Location Info
The Colfax Elementary School Playground and Campus Exterior Upgrades Project (Project) will be located on the approximately 8.1-acre Colfax Elementary School campus (Colfax ES or Campus). The Campus is located at 4935 Colfax Avenue in the Valley Village neighborhood in the City of Los Angeles. It is bound by Addison Street to the north, Colfax Avenue to the east, Huston Street to the south, and Morella Avenue to the west. The Campus is located in an urbanized community primarily consisting of residential uses. The Project will occur across the Campus.
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
15301, 15302, 15304
Reasons for Exemption
Section 15301 Existing Facilities
Class 1 consists of 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 use beyond that existing at the time of the lead agency's determination.
The Project will replace approximately 104,000 square feet of paving in the main and kindergarten playgrounds with new asphalt paving with solar reflective coating. The scope of work also includes greening and landscaping throughout the Campus, along with exterior painting of all buildings. Additionally, the Project will provide infrastructure upgrades, including storm drain system improvements and underground utilities, a new trash enclosure and accessibility upgrades. Neither replacement of the paving or any other part of the Project will present a new or expanded use of the Campus. Therefore, the Project satisfies the requirements of CEQA Guidelines Section 15301.
Section 15302 - Replacement or Reconstruction
Class 2 consists of replacing or reconstructing existing structures and facilities where the new structure will be located on the same site as the structure replaced and will have substantially the same purpose and capacity as the structure replaced.
As previously noted, the Project will replace approximately 104,000 square feet of paving in the main and kindergarten playgrounds with new asphalt paving with solar reflective coating. The scope of work also includes greening and landscaping throughout the Campus, along with exterior painting of all buildings. Additionally, the Project will provide infrastructure upgrades, including storm drain system improvements and underground utilities, a new trash enclosure and accessibility upgrades. The Project will not result in an increase or alteration of the current use, function, or capacity of the existing campus. Therefore, the Project fulfills the requirements of CEQA Guidelines Section 15302.
Section 15304 - Minor Alterations to Land
Class 4 consists of minor public or private alterations in the condition of land, water, and/or vegetation which do not involve removal of healthy, mature, scenic trees except for forestry or agricultural purposes.
The Project will repave existing asphalt as well as provide solar reflective coating in playgrounds, greening and landscaping throughout the campus. The Project will not remove healthy, mature, scenic trees. Therefore, the Project fulfills the requirements of CEQA Guidelines Section 15304.
County Clerk
Los Angeles
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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