College of the Redwoods Student Housing Replacement Project
Summary
SCH Number
2026060713
Public Agency
California State Community Colleges
Document Title
College of the Redwoods Student Housing Replacement Project
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
6/16/2026
Document Description
The Redwoods Community College District proposes to replace two aging residence halls on the northern portion of its campus with a new student housing and dining complex. The existing facilities, which currently provide 166 beds and require significant maintenance and seismic upgrades, will be replaced with a modem residence hall designed to accommodate approximately 246 students.and staff. The new building will feature 67 dwelling units in a mix of apartment-style and semi0suite-style configurations, along with shared amenities such as study rooms, social spaces, a student lounge, and laundry facilities. A separate one-story, dining hall and kitchen, totaling approximately 10,000 square feet, will support residential and·campus-wide dining needs.
The project is intended to enhance student access, retention, anµ success by providing safe, affordable, and community oriented housing. Beneficiaries include current and prospective students, campus, staff, and the broader College community; Infrastructure improvements will include new driveways with emergency vehicle access, upgraded utility connections, fire safety systems,.and sustainable stormwater management features such as bioretention areas. Landscaping will preserve existing trees where feasible and introduce new plantings and outdoor amenities to promote
student interaction and recreation.
Contact Information
Name
Julia Morrison
Agency Name
College of the Redwoods
Job Title
Vice President, Administrative Services
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency / Project Applicant / Parties Undertaking Project
Phone
Location
Cities
unincorporated
Counties
Humboldt
Regions
Northern California, Unincorporated
Cross Streets
7351 Tompkins Hill Road, Eureka, CA
Schools
College of the Redwoods
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
14 CCR 15302 (Class 2-Replacerrient or Reconstruction) and 14 CCR 15314 (Class 14-Minor Additions to Schools)
Reasons for Exemption
The project is exempt from CEQA under Class 2 {Section 15302) and Class 14 (Section 15314) Categorical Exemptions of the CEQA Guidelines. The project constitutes replacement of existing student housing to provide earthquake resistant structures on the College campus and does not increase the original student housing capacity beyond Class 2 thresholds. The dining hall and kitchen is a minor addition within the existing College campus and does not increase student capacity beyond· the Class 14 thresholds. Environmental review confirmed no significant effects, and none of the exceptions under Section 15300.2 were found to apply.
The College of the Redwoods is located within the Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zone associated with the Little Salmon Fault. However, multiple studies have identified a fault-free, buildable area on campus where the project will be sited. Geotechnical investigations confirm no Holocene fault displacement or evidence of near-surface fault rupture within the project site, and no active faulting has been observed. The Califomia Geological Survey (CGS) reviewed the project's
engineering geology and seismology considerations and determined that all geologic and seismic issues have been adequately addressed. The project will comply with current seismic safety standards from in the Department of the State Architect and CGS, and construction will follow site-specific recommendations from the geotechnical report, including seismic and foundation criteria, site preparation, and grading. The new residence hall will replace existing student housing with earthquake-resistant structures, enhancing seismic safety at the College campus.
The project.site is a developed softball field and irrigated lawn and does not contain sensitive habitats, critical ·habitat areas, or special-status plant or wildlife habitat. The project does not include tree removal or habitat disruption. No flood hazard zones or conservation plans apply to the area.
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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