Highgrove Norton Younglove Community Center Restroom and Site Improvements

2026061016

Riverside County

NOE - Notice of Exemption

6/23/2026

6/23/2026

Mike Sullivan

Riverside County

Senior Environmental Planner/Facilities Operations Manager

Lead/Public Agency / Project Applicant / Parties Undertaking Project

3450 14th Street, Third Floor
Riverside, CA 92501

(951) 955-8009

msullivan@rivco.org

459 Center Street, east of Michigan Avenue

92507

255-080-041

I-215

Categorical Exemption

Section 15301 Class 1 Existing Facilities

This Class 1 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, is limited to minor interior improvements at an existing facility, consisting of the remodel of men’s and women’s restrooms, replacement of exterior roll-up door covering the building’s main electrical service, installation of a poured-in-place rubber surface for the existing playground, expansion of playground slab, concrete and curb, umbrella shades and tree removal, and installation of a drinking fountain on the exterior of the portable building. The minor improvements within the existing footprint of the Highgrove Community Center facility would result in the continued provision public services and would not result in a significant increase in capacity or intensity of use. 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.

Categorical Exemption

Section 15311 Accessory Structures

This Class 11 categorical exemption includes the construction, or placement of minor structures accessory to (appurtenant to) existing commercial, industrial, or institutional facilities. The project, as proposed, includes installation of a poured-in-place rubber surface for the existing playground, expansion of playground slab, concrete and curb, umbrella, and installation of a drinking fountain on the exterior of the portable building. These improvements would be appurtenant to the existing Community Center and will not substantially increase or expand the use of the site; therefore, the project is exempt as the project meets the scope and intent of the Class 11 Exemption identified in Section 15311, Article 19, Categorical Exemptions of the CEQA Guidelines.

Other

Section 15061 (b)(3) Common Sense

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. The proposed the site improvements at the Highgrove Community Center will not result in any direct or indirect physical environmental impacts. The improvements would occur at an existing facility, would not alter the building footprint and are being completed to provide for safe and efficient operation of the public facility. The use of the facility would remain unchanged. 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.