City Hall Refurbishment and Safety Project Phase 5

2026061020

City of Laguna Woods

NOE - Notice of Exemption

6/23/2026

6/23/2026

Justin Faylona

City of Laguna Woods

Senior Planner

Lead/Public Agency / Project Applicant

24264 El Toro Road
Laguna Woods, CA 92637

(949) 639-0561

jfaylona@lagunawoods.gov

92637

621-121-29

The project is located at Assessor’s Parcel Number (“APN”) 621-121-29 on the south side of El Toro Road east of Moulton Parkway. The specific address is: 24264 El Toro Road Laguna Woods, CA 92637.

Categorical Exemption

Class 1 & Class 2; Title 14, Section 15301, Existing Facilities & Section 15302 (Replacement or Reconstruction)

CLASS 1 The project is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to California Code of Regulations, Title 14 (the State CEQA Guidelines) Section 15301 (Class 1, Existing Facilities). Section 15301 exempts from environmental review the “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 existing or former use.” Subsection (a) of Section 15301 provides the following as non-exclusive examples of types of “existing facilities”: “Interior or exterior alterations involving such things as interior partitions, plumbing, and electrical conveyances.” Subsection (d) of Section 15301 provides the following as non-exclusive examples of types of “existing facilities”: “Restoration or rehabilitation of deteriorated or damaged structures, facilities, or mechanical equipment to meet current standards of public health and safety, unless it is determined that the damage was substantial and resulted from an environmental hazard such as earthquake, landslide, or flood.” The project consists only of repairs, minor alterations, and maintenance of the existing Laguna Woods City Hall, including, but not limited to, selective demolition; interior improvements to City Hall, including new walls, ceilings, doors, glazing, finishes, and millwork; lighting, electrical, audiovisual, plumbing, and HVAC improvements; accessibility and safety improvements; structural support for rooftop equipment; all related work necessary to provide a complete and operational project, including coordination with City-furnished equipment, testing, and commissioning; and, other accessibility, functionality, safety, and security-related work. The project includes restoration and rehabilitation work related to deterioration of the existing Laguna Woods City Hall to meet current standards of public health and safety including, but not limited to, the California Building Standards Code. The project does not expand the existing or former use of Laguna Woods City Hall. The project does not address any substantial damage or damage resulting from an environmental hazard such as earthquake, landslide, or flood. Based on the scope of work, the project meets the criteria for Class 1 categorical exemption. CLASS 2 The project is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to California Code of Regulations, Title 14 (the State CEQA Guidelines) Section 15302 (Class 2, Replacement or Reconstruction). Section 15302 exempts from environmental review the “replacement or reconstruction of 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.” Subsection (c) of Section 15302 provides the following as non-exclusive examples of types of “replacement or reconstruction”: “Replacement or reconstruction of existing utility systems and/or facilities involving negligible or no expansion of capacity.” The project includes the replacement or reconstruction of existing utility systems and/or facilities including, but not limited to, communications, electricity, and water utilities and facilities. Such replacement or reconstruction is principally intended to appropriately deploy existing utilities to the interior space at City Hall that will be reconfigured as part of this project, as well as address instances of efficiency, deterioration, and compliance with the California Building Standards Code. Once replaced and reconstructed, any expansion of the capacity of such systems and facilities will be negligible. The project does not seek to expand the capacity of such systems and facilities except as may be necessary to ensure that the existing Laguna Woods City Hall remains accessible, functional, safe, and secure for employees, visitors, and other persons. Based on the scope of work, the project meets the criteria for Class 2 categorical exemption.