Heating, Ventilation, and Air Condition (HVAC) System Upgrade at Diamond Ranch High School Gym

2026070389

Pomona Unified School District

NOE - Notice of Exemption

7/10/2026

7/10/2026

Isela Vazquez

Pomona Unified School District

Chief Facilities Officer

Lead/Public Agency / Project Applicant

800 South Garey Avenue
Pomona, CA 91766

(909) 397-4800 ext. 23634

isela.vazquez@pusd.org

Diamond Ranch Road and Chino Hills Parkway

60 highway

Decker, Ranch Hills, Pantera, and Golden Springs Elementaries

100 Diamond Ranch Road, Pomona, California 91766

Categorical Exemption

Class 1 Section 15301 Existing Facilities; Class 2 Section 15302 Replacement or Reconstruction

The proposed project qualifies for Categorical Exemptions under CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Sections 15301 (Class 1 – Existing Facilities) and 15302 (Class 2 – Replacement or Reconstruction), as set forth below. Class 1 – Existing Facilities (CEQA Guidelines §15301). Section 15301 exempts 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. The project involves the removal of the remaining components of the existing non-operational heating system and installation of a new, energy-efficient HVAC system including heating and cooling units, associated ductwork, controls, and ancillary mechanical components within and adjacent to the existing Diamond Ranch High School gymnasium. The gymnasium is a fully operational public educational facility in active use for physical education, athletics, and school events. The project replaces and upgrades an existing mechanical system serving the same facility; it does not alter the type, intensity, or scope of use of the gymnasium. No expansion of building footprint, floor area, occupant capacity, or use is proposed. All work will occur within or upon the existing developed school site. The replacement and upgrade of existing mechanical equipment in an existing facility with no change in use constitutes a minor alteration under Section 15301 and falls within the Class 1 exemption. Class 2 – Replacement or Reconstruction (CEQA Guidelines §15302). Section 15302 exempts 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. The project involves the removal of the remaining existing non-operational components of the heating system and its replacement with a new, code-compliant HVAC system located within the same facility. Both the existing and proposed systems serve the climate control function of the gymnasium; the proposed system expands that function to include cooling and ventilation in addition to heating. No change in the type, intensity, or scope of use of the gymnasium is proposed, and all work will occur entirely within the boundaries of the existing campus. The replacement of an existing mechanical system with a new system of substantially the same purpose at the same location qualifies under the Class 2 exemption. Exceptions to Categorical Exemption (CEQA Guidelines §15300.2). None of the exceptions set forth in CEQA Guidelines Section 15300.2 apply to this project. The project site is an existing developed school campus and is not located in or near a sensitive environment, scenic highway corridor, or hazardous waste site. The project does not involve the removal of a Landmark, and will not result in cumulative impacts when considered in connection with other projects. No unusual circumstances exist that would give rise to a reasonable possibility of a significant environmental effect. Accordingly, the project is properly exempt from CEQA review.