Thermal Yard Parking Shade Structure Improvements Project
Summary
SCH Number
2026080929
Public Agency
Riverside County
Document Title
Thermal Yard Parking Shade Structure Improvements Project
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
8/26/2026
Document Description
The County of Riverside Transportation Department (County) is proposing to construct a parking shade structure at its Thermal Maintenance Yard in Thermal, Riverside County. The maintenance yard is located at 86199 Airport Boulevard, approximately 720 feet east of the intersection of Tyler Street and Higgins Drive. The proposed parking shade structure will involve a cantilever structure and will replace the existing pavement surface with reinforced concrete placement. All work will occur within previously disturbed or developed portions of the facility.
Additional improvements include:
• Removal of asphalt concrete pavement and construction of concrete pavement
• Reconstruction of asphalt concrete pavement
• Dewatering of ground water as needed
• Stripping of parking stalls
• Clearing and grubbing of any vegetation (including trees)
• Utility potholing
• Any additional work required to complete the activity, which may include minor construction-related tasks such as installing traffic control, implementing dust-prevention measures, compacting base and asphalt during reconstruction, performing
inspector-directed miscellaneous work, or saw-cutting pavement.
All improvements are proposed within the existing County right of way; therefore, no additional right of way or temporary construction easements or permits will be required to construct the proposed improvements.
Contact Information
Name
Frances Segiovia
Agency Name
County of Riverside TMLA - Transportation Department
Job Title
Environmental Project Manager
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Email
Location
Cities
Thermal
Counties
Riverside
Regions
Southern California
Other Location Info
Thermal Maintenance Yard in the community of Thermal in Riverside County, California.
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Other
Type, Section or Code
15311
Reasons for Exemption
The parking shade structure will be installed by the County, who is a permittee as defined by the CVMSHCP. The project is subject to compliance within the CVMSHCP. In accordance with Section 7 of the CVMSHCP, the construction of the shaded parking structure is a necessary improvement within an existing facility and is considered a covered activity. Additionally, the project is not within any designated Conservation Area, and all work will occur in previously disturbed or developed portions of the facility. This project will comply with the construction guidelines following general Best Management Practices (BMPs).
The Riverside County Transportation Department has found that the above-described project is exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), based on the following:
Section 15311 – Accessory Structures – Installation of a parking shade structure at the Thermal Maintenance Yard is consistent with Categorical Exemption Section 15311, which exempts the construction or placement of minor structures accessory to existing commercial, industrial, or institutional facilities, including but not limited to small parking lots or other facilities designed for public use. The proposed shade structure is a minor, accessary improvement to an existing developed and paved County facility.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
15301
Reasons for Exemption
The parking shade structure will be installed by the County, who is a permittee as defined by the CVMSHCP. The project is subject to compliance within the CVMSHCP. In accordance with Section 7 of the CVMSHCP, the construction of the shaded parking structure is a necessary improvement within an existing facility and is considered a covered activity. Additionally, the project is not within any designated Conservation Area, and all work will occur in previously disturbed or developed portions of the facility. This project will comply with the construction guidelines following general Best Management Practices (BMPs).
The Riverside County Transportation Department has found that the above-described project is exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), based on the following:
Section 15301 – Existing Facilities – After the parking shade structure is installed, the affected area will be repaved. The repaving of the small parking lot at the County’s maintenance yard is consistent with Categorical Exemption Section 15301, which exempts minor alterations of existing facilities. This work constitutes routine maintenance and repair of an existing paved area, involving no expansion of use.
County Clerk
Riverside
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
Disclaimer: The Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation (LCI) accepts no responsibility for the content or accessibility of these documents. To obtain an attachment in a different format, please contact the lead agency at the contact information listed above. For more information, please visit LCI’s Accessibility Site.