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15350 Sherman Way
Los Angeles, CA, 91406
United States

310-469-6700

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Helping Schools Grow with Confidence: CAJA’s CEQA Approach

Andrea Schultz

At CAJA Environmental Services, we understand the unique challenges and expectations that come with educational development. Whether you're modernizing classrooms, building a new gymnasium, or opening an entirely new campus, the CEQA process for schools requires precision, strategy, and an understanding of education-centered operations.

CAJA

is

Modeling Excellence

Whether you're modernizing classrooms, building a new gymnasium, or opening an entirely new campus, the CEQA process for schools requires precision, strategy, and an understanding of education-centered operations.

Your mission is education.
Ours is making the path to approval smoother.

Let’s chat about how our team can support your next school project.

Expertise in School-Specific
CEQA Pathways

CEQA Solutions for Smarter Schools

We’re well-versed in the nuances of CEQA as it applies to K-12 and higher education institutions. We know how to identify and leverage categorical exemptions such as Class 14 (Minor Additions to Schools), and when a full MND or EIR is necessary.

Education-Focused Environmental Analysis

School projects need to be evaluated differently. We tailor our analysis to reflect real-world impacts on students, staff, and the surrounding neighborhood:

  • Traffic and circulation evaluated around bell schedules
    and drop-off/pick-up patterns

  • Noise and air quality studies that focus on
    classroom learning environments

  • Sensitive receptor proximity—we consider student and
    faculty health first

  • Construction-phase mitigation planning that ensures
    educational continuity

  • Land Use Compatibility with surrounding uses and
    potential hazards

Trusted Coordination with Public Agencies

We’ve worked with cities, counties, private schools, charter schools, and local districts throughout California. We help navigate overlapping regulatory frameworks and ensure your CEQA documentation aligns with funding and permitting timelines.

eXAMPLE Projects

CAJA Environmental Services has extensive experience with CEQA compliance for educational institutions. Representative school projects include:

Chaminade College Preparatory School: 

CAJA prepared an MND for the Chaminade College Preparatory School in the City of Los Angeles’ West Hills neighborhood. The Project included the update and expansion of an existing school campus to include a new three-story school building, updated parking areas, remodeled and expanded athletic fields and facilities, new student quads, and renovated classrooms, student service centers and offices. Issues that were analyzed included artificial light impacts from the athletics fields, air quality and noise impacts, drop-off queuing, student/pedestrian access and safety, construction traffic.

Extera Public Schools:

CAJA prepared an MND for the Extera Public Schools in unincorporated Los Angeles County’s East LA area. The Project included the adaptive reuse of an existing building and the construction of a new building for a transitional kindergarten to 8th grade charter school, serving a maximum enrollment of 525 students. Issues that were analyzed included air quality and noise impacts, drop-off queuing, student/pedestrian access and safety, land use compatibility.

Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy: 

CAJA prepared an EIR for the Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy in the City of La Cañada Flintridge. The Project included modernization of the school’s existing campus in an anticipated 15-year Land Use Concept for improvement and modernization of the FSHA Campus as a whole. At buildout of the Project, the total building square footage of the campus would increase from the existing 217,350 square feet to a maximum of approximately 333,502 square feet. Issues that were analyzed included biological impacts, air quality and noise impacts, drop-off queuing, land use compatibility.

GALS Middle School: 

CAJA prepared a Categorical Exemption for the Girls Athletic Leadership School (GALS) in the City of Los Angeles’ Van Nuys neighborhood. The Project the development of a two-story middle school serving a maximum enrollment of 330 students. Issues that were analyzed included biological and tree removal impacts, air quality and noise impacts, construction traffic.

Contact Us:

CAJA Environmental Services, LLC
Chris Joseph | chris@ceqa-nepa.com
Stacie Henderson | stacie@ceqa-nepa.com
Seth Wulkan | seth@ceqa-nepa.com
Kerrie Nicholson | kerrie@ceqa-nepa.com

CAJA’s New Monitoring Services Are Here

Andrea Schultz

Let CAJA Environmental Services
Help You Succeed

Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting under CEQA

Stay Compliant. Stay on Track.

CEQA plays a crucial role in protecting the environment by requiring public agencies to identify and reduce the impacts of development projects. A key part of this process is implementation of the Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program (MMRP), which ensures that the mitigation measures identified in CEQA documents—such as Environmental Impact Reports (EIRs) and Mitigated Negative Declarations (MNDs)—are properly carried out and documented.

CAJA is proud to now offer
comprehensive mitigation monitoring services as part of its
environmental consulting portfolio

With a deep understanding of CEQA requirements CAJA ensures that project mitigation measures are effectively implemented and thoroughly documented throughout construction and operation. By providing experienced on-site monitors and detailed compliance reporting, CAJA helps clients meet regulatory obligations, avoid potential delays, and demonstrate environmental stewardship. This new service reinforces CAJA’s commitment to supporting clients through every stage of the environmental review process from initial analysis to successful project completion through Compliance Oversight, Agency Coordination, Reporting and Documentation, and effective problem-solving.

CAJA is here to help

Mitigation monitoring is not just a regulatory requirement—
it’s a practical tool to

Boots on the ground we are here for you

  • Confirms that mitigation measures are effectively implemented

  • Reduces environmental and legal risks

  • Maintains compliance throughout construction and operation

  • Provides transparency for agencies, developers, and the public

CAJA is a trusted leader in CEQA compliance and environmental consulting. CAJA offers expert mitigation monitoring services
to help clients meet their CEQA obligations smoothly and efficiently.

Here’s How CAJA helps

  • On-Site Compliance Oversight: CAJA conducts site inspections and monitors contractor activities to ensure mitigation measures are implemented as approved.

  • Agency Coordination: CAJA works closely with lead agencies, project teams, and subcontractors to ensure seamless communication and issue resolution.

  • Reporting and Documentation: CAJA prepares detailed compliance reports and maintains records that satisfy agency and legal requirements.

  • Problem-Solving Expertise: If unforeseen issues arise, CAJA helps clients adjust mitigation strategies to stay compliant and keep projects on schedule.

CONTACT US

CAJA Environmental Services, LLC
CAJA’s Leadership Team

Chris Joseph | chris@ceqa-nepa.com
Stacie Henderson | stacie@ceqa-nepa.com
Seth Wulkan | seth@ceqa-nepa.com
Kerrie Nicholson | kerrie@ceqa-nepa.com

First to Navigate LA's Housing Element Streamlining Checklist

Andrea Schultz

At CAJA Environmental Services, we don’t just navigate regulations—we help define them. As the first firm in Los Angeles to work with the City’s Housing Element CEQA Streamlining Checklist, we bring unparalleled expertise to expedite approvals and advance projects efficiently.

Why CEQA Streamlining Matters

The Housing Element CEQA Streamlining Checklist simplifies the environmental review process by demonstrating that project impacts have already been assessed. This provides several key benefits:

  • Time Efficiency: Reduces environmental review time by leveraging existing Program EIR findings.

  • Cost Savings: Minimizes the need for additional environmental documentation, lowering project costs.

  • Predictability: A standardized checklist offers clarity and reduces uncertainties in the approval

Pioneering the CEQA Streamlining Checklist

The 5300 Oakdale Avenue Project became the first to benefit from this innovative process, utilizing the Program Environmental Impact Report (EIR) certified for the 2021-2029 Housing Element and Safety Element Updates. By doing so, this project set a precedent for future housing developments in Los Angeles.

When CAJA first embarked on this effort, the City was still refining the details of the Streamlining Checklist—what it should include, how information should be presented, and the necessary technical reports. Through multiple iterations and collaboration with city planners, the process was finalized, leading to the successful project approval.

PROJECT OVERVIEW

Project Approved: December 2024 The approved development includes:

  • 21 Single-Family Homes on the western portion of the site.

  • Demolition and Reconstruction of a caretaker apartment, replaced by a 1,347-square-foot, single-story, two-bedroom caretaker residence with a two-car garage.

  • Land Conservation: The eastern 4.15-acre portion of the site will be donated to a conservation organization such as the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy to remain as open space.

  • Environmental Enhancements: The project will introduce 330 new trees while maintaining 215 existing citrus trees. Additionally, two rows of existing citrus trees along Oakdale Avenue will be replaced with new Valencia orange trees, preserving the site’s historical orchard character with lower maintenance requirements.

Moving Housing Forward in Los Angeles

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This streamlined approach underscores the City’s commitment to facilitating housing development while maintaining environmental integrity. As a leader in environmental services, CAJA is proud to set the standard for efficient, sustainable urban growth.

For more information on how we can assist with your housing project, contact us today:

CONTACT US

CAJA Environmental Services, LLC
CAJA’s Leadership Team

Chris Joseph | chris@ceqa-nepa.com
Stacie Henderson | stacie@ceqa-nepa.com
Seth Wulkan | seth@ceqa-nepa.com
Kerrie Nicholson | kerrie@ceqa-nepa.com