Esencia K-8 School Modular Classroom Project
Summary
SCH Number
2024050885
Public Agency
Capistrano Unified School District
(CUSD)
Document Title
Esencia K-8 School Modular Classroom Project
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
5/20/2024
Document Description
Capistrano Unified School District (District) proposes to install seven modular classrooms, a modular restroom building, seven new outdoor post mounted lighting fixtures, seat wall, fencing, signage, and ADA ramps; relocate two existing modular classrooms on campus; restripe the southern basketball courts; and provide restriping of the ADA parking area and a new “tow away” sign in the eastern parking lot. The asphalt on the existing northern basketball courts will be removed and repaved for the installation of seven modular classrooms and a modular restroom. Two of the modular classrooms (J-5 and J-6) will be relocated from the existing campus, west of Building G, to the southwestern corner of campus. Two new modular classrooms will be constructed in their place. A total of seven modular classrooms and a modular restroom will be new buildings added to the campus. New fencing will be installed to restrict access behind and between the modular classrooms. Additionally, signage at the entrance for the modular restroom and new ADA ramps for each modular classroom will be installed. The modular classrooms and restroom will connect to the existing utility lines on-site. New asphalt paving will be constructed around the southern basketball courts and the new modular buildings. The southern basketball courts will be restriped, and a seat wall will be installed. Additionally, seven new outdoor post mounted lighting fixtures will be installed around the southern basketball courts. Parking improvements will include the restriping of the ADA parking area and a new “tow away” sign at the eastern parking lot. The new lighting will not extend the hours of use of the basketball courts.
The proposed project will increase student capacity at the Esencia campus by a maximum of 196 students. The proposed project will not alter the existing vehicle and pedestrian access to the campus, and all improvements will occur on the existing campus. Overall, the proposed project will benefit the Esencia campus students and staff by providing additional educational facilities.
Contact Information
Name
John Forney
Agency Name
Capistrano Unified School District
Job Title
Chief Facilities Officer
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency / Project Applicant
Phone
Email
Location
Coordinates
Cities
Rancho Mission Viejo - Unincorporated
Counties
Orange
Regions
Countywide, Southern California, Unincorporated
Cross Streets
Pavilions Park to the south and southwest, and Andaza Street to the west
Zip
92694
Total Acres
14
Parcel #
75530137
State Highways
SR-74 (1 mile), I-5 (4 miles)
Other Location Info
5 Aprender Street, Rancho Mission Viejo, CA 92694
Other Information
The Esencia K-8 School campus is at 5 Aprender Street (Assessor’s Parcel Number [APN] 75530137), in the community of Rancho Mission Viejo, a census-designated place in unincorporated Orange County (SCAG 2024). The community of Rancho Mission Viejo is surrounded by the unincorporated communities of Coto De Caza and Las Flores in Orange County and the City of Rancho Santa Margarita to the north; unincorporated Orange County to the east; the City of San Juan Capistrano to the south and southwest; and the unincorporated community of Ladera Ranch in Orange County to the west.
The campus is bounded by Aprender Street to the north and east, Pavilions Park to the south and southwest, and Andaza Street to the west. Residential uses are across Aprender Street to the north and Andaza Street to the west. Regional access to the campus is provided via State Route 74 (SR-74), which is approximately 1.0 mile south, and Interstate 5 (I-5), which is approximately 4 miles southwest of the campus (see Figure 1, Regional Location, and Figure 2, Local Vicinity). The project site includes approximately 0.90 acres of the southern side of the approximately 14-acre Esencia campus.
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 1, CCR §15301; Class 3, CCR §15303; Class 14 CCR §15314
Reasons for Exemption
The relocation of two modular buildings, hardscape construction, basketball court restriping, installation of seven outdoor light fixtures and seat wall around the basketball courts, and proposed parking lot restriping for the ADA parking area and the new “tow away” sign in the eastern parking lot are exempt from CEQA under Class 1, Existing Facilities (Section 15301), because the components consist of minor alterations to existing structures and parking lot with no expansion of an existing use. The parking lot restriping and new signage will take place within the existing Esencia campus parking lot to improve visibility and ADA access on campus. The new hardscape and restriping of the basketball court and installation of the outdoor light fixtures and seat wall will not expand any uses on campus and would be considered minor alternations. The two relocated modular buildings will continue to operate similar to existing conditions and will not expand the use of the campus. Since these improvements are on the same site and do not involve the expansion of use, these project components are exempt from CEQA under Section 15301.
The proposed construction of additional fencing, modular restroom building, bathroom signage, ADA ramps to modular classrooms, seat wall, seven outdoor lighting fixtures and utility extensions are exempt from CEQA under Class 3, New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures (Section 15303), because these components are small, accessory structures to serve the Esencia K-8 School and will be within the existing campus footprint. Therefore, these components of the project are exempt from CEQA under Section 15303.
The proposed installation of seven new modular classrooms, a modular restroom building, additional fencing, and signage are exempt from CEQA under Class 14, Minor Additions to Schools (Section 15314). The seven new modular classrooms are necessary to accommodate anticipated new students in the District. The seven modular classrooms will increase the student capacity on campus by 196 students, which will result in an approximately 16 percent increase in the student capacity or approximately 18 percent increase based on current student enrollment. Consequently, the project will not increase student capacity by more than 25 percent. Since the new buildings will not increase the number of school classrooms by 10, nor increase student capacity by 25 percent, the addition of seven classrooms is exempt from CEQA under Section 15314.
County Clerk
Orange
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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