Mar Vista Academy Building and Site Improvements Project
Summary
SCH Number
2024110717
Public Agency
Sweetwater Union High School District
Document Title
Mar Vista Academy Building and Site Improvements Project
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
11/21/2024
Document Description
The District proposes to construct two academic-related buildings, redevelop the student quad, relocate the campus's main entry to the south side of the campus and provide entrance improvements associated with the relocated main entry and side entry (proposed project). Relocating the main entry would allow for Increased security at the main entrance. See further discussion below.
The proposed project will demolish two academic-related buildings (Buildings 900 and 105) along with the attached overhang that shades ~e adjacent walkways. The two academic-related buildings (Buildings 900 and 105) on the south side of campus will be replaced with two new academic-related buildings in the same general footprint and size of the existing buildings. The new Building 105 will Include the MPR. The new Building 900 will Include student services with administrative offices, a counseling room, nurses' office, two special education classrooms, and other student service rooms. The proposed project will construct a new special education play area adjacent to the new Building 900. A new student bike parking area will be constructed beside the new play area. The current campus has more classrooms than Is needed for the enrollment of the campus; the proposed project will result In a net decrease of 11 classrooms and will not increase student enrollment.
The existing student quad at the center of campus will be redeveloped and require the removal of the existing shade structure, tables, and landscaping. The proposed project will repave the student quad, install new tables, benches, and landscaping.
The proposed project will remove the delivery driveway, paved parking area, curbs, planter/landscaping, chain link fence and gate; for the new entrance located between Building 105/multi-purpose room (MPR) and Building 1400 on the southern portion and southeastern portion of the campus. The new entrance will include construction of a paved walkway with stairs and a ramp area, landscaping, and new ornamental fencing with entry gates. The side entrance, In-between the newly constructed MPR and Building 1400, will also receive improvements that requires the removal of the existing concrete walkway (including stairs), fencing, gate, and landscaping. The side entrance improvements will include new entry gates with ornamental fencing, a new concrete walkway and new ornamental landscaping.
The parking lot along Halo Street will be restriped to include Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) parking spots and the northern walkway will be repaved with new concrete. The existing pick-up/drop-off loading zone on Thermal Avenue will be extended by 20 feet into the campus consistent with fire code compliance and ADA access requirements.
The proposed project will also remove two storage containers, eight portable classrooms, and one relocatable restroom from the campus. The existing uses in these classrooms (i.e. the special education classrooms) will be relocated to the new buildings.
The Mar Vista Academy marquee, at the southwest corner of the campus, will be replaced with a new electrified marquee. The proposed project will require removal of ornamental trees on site.
Construction of the proposed project Is scheduled to begin in January 2025 and is anticipated to last approximately 14 months. All construction equipment and workers will be located within the boundaries of the campus and contractors will adhere to construction noise regulations to avoid disruption to campus operations.
Overall the proposed project would benefit the Mar Vista Academy students, staff, and the general community by providing enhanced educational facilities.
Contact Information
Name
Jason Brust
Agency Name
Sweetwater Union High School District
Job Title
Director of Planning and Construction
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency / Project Applicant
Phone
Location
Cities
Chula Vista
Counties
San Diego
Regions
Citywide, Southern California
Cross Streets
Thermal Avenue and Halo Street
Zip
92154
Total Acres
3.11
Parcel #
6331400100 , 6331401000
State Highways
Interstate 5, and State Route 75
Railways
SDMTS: Blue S and Blue N
Airports
Naval Outlying Landing Field
Schools
Multiple
Township
18S
Range
02W
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
15301,15302,15303, 15314
Reasons for Exemption
The proposed parking lot restriping and walkway improvements, ornamental fencing/gate replacement, expanding the existing pick-up/drop-off on Thermal Avenue; and removal of portable classrooms, relocatable restroom, and storage containers, are exempt from CEQA under" Class 1, Existing Facilities (Section 15301 ). The parking lot restriping, walkway improvements, ornamental fencing/gate replacement, and the extension of the existing pick-up/drop-off are exterior alterations of existing school facilities on campus to improve the safety and access of campus. Since the campus improvements are located in the same site and do not involve the expansion of use, the proposed project is exempt from CEQA under Section 15301.
The proposed replacement of the student quad area, tables, benches, marquee, two academic-related buildings (Building 900 and 105), fencing, and gates are exempt from CEQA under Class 2, replacement or reconstruction (Section 15302). The existing student quad area will be redesigned and reconstructed for continued student use. The proposed project will remove the existing tables and benches In the student quad and replace them with updated student fixtures. The marquee on campus will be replaced with an electric marquee in the same location. The two academic-related buildings (Building 900 and 105) will be replaced in the same footprint and similar size as the existing buildings. The proposed academic-related buildings will not increase student capacity. Overall, the proposed project will reduce classrooms on campus by 11. The ornamental fencing/gate will replace the existing fencing and gate and continue to serve the same purpose. These project components will be replaced with similar structures on the same site and continue to serve the same purpose. Therefore, the project is exempt from CEQA under Section 15302.
The proposed construction of fencing, bike racks, and special education play area are exempt from CEQA under Class 3, New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures (Section 15303). The proposed fencing, and play area are small new structures located within the school campus. The new bike racks would be considered small new equipment. The following improvements will be located on campus to serve students and not increase student capacity; the project is exempt from CEQA under Section 15303.
The proposed construction of the two academic-related buildings (Building 900 and 105) are exempt from CEQA under class 14, Minor Additions to Schools (Section 15314). The new buildings will be located within the campus. The new Building 105 (MPR) will become the campus MPR with a stage and will not Include an increase in classrooms. The proposed project would demolish and reconstruct a new Building 900 (Student Services Building) which will expand existing student services on campus and Include two special education classrooms. The proposed project will remove nine portable classrooms and four existing classrooms in existing building 900, which will result in a net decrease of 11 classrooms. The proposed project will not increase student capacity and will serve the existing students at Mar Vista Academy. Since the new buildings are located within the same campus and will not increase the school classrooms by ten or student capacity by more than 25 percent, the project Is exempt from CEQA under Section 15314.
The proposed project was also reviewed for possible exceptions under Section 15300.2 and found that the exceptions do not apply. See Attachment to Notice of Exemption for further explanation of the evaluation, which is available at the Sweetwater Union High School District Office, 1130 Fifth Avenue Chula Vista, CA 91911.
County Clerk
San Diego
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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