Granger Junior High School Building and Site Improvements Project
Summary
SCH Number
2024110719
Public Agency
Sweetwater Union High School District
Document Title
Granger Junior High School Building and Site Improvements Project
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
11/21/2024
Document Description
The District proposed to demolish three existing buildings (physical education building and Buildings 903 and 904) to construct one new building, renovate and expand the campus' quad, build new walkways, and landscape parts of the campus. The physical education building, Buildings 903 and 904, and the concrete platform, located in the quad, would be demolished. Other features of the project site would also be demolished, which include eight basketball hoops, four full court basketball courts (pavement), portions of the remaining basketball courts and volleyball court (pavement), northeast of the current physical education building, twelve trees, the dirt playfield south of the physical education building, the pavement walkway that starts behind Classroom Buildings 200 through 600 and ends at the existing physical education building, and the fencing surrounding the basketball courts, volleyball courts, the hopscotch play area, the physical education building, and Buildings 903 and 904. The landscape east of the physical education building and the pavement surrounding the physical education building and Buildings 903 and 904 would also be demolished.
The proposed building would be in the eastern portion of the campus, near Van Ness Avenue. The building would be a single-story building 28 feet in height and include 28 rooms which would total 14,728 square feet. The multipurpose room would be used for assemblies, performances, and other school activities. No new events are proposed as part of the proposed project.
In addition to the proposed multipurpose building, the remaining basketball courts and volleyball court would be reconfigured to include four full court basketball courts and four volleyball courts overlaid on each other. Adjacent to the reconfigured basketball courts and volleyball court, four new multi-sport courts would be built (no pickleball proposed). The existing asphalt would remain for these areas.
The existing dirt and grass play field would be renovated. Renovations would Include restoring two acres of the play field with decomposed granite, building a walking track using decomposed granite, placing wood mulch, modifying the asphalt under the existing bike rack, and installing two metal backstops for baseball, softball, and other sports. Fencing would be placed along the eastern edge of the decomposed granite playfield and the existing landscaping located along the eastern edge of the campus would remain.
The existing walkways will be repaved to include a mix of concrete, concrete pavers, asphalt, artificial turf, and planters and planting areas. Areas surrounding the proposed multipurpose building and the walkway northeast of Buildings 200 through 600 would include a mix of new concrete, concrete. pavers, asphalt, and planting areas. The quad's existing asphalt would be modified, and a new planting area would be Installed and the existing solar panels would remain. The walkways surrounding the multipurpose building and the new walkway northeast of Buildings 200 through 600 would also include benches and landscaping.
Landscaping would be done in the proposed irrigated planters throughout the project site. As part of the landscaping plan for the proposed project, some of the existing trees would be removed and some would remain. In particular, 10 Mexican Fan Palms located northeast of the proposed multipurpose building would remain, and 12 Mexican Fan Palms behind the existing physical education building would be removed to make room for new trees, shrubs, and ground cover. The proposed landscaping would be located in the area surrounding the proposed multipurpose building, the walkway northeast of Buildings 200 through 600, and the quad.
As part of the project, a stormwater system would be constructed, and any new utilities will be connected to the proposed project via underground. ADA upgrades would be constructed in the northwestern parking lot and would include an ADA passenger drop off area. The proposed project would not alter the basic functions of the project site and would not change nor increase the student capacity. The proposed project would not alter the existing vehicle or pedestrian access. Overall, the proposed project would benefit the GJHS students, staff, and the general community by providing enhanced educational and athletic facilities.
Construction of the proposed improvements is tentatively scheduled to be Implemented in April 2025 and is anticipated to last approximately 16 months. All construction equipment and workers would be located within the boundaries of the campus, and contractors will adhere to construction noise regulations to avoid disruption to campus operations.
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
National City
Counties
San Diego
Regions
Citywide, Southern California
Cross Streets
Granger Avenue and 20th Street
Zip
91950
Total Acres
9
Parcel #
775-582-8001
State Highways
Interstate 805, State Route 54
Railways
None
Airports
None
Schools
Multiple
Township
17S
Range
02W
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
15301, 15302, 15303, 15314
Reasons for Exemption
The proposed project would renovate the existing dirt and grass playfields to include a walking track and restore the existing dirt playfield with decomposed granite on the proposed multi-use field. The proposed walking track would be located on the existing grass playfield and be made of decomposed granite. Inside the walking track, the existing grass playfield would remain. The existing dirt playfield would be restored with new decomposed granite. The proposed renovations would continue to allow the students an area of the campus to participate in various activities. The proposed renovations would not expand the current use of the dirt and grass playfields and would be exempt from CEQA under Section 15301.
The proposed project would replace the existing physical education building, Buildings 903 and 904, the quad, existing basketball and volleyball courts, and existing walkways/landscaping with a new multipurpose building and reconstructed the quad, new basketball courts, volleyball courts, and multi-sport courts, walkways/landscaping in the same area of the existing physical education building and walkways/landscaping (see project description, above). The proposed multipurpose building will continue to serve academic purposes similar to the current buildings and will be located in the same area on campus. The proposed basketball, volleyball, and multi-sport courts would continue to serve the existing student population. The proposed quad and walkways/landscaping reconstruction would beautify the campus for staff, students, and the public. This project would be exempt from CEQA under Section 15302.
The proposed project would include the installation and construction of benches, planters, and backstops, located on the proposed walking track. The benches on the project site would consist of 19 flagstone boulder benches and 14 caste-in-place concrete benches and would be installed and constructed around the proposed multipurpose building and on the walkway northeast of Buildings 200 through 600. Irrigated planters would also be constructed in the same areas of the benches and would consist of trees, shrubs, and ground cover. Additionally, a new multiuse field would be installed in place of existing dirt and grass play field. The new multiuse field would include installing decomposed granite, building a walking track using decomposed granite, placing wood mulch, modifying the asphalt under the existing bike rack, and installing two metal backstops for baseball, softball, and other sports. The backstops would be located on the eastern and western corners of the proposed walking track. The proposed installation and construction of the benches and planters would beautify the campus for the students and staff and the Installation of the backstops would allow for sports activities. This project Is exempt from CEQA under Section 15303.
The proposed project is exempt from CEQA under Class 14, Minor Additions to Schools (Section 15314). The proposed project will demolish three existing buildings, construct one new building, renovate and expand the campus' quad, build new walkways, and landscape the project site. The proposed new building will consist of uses such as a band classroom, an art classroom and outdoor art area, a stage, storage, a concession stand, a weight room, a physical education studio, ASB room (classroom), and boys and girls locker rooms. The proposed project would result in a net increase of one classroom. All proposed improvements would occur on the GJHS campus. Since the new buildings are located within the same campus and will not increase the school classrooms by ten, the project is exempt from CEQA under Section 15314.
Therefore, the proposed project is exempt from CEQA under Sections 15301,15302,15303, and 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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