Three Elementary School Sites Improvement Project
Summary
SCH Number
2025030945
Public Agency
Panama-Buena Vista Union School District
Document Title
Three Elementary School Sites Improvement Project
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
3/24/2025
Document Description
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The Panama Buena Vista Union School District (PBVUSD) proposes to upgrade three existing school sites: Whitley Elementary School, Sandrini Elementary School, and Williams Elementary School.
Dolores S. Whitley Elementary School
The campus is located at 2923 McKee Road, Bakersfield, CA 93313 (APN 514-040-03, 514-040-04, and 514- 040-07). The campus is located south of McKee Road and east of Wible Road and encompasses approximately 14.31 acres.
The existing Whitley Elementary School will be improved through the installation of a 48-foot by 40-foot (1,920 square-foot) portable classroom building, a 12-foot by 40-foot (480 square-foot) portable restroom building,and associated pedestrian improvements. Improvements are anticipated to be developed towards the eastern
portion of the school and will require the removal of existing the paved outdoor recreational space that is currently utilized as basketball courts.
Louise Sandrini Elementary School
The campus is located at 4100 Alum Avenue, Bakersfield, CA 93309 (APN 403-011-03). The campus is located at the northeast corner of Alum Avenue and Dovewood Street and encompasses approximately 9.63 acres.
PBVUSD proposed to further improve the existing Sandrini Elementary School through the installation of a 40- foot by 36-foot (1,440 square-foot) portable classroom building, a 12-foot by 40-foot (480 square-foot) portable restroom building, an outdoor learning environmental consisting of a 20-foot by 44-foot (880 squarefoot) shade structure, benches, and tables, and associated landscaping and pedestrian improvements. These improvements are anticipated to be developed towards the western portion of the campus and will require the removal of existing improvements including existing turf and landscaping, an outdoor recreational backstop and associated foundations, removal and replacement of utility box rings and lid, and a gate and associated concrete pad. One ornamental tree is anticipated to be removed from the site to accommodate the proposed improvements.
Bill L. Williams Elementary School
The campus is located at 5601 Harris Road, Bakersfield, CA 93313 (APN 499-011-07). The campus is located at the southeast corner of Harris Road and Summer Springs Drive, and encompasses approximately 10 acres.
PBVUSD proposed to further improve the existing campus through the installation of a 48-foot by 40-foot (1,920 square-foot) portable classroom building, a 12-foot by 40-foot portable restroom building, associated landscaping and pedestrian improvements, storm drainage improvements, and crosswalk improvements. The
proposed portable classroom and restroom buildings are planned to be installed toward the western boundary of the existing campus and will require removal of existing turf, pavement, an outdoor recreational backstop and associated foundations, a masonry wall, gate, bicycle racks, a storage unit and concrete pad. One tree at the
Williams Elementary School is anticipated to be removed from the site to accommodate the proposed improvements.
Contact Information
Name
Paul Johnson
Agency Name
Panama Buena Vista Union School District
Job Title
Director of Facilities
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency / Project Applicant / Parties Undertaking Project
Phone
Location
Cities
Bakersfield
Counties
Kern
Regions
Citywide
Cross Streets
1) McKee and Wible, 2) Alum Avenue and Dovewood Street, 3)Harris Road and Summer Springs Drive
Zip
93313, 09
Total Acres
34 total
Parcel #
1) 514-040-03, -04 & -07; 2) 403-011-03; 3)499-011-07
State Highways
99
Railways
NA
Airports
NA
Schools
Stine Elem
Waterways
irrigation canal
Township
30 S
Range
27E
Section
36
Base
MDB&M
Other Location Info
1) 2923 McKee Road, Bakersfield, CA 93313; 2) 4100 Alum Avenue, Bakersfield, CA 93309; 3) 5601 Harris Road, Bakersfield, CA 93313
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 3:15303 (c), (d) and (e), and Class 14: 15314
Reasons for Exemption
REASONS WHY PROJECT IS EXEMPT
The project proposes to improve three existing school sites through the addition of portable classroom buildings, portable restroom facilities, a shade structure, and associated utility infrastructure as described
above. These improvements are proposed to be located within the existing footprint of the respective elementary school sites. The project would result in disturbance of previously disturbed and developed areas.
The project would involve the development of one additional classroom at each school site and would not increase student capacity, as the purpose is to alleviate classroom overcrowding and meet California Department of Education requirements.
The project sites are proposed to be located on an existing elementary school campus where is no suitable habitat to support special status species. The schools are completely surrounded by existing urban development. Due to the existing built nature and human activity associated with the sites and surrounding areas, no known biological resources are anticipated to occur at any of the project sites and would not be adversely impacted by project construction and operations. Additionally, due to past ground disturbance related to development of the existing school sites, the presence of a cultural or historical resource is unlikely. In the unlikely event a special status species or cultural resources is observed during construction at any of the
sites, the project will comply with all applicable local, State and federal regulations and codes related to biological resources and cultural resources. Additionally, there are no scenic highways or resources that would be impacted by the project.
CONCLUSION
The project will provide a minor upgrade to the existing schools. The project will not expand the student and faculty population at the school sites but will improve educational experience and provide additional amenities to each school. New walkways will improve accessibility and increase vehicle and pedestrian safety.
As discussed, the improvements at these existing schools would not result in a significant environmental impact and is consistent the provisions of a Class 3 and Class 14 Categorical Exemptions as per Section 21084 of the Public Resources Code.
County Clerk
Kern
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.