Mountain View Whisman School District

Agenda Item for Board Meeting of 3/4/2021

Agenda Category:  REVIEW AND ACTION

Agenda Item Title:  Adoption of Resolution No. 01-030421 for Determination that the Frank Huff Elementary School Portable Project Is Categorically Exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act, Approving the Project, and Directing the Filing of the Notice of Exemption (10 minutes)

Estimated Time: 

Person Responsible:  Rebecca Westover Ed. E., Chief Business Officer

Background: 

The Mountain View Whisman School District (“District”) developed the Frank Huff Elementary School New Portable Project (“Project”) that includes the installation of one (1) new, 30’ X 32’ relocatable classroom building. 

The Project is located within the existing school grounds of the Frank Huff Elementary School, located at 253 Martens Ave., Mountain View, CA 94040 (“Site”).

Before the District may determine to carry out the Project, it must complete environmental review under CEQA, which exempts certain defined projects from completing a negative declaration or environmental impact report.  District staff have determined that the Project meets the definition of the Class 14 Categorical Exemption. 

RATIONALE:

The Class 14 Categorical Exemption (CEQA Guidelines, § 15314) applies to minor additions to existing schools that do not increase student capacity by more the 25% or 10 classrooms, whichever is less.  Installation of one relocatable classroom would be a minor addition to an existing school that will not increase student capacity by more than 25% or 10 classrooms.  Thus, the Project is categorically exempt under the Class 14 categorical exemption.

Once a project is determined to be exempt, it is no longer subject to either the procedural or substantive requirements of CEQA.  Thus, CEQA review would be complete should the Board determine that the Project is exempt and to carry out the Project.

There are no known unusual circumstances that would otherwise except the Project from the categorical exemption.  Accordingly, it is proper to determine the Project categorically exempt under CEQA.

Should the Board adopt the Resolution, District staff will file a Notice of Exemption with the Santa Clara County Clerk and the State Clearinghouse.

It is recommended that the Board adopt Resolution No.01-030421 Determining that the Frank Huff Elementary School Portable Project Is Exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act, Approving the Project, and Directing the Filing of the Notice of Exemption