Notice of Preparation for an Environmental Impact Report for the City of Redwood City Oracle Design Tech High School

Community Development Department

Planning and Housing Division

1017 Middlefield Road

Redwood City, CA 94063

(650) 780-7234

[email protected]

www.redwoodcity.org

NOTICE OF PREPARATION

NOTICE OF PUBLIC SCOPING MEETING

To: Responsible Agencies, Trustee Agencies, and Other Interested Parties

Subject: Notice of Preparation and Scoping Meeting for a Draft Environmental

Impact Report for the Proposed Oracle Design Tech High School.

From: City of Redwood City

Address: 1017 Middlefield Road, Redwood City, California 94063

Project Applicant: Oracle Education Foundation

The City of Redwood City will be the Lead Agency and will prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Report

(DEIR) for the proposed project identified above and in the attached materials.

We are interested in the views of your agency as to the appropriate scope and content of the DEIRs

environmental information pertaining to your agencys statutory responsibilities in connection with the

proposed project. Your agency will need to use the EIR prepared by the City when considering your

permit or other approvals for the project. The proposed project, its location, and its potential

environmental effects are described in the attached materials.

Due to the time limits mandated by State law, your response must be sent during the 30-day review period, from July 13, 2015 through August 12, 2015 .

Please provide a contact name and phone number for your agency with your comments. Please send

your response to:

Redwood City Planning Services

Attention: Lindy Chan Senior Planner

1017 Middlefield Road, Redwood City, California 94063.

(650) 780-7237 | [email protected]

The public Scoping Meeting on the Draft Environmental Impact Report for the proposed project will be

held on July 21, 2015 at 7:00pm at the City of Redwood City, City Hall Council Chamber.

July 10, 2015

Lindy Chan, Senior Planner, City of Redwood City Date

2 Redwood City Oracle Design Tech High School NOP

Notice of Preparation for an Environmental Impact Report for the City of Redwood City

Oracle Design Tech High School

Date of Distribution: July 13, 2015

Introduction

The purpose of an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) is to inform decision-makers and the general

public of the environmental effects of a proposed project that an agency may implement or approve.

The EIR process is intended to provide information sufficient to evaluate a project and its potential for

significant impacts on the environment; to examine methods of reducing adverse impacts; and to

consider alternatives to the project.

The EIR for the proposed project will be prepared and processed in accordance with the California

Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) of 1970, as amended. In accordance with the requirements of CEQA,

the EIR will include the following:

A summary of the project;

A project description;

A description of the existing environmental setting, environmental impacts, and mitigation

measures for the project;

Alternatives to the project as proposed; and

Environmental consequences, including (a) any significant environmental effects which cannot be

avoided if the project is implemented; (b) any significant irreversible and irretrievable

commitments of resources; (c) the growth inducing impacts of the proposed project; and (d)

cumulative impacts.

Project Location

The 4.1-acre project site is comprised of a surface parking lot and open space adjacent to the Belmont

Slough and the Bay Trail in the City of Redwood City. The project site is located across from 350 Oracle

Parkway within the approximately 35-acre Oracle Campus, and is and bound by the Belmont Slough and

the Bay Trail to the north and west and Oracle Parkway to the south. (see Figures 1 and 2)

Project Description

The proposed project entails demolishing the parking lot and constructing a two-story, 75,000 square

foot building for the relocation and expansion of the Design Tech High School.1 The new high school

campus would include an employee parking lot, a student drop-off area, public access points to the Bay

Trail, and outdoor amenities. At full capacity, the school would accommodate up to 550 students in

grades 9-12 with 30 full time employees. The proposed school would not have designated space for

athletics or other non-classroom activities, but would utilize facilities such as the gym, convention

center, and kitchen located on the Oracle campus.

1 Design Tech High School is currently located on the Mills High School campus in Millbrae.

REGIONAL MAP FIGURE 1

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San MateoSan Mateo

BelmontBelmont

Half Moon BayHalf Moon Bay

San BrunoSan Bruno

PacificaPacifica

East Palo Alto

East Palo Alto

Los AltosLos Altos

Redwood CityRedwood CityNewarkNewark

HaywardHayward

San FranciscoSan FranciscoAlamedaAlameda

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Pacific Ocean

Project Site

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5 Redwood City Oracle Design Tech High School NOP

As proposed, student parking will not be provided for most students. Students will use public transit or

be dropped off at a designated drop-off area on the eastern side of the site. To facilitate the use of public

transit, the school schedule will coincide with the Caltrain schedule and existing shuttle programs will

be available to students for transportation between school and the Caltrain stations. A small number of

parking spaces within the proposed parking lot will be allotted to those students whose schedules do

not allow for the use of public transit due to concurrent enrollment at local community colleges and/or

participation in internships.

Required Project Approvals

Entitlements would include an amendment of the approved Planned Development Permit, a Use Permit,

a Tentative Map, and an Architectural Permit.

Potential Environmental Impacts of the Project

The EIR will identify the significant environmental effects anticipated to result from development and

operation of the project as proposed. The EIR will include the following specific environmental

categories as related to the proposed project:

1. Land Use

The project site is designed Commercial Office Professional/Technology in the General Plan and zoned

CP Commercial Park. The site is located in a developed urbanized area adjacent to the Belmont Slough

and office land uses with residential land uses across the slough.

The EIR will describe the existing land uses adjacent to and within the project area. Land use impacts

that would occur as a result of the proposed project will be analyzed, including the consistency of the

project with the Citys General Plan and zoning code and compatibility of the proposed and existing land

uses in the project area. The effect of the project on the Citys jobs/housing balance will also be analyzed

along with the projects interface with San Carlos Airport. Mitigation measures will be identified for

significant impacts, as warranted.

2. Aesthetics

The project site is surrounded by office uses and Belmont Slough, with residential land uses across the

slough. The EIR will describe the existing visual setting of the project area and the visual changes that

are anticipated to occur as a result of the proposed project. The EIR will also discuss possible light and

glare issues from the proposed development. Mitigation measures will be identified for significant

impacts, as warranted.

3. Geology

The project site is located in Seismic Zone 4, which is the most seismically active region in the United

States. The EIR will discuss the possible geological impacts associated with seismic activity and the

existing soil conditions on the project site. Mitigation measures will be identified for significant impacts,

as warranted.

6 Redwood City Oracle Design Tech High School NOP

4. Hydrology and Water Quality

Based on the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) flood insurance rate maps, the project

site is located in Zone X which is shown as being protected from the one percent annual chance floor by

a levee system. The EIR will address the possible flooding issues of the site as well as the effectiveness

of the storm drainage system and the projects effect on storm water quality consistent with the

requirements of the Regional Water Quality Control Board. The EIR will also address the potential for

sea-level rise to impact the site. Mitigation measures will be identified for significant impacts, as

warranted.

5. Biological Resources

The project site is developed with a parking lot and has no vegetation other than landscape trees, grass,

and ruderal vegetation. The site is, however, adjacent to Belmont Slough. The EIR will provide a

discussion of impacts to special-status species and sensitive/regulated habitats. The analysis will also

include a discussion of potential bird strikes and the potential for increased predation from raptors.

Mitigation measures will be identified for significant impacts, as warranted.

6. Hazards and Hazardous Materials

The project site is surrounded by offices uses and Belmont Slough, and adjacent to a 60 kV high-voltage

power transmission line. The EIR will summarize known hazardous materials on and adjacent to the

project site and will address the potential for the proposed school to be significantly impacted by

hazardous materials and/or the power line. Mitigation measures will be identified for significant

impacts, as warranted.

7. Cultural Resources

This area of Redwood City is not considered a sensitive area for prehistoric and historic resources

because it was historically tidal marshland. The EIR will address the potential for prehistoric and /or

historic artifacts to be found on-site. Mitigation measures will be identified for significant impacts, as

warranted.

8. Transportation and Circulation

The EIR will examine the existing traffic and parking conditions in the immediate vicinity of the project

site. A transportation impact analysis will be prepared in order to identify the transportation impacts

of the proposed project on the existing local and regional transportation system and the planned long-

range transportation network. The EIR will also include a parking analysis. Mitigation measures will be

identified for significant impacts, as warranted.

9. Air Quality

The EIR will address the regional air quality conditions in the Bay Area and discuss the proposed

projects impacts to local and regional air quality. Due to the proximity of sensitive receptors (i.e.,

residences), temporary construction related impacts such as construction vehicle exhaust and air-borne

particulates (i.e., dust) will also be discussed. Mitigation measures will be identified for significant

impacts, as warranted.

7 Redwood City Oracle Design Tech High School NOP

10. Noise

The existing noise environment on-site is created primarily by traffic on local roadways. The EIR will

discuss impacts to the proposed project from existing noise levels on the project site. The EIR will also

discuss the increase in noise that would result from implementation of the proposed project, and

temporary construction noise. Noise levels will be evaluated for consistency with applicable standards

and guidelines in the City of Redwood City. Mitigation measures will be identified for significant impacts,

as warranted.

11. Utilities

Implementation of the proposed project will result in a demand for utilities and public facilities that do

not currently exist because the project site is currently a parking lot. The EIR will examine the impacts

of the project on public services, including utilities such as sanitary and storm drains, water supply, and

solid waste management. Mitigation measures will be identified for significant impacts, as warranted.

12. Public Services

Implementation of the proposed project will not increase the permanent resident population of the City

but will result in an increased demand on public services, including police and fire protection, parks and

recreational facilities, and libraries. The EIR will address the availability of public facilities and service

systems and the potential for the project to require the construction of new facilities. Mitigation

measures will be identified for significant impacts, as warranted.

13. Energy

Implementation of the proposed project will result in an increased demand for energy on-site. The EIR

will address the increase in energy usage on-site and proposed design measures to reduce energy

consumption. Mitigation measures will be identified for significant impact, as warranted.

14. Greenhouse Gas Emissions

The EIR will address the proposed projects contribution to regional and global greenhouse gas

emissions. Proposed design measures to reduce energy consumption, which in turn would reduce

greenhouse gas emissions, will be discussed. Mitigation measures will be identified for significant

impacts, as warranted.

15. Alternatives

The EIR will examine alternatives to the proposed project including a No Project alternative and one

or more alternative development scenarios depending on the impacts identified. Alternatives discussed

will be chosen based on their ability to reduce or avoid identified significant impacts of the proposed

project while achieving most of the identified objectives of the project.

16. Significant Unavoidable Impacts

The EIR will identify those significant impacts that cannot be avoided, if the project is implemented as

proposed.

8 Redwood City Oracle Design Tech High School NOP

17. Cumulative Impacts

The EIR will include a Cumulative Impacts section that will address the potentially significant

cumulative impacts of the project when considered with other past, present, and reasonably foreseeable

future projects in the development area.

18. Other Required Sections

In conformance with the CEQA Guidelines, the EIR will also include the following sections: 1) consistency

with local and regional plans and policies, 2) growth inducing impacts, 3) significant irreversible

environmental changes, 4) references and organizations/persons consulted, and 5) EIR authors.