Date: May 29,2000

Dear Mr. Dominquez:

I would like to formally request that the California Department of education (CDE) initiate as per Education Code section 17512, an aeronautics review on the property referred to as the Edwards Property within the city limits of Watsonville. As you are aware, the Pajaro Valley Unified School District has CDE approval to construct a comprehensive high school designed to serve 2200 students on part of the Edward's property. This 70 acre parcel has been funded by the State Allocation Board and was approved for a high school site in 1992 by the Division of Aeronautics and the CDE. In l997, an extension of the approval was provided through the year 2002.

The school site rests within the California Coastal Zone and so to obtain a Coastal Development Permit from the City of Watsonville, developmental standards must be met. One of the standards set by the Coastal Commission in regards to airport safety is that:

a) The PVUSD has, prior to submitting an application for a coastal development permit but after March 16, 2000, given written notice to the State Department of Education pursuant to California Education Code section 17215, to request an airport safety and noise evaluation of any portion of Area C: proposed for development. This notice shall request that this evaluation take into account changed circumstances since the 1992/97 Caltrans Aeronautics review, including but not limited to the following:

1) The public school development envelope approved by the City of Watsonville LCP Amendment 1-99.

2) Relevant factors listed in the revised Office of Airport Procedures of tile Aeronautics Program, dated December 16, I 998 (e.g., flight activity, type of aircraft, proposed operation changes, etc.).

3) The proposed Runway extension; and

b) The City has received Department of Education documentation, pursuant to section (a) above, indication which portions of Area C; are safe for public school development with respect to potential airport safety concerns.

From the Division of Aeronautics review the district needs to know:

1) Whether the current approval on the existing 70 acre site is confirmed,
2) How much of the remaining Area C meets the Requirements far a public school, and
3) What changes, if any, can be made at the Watsonville Municipal Airport to maximize the use of Area C.

original signed by:

John M. Casey
Superintendent

Cc: Tami Grove, Director,
Regional Office Coastal Commission
Carlos Palacios, City Manager, Watsonville
Assembly Speaker Pro Tem, Fred Keeley
Terry McHenry, Associate Superintendent, PVUSD
Don French, Director, Municipal Airport