Coastal Commission "Staff" memorandum offers school district path of no resistance

by Peter Nichols

The staff of the California Coastal Commission, seeking to help the Pajaro Valley Unified School District meet its funding deadline, have identified a handful of issues to be addressed prior to issuing a "no substantive issues" recommendation after nine different individuals and groups appealed the District's Coastal Development Permit.

An array of issues were identified by the appellants following the issuance of the permit by the City of Watsonville under their newly certified Local Coastal Plan. According to the appellants, the issues were either inadequately addressed or not addressed at all by the District. They include an alternatives analysis, questions regarding the District's need for impervious surface coverage, safety issues resulting from the planned school's proximity to a nearby municipal airport, the planned access route which differs from that previously suggested, inadequacy of geotechnical analysis, view shed issues and a host of others.

The following issues were raised in just one of the nine appeals:
• District needs
• Aeronautics evaluation
• Alternatives analysis
• Many others

The memorandum is a follow-up to two August meetings attended by District superintendents, city officials, Peter Douglas, Assemblyman Fred Keeley, the local staff and a host of planners and engineers. Of those issues identified by the "staff," the alternatives are not mentioned. Neither is the District's needs. The aeronautics issue is addressed but the Commission's previous insistence on "what part of area C is safe for a school" is not. The lack of clear title to the property is addressed along with requirements that easements must be dedicated as is the District's grading plan. There are numerous technical issues that the memo suggests must be addressed "prior to issuance of a Coastal Development Permit."

The District, which has prepared its response, suggests the Commission's concerns can be addressed with a legal document guaranteeing compliance with requirements "prior to exercising the Coastal Development Permit," which they hope will allow them to put the project out to bid and contract for the construction prior to the State's funding deadline in November.

A number of appellants have met with the local staff and a meeting has been arranged between them and Peter Douglas, Coastal Commission Executive Director. That meeting has been scheduled, but the Sept. 20 date is after the District's deadline for responding to the memorandum.