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Update December 14, 2012
Tom Cole, Chief Operations Officer stated that the District's consultant (The Planning Center) has proceeded with work related to the revised Notice of Preparation (NOP) after the Board's approval on Nov. 16, 2011. He said the revised NOP / Initial Study document will be circulated by the end of January 2012. Staff has commenced the process of a phase 1 approval with the Department of Toxic Substance Control (DTSC). Mr. Cole also stated that the District has received proposals and commenced work for the due diligence process including biological, cultural resources and other analyses on the proposed hybrid site. In March 2012, staff will report back to the Board relative to the completion and results of their due diligence. Upon Board approval, the projected next step will be to complete the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) sections and then circulate the revised EIR document in early summer 2012 with the expectation of having a certified EIR by the end of summer. Due to the additional analysis on the proposed hybrid site, the current projected opening date for the school is Fall 2015 to 9th graders only; and a year will be added each year to serve 9th-12th graders. The school will open with all academic, extracurricular and athletic programs that are available to 9th graders at other Hart District comprehensive high schools.
Update November 17, 2011
The Hart School Board authorized District staff to fully analyze a proposed "hybrid site" as an alternative site for Castaic Area High School, at the Nov. 16, 2011 regular board meeting. The "hybrid site" expands the current preferred Romero Canyon site with the additional acreage from of an adjacent property that is currently available for purchase. Under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the District is required to consider alternatives to a proposed project.
The Wm. S. Hart Union High School District received a proposal on Oct. 19 from Romero Canyon LLC, that the property adjacent to the preferred Romero Canyon site was made available for purchase. This property, formerly owned by Eugene Lombardi, was acquired by the law firm of Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton, LLP in mid-October, and the current Romero Canyon property owner is considering purchasing the property to offer the District the opportunity to enhance the project by utilizing the combined sites.
In the proposal presented by Romero Canyon LLC, the District was advised that a potential "hybrid site" comprised of a portion of the Romero Canyon site and a portion of the additional property could provide an alternative to the Romero Canyon site for the planned construction of the Castaic Area High School.
"At the board's direction, the proposed hybrid site will be analyzed," Gail Pinsker, District spokesperson said. "This combined site is potentially a great opportunity for the District to deliver an exceptional school campus to the families in Castaic, at reduced construction costs."
Following the selection of the Romero Canyon site as the "preferred site," in July 2010, the Board selected The Planning Center as the District's environmental consultant to undertake the environmental analysis of the Romero Canyon site. As part of the board approval, The Planning Center will produce additional environmental studies, as necessary to comply with CEQA and similar to the Romero Canyon property.
Update October 5, 2011
Tom Cole, Chief Operations Officer stated that comments received by the District during the March 2011 Notice of Preparation (NOP) public comment period for Castaic area high school included interest in a second public access route to and from the campus and as a result, the district is reviewing a secondary access route. The route is from Hillcrest Parkway to Sloan Canyon Road to Barringer Road to Romero Canyon Road to the school site. A revised NOP and Initial Study is available for review with a 30-day comment period from Oct. 6, 2011 to Nov. 10, 2011. Comments received will be considered in the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) that is anticipated to be ready for public review by the end of this calendar year.
Update August 17, 2011
Tom Cole, Chief Operations Officer, presented a report to the Board of Directors stating that the Preliminary Environmental Assessment (PEA) for the Castaic area high school has been prepared in accordance with school district guidelines for implementing California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and AB 972 requirements for public review. Mr. Cole also stated that pursuant to the Education Code, the District is required to obtain a "No Further Action" determination from Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) on the PEA prior to proceeding with the acquisition/construction of a new school in Castaic and the results of the PEA have determined that no further assessment is needed at this time on the preferred site of Romero Canyon. After filing a public notice on August 1, 2011, the District conducted a public hearing on August 16, 2011, to receive comments on the PEA, with no one attending the hearing nor had any written comments been received to date. He indicated that the written public comment period would conclude on September 1, 2011 and following September 1, the District will notify DTSC of the results to obtain final approval.
Update July 20, 2011
Presented by Tom Cole, Chief Operations Officer
Mr. Cole reported that 1) the three additional borings approved by the Board were completed and the findings will be submitted in a report to CGS (California Geologic Survey), 2) CGS was on site and conducted their own investigation on each exposed boring; and 3) that the seller is proceeding with eliminating the District's title exceptions.
Update June 22, 2011
Presented by Tom Cole, Chief Operations Officer
Mr. Cole reported that 1) the District advised the seller of all title exceptions, completed on June 13, 2011, 2) the seller agreed to cure all title exceptions, received by the District on June 16, 2011, and 3)the seller requested of the District the release of the $170,000 deposit on the preferred school site of Romero Canyon to the seller relative to an escrow transaction which occurred this date, June 22, 2011.
Update on April 13, 2011
Presented by Tom Cole, Chief Operations Officer:
Mr. Cole stated that the scoping meeting took place on March 8, 2011. The deadline for comments was march 28, 2011; seven agency responses and 25 individual responses were received. he said that architectural work is proceeding and includes the start of a schematic design on a conceptual bases; most of the work is transferable to another site, if necessary, at no additional cost according to the contract with the architect.
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