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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMaterials Distributed at MeetingJuly 6, 2010 Arcadia Unified School District Superintendent 234 Campus Drive ' Arcadia, California 91007 (626) 821 -6640 • Fax (626) 821 -8647 RE: Proposed 43 Unit Senior Citizen Apartment Project At 16 Campus Drive Arcadia, Ca. To: Arcadia City Mayor Peter Amundson Arcadia City Council Members The Arcadia Unified School District ( "District ") received notice of the City of Arcadia ( "City ") City's public hearing set for July 6, 2010, regarding the proposed 43 Unit Senior Citizen Apartment at 16 Campus Drive in the City of Arcadia ( "Project "). The Project is located approximately five (5) feet from the Arcadia High School site. Also, we understand that the Project would replace an existing apartment building that is composed of seven (7) apartment units. By way of this correspondence, the District respectfully requests that the City postpone and continue its consideration of the Project in order to allow the District the opportunity to make a thorough review and evaluation of the Project's environmental impacts on the District's adjacent high school site located in close proximity to the Project site and the sufficiency of any mitigation. Please be advised that the District has verbally expressed significant concerns regarding multiple aspects of the Project, and this correspondence provides further comments regarding the District's concerns. The District values and appreciates its good intergovernmental relationship with the City and is hopeful the City will work with the District to address its concerns regarding the Project and will meet with the District representatives to address the environmental impacts the Project has on the affected school site. We feel the initial study contains inadequate justification for the preparation of a negative declaration rather than an EIR. The purpose of an initial study is to provide the analysis necessary to determine whether an EIR will be required for a project, or whether a negative declaration may be adopted instead. The decision must be based on substantial evidence in light of the whole record that a project may or may not have a significant effect on the environment. Given staff's recommendation for a negative declaration we believe the following should be included as a condition of your approval of the project: 1. All residents shall sign an affidavit as part of their agreement for occupation of their residential unit affirming that they are aware their unit is adjacent to an active use (Arcadia High School) which may lead to noise, light and glare. The form of the affidavit shall be prepared by the City Attorney and submitted to the Arcadia Unified School District for review, comment and approval. If the School District and City staff cannot agree on the wording of the affidavit, the draft will be brought to City Council for Board of Education Janet Chew • Maryann Gibson • Cung Nguyen • Lori Phillipi • Joann E. Steinmeier Joel Shawn, Ed. D., Superintendent approval. A copy of the signed affidavits shall be submitted by the developer and its successors in interest, and shall be kept on file in the Planning Division (please refer to 1%W attached "Draft Affidavit Points "). 2. The developer shall establish a complaint system where any complaint about noise or activities at the adjacent high school shall be lodged with the resident manager who will deal with staff assigned from the Planning Department. If appropriate, the Planning Department staff will contact the Arcadia Unified School District to address the complaint. 3. The applicant shall install a 30 -foot tall fence along the western boundary of the site and said fence shall be covered in screen cloth. Vines or other suitable landscape material shall be planted along the base of the fence, capable of covering the fence within a three - year time frame. 4. The City will discuss options and or mitigations with AUSD and consider, if possible, the following regarding the project: a. Consideration of elimination of balconies on the west side of the project b. Consideration of locating the building closer to the east side of the property c. Consideration of requiring high level noise reduction windows and insulation. d. Consideration of alternatives for less density, height and more parking for the complex IA 16NIFIE11D%SCHOOL DISTRICT Jdel %hawn, Ed.D Board of Education Janet Chew • Maryann Gibson • Cung Nguyen • Lori Phillipi • Joann E. Steinmeier Joel Shawn, Ed. D., Superintendent Draft Affidavit Points The signatory of this affidavit acknowledges that he /she is purchasing/renting a unit adjacent to an active land use — Arcadia High School and its athletic fields. Signatory agrees these activities and points will not be incompatible with their living arrangements and will not consider such events a nuisance. • In addition to high school athletes, the athletic fields, track and tennis courts are used by athletic groups and individuals in this and surrounding communities. • The athletic fields are used from morning to night, seven days per week. • Students will be using the fields daily directly at the fence boundary and residents will not associate, communicate or interact with students in any way, including but not limited to conversations, gestures, taking of pictures, or using inappropriate language within hearing distance of students. • Whistles, megaphones, radios and CD players are used throughout practices and games. • The public address system may be in use on any given day from 7:00 am until midnight. • The band and percussion groups use the fields and Campus Drive for marching and field practice any time between 7:00 am and 11:00 pm. • The stadium other field lights are on daily as needed until as late as midnight. • School bells ring throughout the weekdays and weekends at regularly scheduled times. • Scheduled events have and may include fireworks The entrance to Campus Village will be on Campus Drive. The signatory acknowledges that: • Campus Drive is blocked off at Santa Anita two or three mornings each week during the late summer and fall for marching band practice and no cars are able to access Campus Drive from approximately 8:00 to 9:00 am. • Auto and pedestrian traffic is generally concentrated on Campus Drive and Duarte Road from 7:30 to 8:30 am (start of regular school day) and from 2:30 to 3:30 pm.(end of regular school day) and special events Monday through Sunday through out the year for school related and fundraising events.