GUHSD holding meeting to gather public input

By Lori Bledsoe
The Alpine Sun

     EL CAJON — On Oct. 8, Interim Superintendent Donald G. Haught, from the Grossmont Union High School District sent out notifications via e-mail regarding the upcoming NOP, or Notice of Preparation Public Scoping Meeting that is to be held on Tuesday, Oct. 30, beginning with an open house at 6:30 p.m. with the official meeting to start promptly at 7 p.m. at the Alpine Community Center.
     This meeting is to update all concerned parties on the progress made on the Environmental Impact Report, which is being conducted by Essentia Management Services, regarding three of the proposed sites for the 12th GUHSD high school proposed project.
     As previously reported, GUHSD has proposed three study sites, that will undergo an Environmental Impact Report. These sites include, study area B, approximately 82 acres of land located in the southern portions of the Alpine Community (a.k.a. Wright’s Field). The second study area G is 290 acres of land located near the western border of the Alpine Community, approximately one-quarter mile east of the intersection of Chocolate Summit Drive and Dunbar Lane (a.k.a. Chocolate Summit).
     Lastly, study area J is 89 acres of land located on the eastern portion of the Alpine community on the south side of Alpine Boulevard, approximately 300 feet east of the intersection with South Grade Road, (a.k.a. Lazy A Ranch).
     The notice of preparation’s purpose is to solicit input from regulatory and trustee agencies as well as the public regarding the scope and content of the Draft EIR in accordance with State CEQA (California Environmental Quality Act) and the State CEQA guidelines. This upcoming meeting is not to release the actual EIR.
     The proposed project will include the acquisition of land and the construction and operation of a public high school that will house grades 9 through 12. As Alpine knows, this proposed high school, will provide relief from existing GUHSD high schools like Granite Hills, and will reduce commuting times for Alpine residents.
     The proposed school will accommodate approximately 2,000 students and will include athletic fields. This project will also require the demolition of any existing structures on whichever study area is selected.
     The environmental impacts that will be discussed will include aesthetics and visual quality, air quality, biological resources, cultural resources, geology and soils, hazards and hazardous materials, noise, land use and planning, population and housing, transportation/traffic, and water quality. Issues that are identified as significant will be addressed in the EIR.
     This upcoming meeting, on Oct. 30, will give all who is interested the opportunity to address concerns about the proposed project. In addition, the public will have the opportunity to receive more information on the proposed projects, as well as provide any additional comments and suggestions on the scope of the EIR.
     Procedures for response to the NOP are specific. GUHSD is now accepting written comments from agencies and members of the public regarding the scope and content to the draft EIR for the proposed project. Due to time limits mandated by state law, comments must be submitted in writing at the earliest possible date, but not later than November 8, 2007.
     Comments and suggestions should be forwarded to Essentia Management services LLC, Attn: Daryl Hernandez, Project Manager, 12396 World Trade Drive, Suite 306, San Diego, CA 92128.

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