Sequoia Union High School District Menlo Park Small High School Project Draft Environmental Impact Report - Vol. 1 SCH# 2016022066 July 2016 Sequoia Union High School District 480 James Avenue Redwood City, CA 94062 Sequoia Union High School District Menlo Park Small High School Project Draft Environmental Impact Report - Vol. 1 SCH# 2016022066 July 2016 Sequoia Union High School District 480 James Avenue Redwood City, CA 94062 Table of Contents Page i SEQUOIA UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT MENLO PARK SMALL HIGH SCHOOL PROJECT DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT TABLE OF CONTENTS Summary ..................................................................................................................................... S-1 S.1 Project Location ....................................................................................................... S-1 S.2 Project Components ................................................................................................. S-1 S.2.1 Project Construction................................................................................................. S-1 S.2.2 School Operation ..................................................................................................... S-2 S.2.3 Potential SMCCD Partnership ................................................................................. S-2 S.3 Proposed Small High School Description and Features .......................................... S-2 S.4 Proposed Schedule ................................................................................................... S-3 S.5 Project Objectives .................................................................................................... S-3 S.6 Significant Impacts and Mitigation Measures ......................................................... S-3 S.7 Alternatives to the Proposed Project ...................................................................... S-19 S.7.1 Alternatives Considered and Rejected ................................................................... S-19 S.7.2 No Project Alternative ........................................................................................... S-19 S.7.3 Different Small High School Site .......................................................................... S-20 S.7.4 Environmentally Superior Alternative ................................................................... S-21 S.8 Known Areas of Controversy ................................................................................ S-21 Chapter 1 Introduction ........................................................................................................... 1-1 1.1 Project Overview and Background Information ...................................................... 1-1 SUHSD Acquisition of 150 Jefferson Drive ............................................................ 1-3 Bohannon Industrial District Background Information ........................................... 1-3 1.1.2.1 Facebook Campus Project ................................................................................. 1-3 1.1.2.2 Commonwealth Corporate Center Project ........................................................ 1-3 1.1.2.3 Menlo Gateway Project ..................................................................................... 1-3 City of Menlo Park General Plan Update (ConnectMenlo) ..................................... 1-4 School Site Selection Standards / DTSC Environmental Oversight Agreement ..... 1-4 1.2 CEQA Lead Agency Information ............................................................................ 1-4 1.3 Intended Uses of this EIR ........................................................................................ 1-5 Menlo Park Small High School Project Draft EIR Vol. 1 – July 2016 Sequoia Union High School District Page ii Table of Contents Responsible, Trustee, and Interested Agencies ........................................................ 1-5 1.4 EIR Scoping Information ......................................................................................... 1-5 Notice of Preparation of an EIR ............................................................................... 1-5 EIR Scope and Content ............................................................................................ 1-6 1.5 References ................................................................................................................ 1-6 Chapter 2 Project Description ............................................................................................... 2-1 2.1 Project Location and Site Description ..................................................................... 2-1 Menlo Park Small High School Site Description .................................................... 2-1 Existing Access ........................................................................................................ 2-6 Existing Elevation and Topography......................................................................... 2-6 Existing Site Soil, Soil Vapor, and Groundwater Conditions .................................. 2-6 Existing Utilities ...................................................................................................... 2-6 2.2 Project Components ................................................................................................. 2-7 Project Construction................................................................................................. 2-7 On- and Off-Site Utility Improvements ................................................................... 2-8 School Operation ..................................................................................................... 2-8 Potential SMCCCD Partnership .............................................................................. 2-9 2.3 Proposed Small High School Description and Site Features .................................. 2-9 Proposed Layout and Facilities ................................................................................ 2-9 Circulation and Parking ......................................................................................... 2-12 2.3.2.1 Fire Access ...................................................................................................... 2-12 Storm Water Controls ............................................................................................ 2-12 Landscaping ........................................................................................................... 2-13 2.4 Proposed Project Schedule ..................................................................................... 2-13 2.5 Project Objectives .................................................................................................. 2-13 2.6 Permits and Approvals Required by the Project .................................................... 2-14 2.7 References .............................................................................................................. 2-14 Chapter 3 Impact Analysis Methodology ............................................................................. 3-1 3.1 Analytical Methodology .......................................................................................... 3-1 3.2 Summary of EIR Scoping Comments ...................................................................... 3-2 3.3 Project Impacts Found Not to be Significant ........................................................... 3-3 Aesthetics ................................................................................................................. 3-3 Agricultural and Forestry Resources ....................................................................... 3-3 Geology and Soils .................................................................................................... 3-4 Menlo Park Small High School Project Draft EIR Vol. 1 – July 2016 Sequoia Union High School District Table of Contents Page iii 3.3.3.1 Environmental Setting ....................................................................................... 3-4 3.3.3.2 Regulatory Setting ............................................................................................. 3-4 3.3.3.3 Impact Discussion ............................................................................................. 3-5 Greenhouse Gases and Energy................................................................................. 3-5 3.3.4.1 Environmental Setting ....................................................................................... 3-5 3.3.4.2 Regulatory Setting ............................................................................................. 3-6 3.3.4.3 GHG Impact Discussion.................................................................................... 3-7 3.3.4.4 Energy Impact Discussion ................................................................................. 3-8 Land Use and Planning ............................................................................................ 3-8 Mineral Resources ................................................................................................... 3-9 Population and Housing ........................................................................................... 3-9 Recreation ................................................................................................................ 3-9 3.4 References .............................................................................................................