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Traffic, trees dominate SUSD hearing about school proposal
Board might opt to change opinion, ask for full EIR
Final hearing March 9
By Michelle Alaimo
Saratoga Union School District board members got an earful from the community about their plan to accept a negative declaration recommended by LSA Associations, the consulting group that prepared the environmental report preparatory to the beginning of construction at Saratoga School.
In the emotion-charged session, a number of parents and others in the community insisted that the report is flawed.
The board will decide on March 9 whether to accept the negative declaration. The board can also choose to add to or change the study.
In the wake of the board's decision to remove several historic eucalyptus trees as part of the Saratoga School renovation, opposition to the plan has mounted. The city of Saratoga and a number of citizens have written to insist that a full EIR be done--not only because of the trees but because the report by LSA Associates does not adequately deal with the traffic impact of the renovation. The district must take these comments into consideration before making a decision.
Because Saratoga School is a historical school, the initial study had to be drawn up in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), which requires a 30-day public review period. Construction is slated to begin in June.Mayor Jim Shaw sent the district a letter on Feb. 17 highlighting the city's concerns with the report. The letter includes a reference to the removal of two large eucalyptus trees near the playground, and states that their removal would result in "a significant cultural impact."
The city's main concern, however, was with traffic problems at the school. Shaw said the study offers no solutions to traffic and circulation problems at the school and does not even address current problems, much less those in the future.
Saratoga Public Safety Commission Chairman Frank Lemmon also told the board he was concerned because he's seen children "milling around" cars there on campus to drop off or pick up children.
Residents also didn't let the board forget they're concerned about the proposed June removal of 10 eucalyptus trees that will make way for a larger playfield.
Former board member Jill Hunter, who resigned in protest late last year over the decision to remove the trees said, "The negative declaration does not answer the question of the historical trees." She added that at least one of the trees is 111 years old and the other nine have been there since at least 1890. Hunter has been working with independent landscape architect Rebecca Dye on an alternate plan for the school.
Others were not so concerned with saving the trees but wanted to focus more on what was best for the students.
Parent Sue Miller, who was involved with the school's facilities committee, said every attempt was made to save the trees. She said that with a proposed increased enrollment over the next 10 years, children need more room to play.
Saratoga's school PTA president Sue Nakaji said she spent a year supervising the schoolyard and witnessed a lot of scraped knees from children slipping on eucalyptus pods.
Nakaji explained how she has seen children literally play through each other's games because they do not have enough space.
While some expressed concern that the school district's bond, passed by voters two years ago, never mentioned axing the trees, bond election worker Marcie Burns reminded parents that the bond money is to be used to improve the schools.
"What this issue is about is children and not the trees," Burns said. She said what the district needs to do now is plant trees with a purpose, such as in areas that will help shade the play areas.
At its next meeting on March 9 at 7:30 p.m. in the Redwood Middle School Library, the board will decide what to do with all the input.
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Saratoga, California Since 1975
