Title
SAGE HILL MIDDLE SCHOOL (PA2022-0277)
Site Location: 20402 Newport Coast Drive
Recommendation
Summary:
A major site development review, minor use permit, and traffic study to increase student enrollment from 600 to 750 students and to construct a new three-story, 38,658 square-foot middle school (i.e., grades 7-8) and gymnasium building for Sage Hill School on the northern portion of the existing campus. The proposed structure would exceed the remaining 20,166 square feet authorized by the original use permit; therefore, the request includes an amendment to increase the total floor area on-site by 18,492 square feet for a total of 160,392 square feet. The proposed middle school and gymnasium building includes eight classrooms, a café, offices, storage rooms, outdoor learning areas, and approximately 824 bleacher seats within the gymnasium. The proposed project also includes nighttime lighting and landscaping improvements for the existing baseball field as well as landscaping improvements for the new school and gymnasium building. Lastly, the project includes improvements to Newport Coast Drive to extend the existing left turn lane at the intersection of Newport Coast Drive and the Coyote Canyon Landfill Renewable Energy Facility (REF), which is intended to improve queuing capacity. No changes are proposed to the existing high school facilities (i.e., grades 9-12) which will continue to be regulated by Use Permit No. PA97-0173.
Recommended Actions:
1. Conduct a public hearing;
2. Find this project exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15301 under Class 1 (Existing Facilities) and under Section 15314 under Class 14 (Minor Additions to Schools) of the CEQA Guidelines, because it has no potential to have a significant effect on the environment; and
3. Adopt Resolution No. PC2023-042 approving a Major Site Development Revie, Minor Use Permit, and Traffic Study (Attachment No. PC 1).