Golden Eagle charter school's metal building project
The City of Mt. Shasta is seeking public comments about a new project's visual impacts. A large metal building being proposed for the Golden Eagle Charter School's relocation. This school building would be in a very visible location adjacent to the Interstate-5 freeway. In the initial environmental study for this school project, its authors paid little attention to the harmful aesthetic impact the project would create in this special scenic setting. They entirely ignored that Interstate-5 here is part of the Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway. The Initial Study also missed the significant risk that this building could undo Interstate-5's eligibility as a State Scenic Highway. As the result during this public comment period, you have an opportunity to set the record straight. This website will present information about the project so that you can voice your opinion and comments about protecting our amazing scenic valley from irrevocable damage this unsightly project may cause.
Artist's illustration of Golden Eagle Charter School's proposed pre-fabricated metal building as seen from Interstate-5
Problems with project's environmental review
- The project's Initial Study does not adequately disclose how scenic this project's location is. It also deceptively makes this site seem hidden from public view by dense trees when actually it will be starkly visible.
- Nowhere does the Initial Study show the public what the school would look like in context with its surrounding scenery.
- The City of Mt. Shasta prohibits metal buildings on land with this residential zoning because such industrial buildings are unattractive and inconsistent with the City's Architectural Design Guidelines, but the Initial Study missed that restriction.
- The school's parking lot lighting would be up to eight times brighter than recommended, thus creating glare along Pine Street and Interstate-5 and for neighbors and "sky glow" interference with views of everyone's night skies.
- The project also proposes cutting down dozens of mature trees that shield visibility of many buildings from freeway travelers. At the same time, dozens of trees supposedly required by the City for beauty and shade would not be planted.
- As a result, California requires the City to have prepared an Environmental Impact Report to evaluate the aesthetic impact of the project.
Project violates mt. shasta'sMountain Village Theme
Mt. Shasta mandates compliance with its "Mountain Village Theme" for such large buildings, but the Initial Study never mentions that. Various provisions in that law were adopted to improve the appearance of large buildings to make them fit in with a small town's charm and to encourage excellence in design. The building's materials should be more natural and pleasing in appearance, not metal. Landscaping is required where buildings are visible from public roads but no landscaping is proposed adjacent to I-5. By contrast, this school appears more like a warehouse only suitable for out-of-sight industrial property.
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In residential zones, Mt. shasta prohibitsMetal Buildings
Yet this fact is missing in the Initial Study which was prepared in Chico, CA. The City only allows pre-fabricated metal buildings on Industrial-zoned land, and even then, not where adjacent to homes as exist here. "Pre-fabricated metal buildings shall only be permitted as a principal building within the Controlled Manufacturing (CM) or General Industrial (M) District…”
And also in City's Design Guidelines: "Pre-fabricated metal buildings shall not be permitted in industrial districts where the proposal would be adjacent to single-family or multi-family residential land uses." Homes exist immediately south of the proposed school site. |
Project is proposed withOverly Bright Outdoor Lighting
To protect views of the night skies, so valued in rural communities far from big cities, the International Dark Sky Association and the Illuminating Engineering Society recommend parking lot lighting levels up to 8 times less bright than proposed for this school. The harsh parking lot lighting will not be adequately shielded from direct view along I-5 or Pine Street. Yet the Initial Study never studied that brightness level.
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golden eagle charter school site plan
Environmental study:
Project's Environmental Study (Initial-Study) is online here:
https://ceqanet.opr.ca.gov/2019049022/3/Attachment/CWVg9x
(Appendices here)
https://ceqanet.opr.ca.gov/2019049022/3/Attachment/_avZmu
https://ceqanet.opr.ca.gov/2019049022/3/Attachment/CWVg9x
(Appendices here)
https://ceqanet.opr.ca.gov/2019049022/3/Attachment/_avZmu
Send your comments to:
- Juliana Lucchesi, Mt. Shasta City Planner: [email protected]
- City Manager Bruce Pope: [email protected]
- or to the Mt. Shasta Planning Commission, City of Mt. Shasta, 305 N. Mt. Shasta Blvd., Mt. Shasta, CA 96067
Please send your comments before the Planning Commission holds a public hearing on this project on October 6, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. Ideally comments would be sent before October 1st so City officials will have time to consider your thoughts in detail.
This Project's public hearing will be shown live on the Internet. The link to the Zoom meeting will be on the Planning Commission agenda posted on the City’s website 72 hours before the meeting: https://mtshastaca.gov/clerk/agendas-minutes/
https://video.ibm.com/channel/d3kreevpzCD
- Click here to access Mt. Shasta City Council & Planning Commission meetings, live stream or archived. City Council is streaming the second and fourth Mondays of the month, starting at 5:30 p.m. The Planning Commission is streaming the third Tuesday of the month, starting at 6:00 p.m.
Please contact Deputy City Clerk - Kathy Joyce at 926-7516 or [email protected] with any questions about the public hearing.
Sample letter format:
(Your name and address)
Mt. Shasta Planning Commission and City Staff
City of Mt. Shasta, CA 96067
City Manager Bruce Pope [email protected]
City Planner Juliana Lucchesi [email protected]
Re: Public Comment on Proposed IS/MND for Golden Eagle Charter School Project
September ___, 2020
Planning Commissioners and Staff,
The Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND) fails to address significant problems associated with this Golden Eagle Charter School project. For example, I believe this project would be inappropriate if built at this location. As planned on a very visible and scenic site, this school would create a significant aesthetic impact.
(Use your own words and ideas)
Mt. Shasta Planning Commission and City Staff
City of Mt. Shasta, CA 96067
City Manager Bruce Pope [email protected]
City Planner Juliana Lucchesi [email protected]
Re: Public Comment on Proposed IS/MND for Golden Eagle Charter School Project
September ___, 2020
Planning Commissioners and Staff,
The Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND) fails to address significant problems associated with this Golden Eagle Charter School project. For example, I believe this project would be inappropriate if built at this location. As planned on a very visible and scenic site, this school would create a significant aesthetic impact.
(Use your own words and ideas)