Ventura County Grand Jury • 2004-2005

Elementary School Site Selection Adjacent to Oxnard Airport

Published: January 27, 2005 6 pages
Ver PDF original

Findings 17 findings

F01
In November 2002, the OSD entered into an agreement to purchase the property for the proposed elementary school site at Fifth Street and Patterson Road wherein approvals were obtained from: • Department of Toxic Substance Control • Department of Education • Department of Transportation • Aeronautic Division • City of Oxnard Zoning Laws (City Planning Commission and Oxnard City Council) • Airport Land Use Commission (approve or override) • California Environmental Quality Act • Approval of an avigation easement with the County of Ventura Airport Authority. (The word "avigation" means airborne operation and navigation of aircraft.)
F02
On April 14, 2004, the OSD approved a motion to enter into escrow agreement with Centex Homes for the acquisition of the school site (designated by the OSD as 25A) located at Fifth Street and Patterson Road for the purchase price of $1.2 million.
F03
On December 14, 2004, the OSD Board determined all conditions as specified in the Purchase and Sale Agreement necessary to close escrow on the proposed school site had been met.
F04
On January 27, 2005, the California Department of Education approved the acquisition and use for purpose of constructing a school.
F05
The OSD has certified to the California Department of Education that there is no other district-owned site useable for this project.
F06
The OSD will work with the Oxnard Airport, the Federal Aviation Administration and local helicopter operators to redirect paths to the Teal Club Road route as recommended in the June 18, 2002, Aircraft Hazard and Land Use Risk Assessment.
F07
The OSD has certified that this project is either exempt from, or has completed, the California Environmental Quality Act process.
F08
The School Facilities Planning Division (SFPD) of the State of California Board of Education is charged with the responsibility to establish a procedure for the selection and construction of a school site.
F09
On November 19, 2002, the Ventura County Transportation Commission addressed a letter to the Oxnard Planning Department making reference to a public hearing held November 5, 2002 pertaining to the proposed school site.
F10
The Airport Land Use Commission findings of the project as presented and reviewed are consistent with the Airport Comprehensive Land Use Plan for Ventura County as stated.
F11
The OSD complied with the requirements of California Education Code section 17251 and the California Department of Education School Facilities Planning Division by properly filling out the required forms (SFPD 4.0, 4.01).
F12
The California Constitution Article 9, section 14, states in part “The Legislature may authorize the governing boards of all school districts to initiate and carry on any programs, activities, or to otherwise act in any manner which is not in conflict with the laws and purposes for which school districts are established.”
F13
The OSD has identified airport runways, airfields and airstrips within two nautical miles (12,152 feet) of the school site, including crop dusting and mosquito abatement airstrips. The California Department of Transportation, Division of Aeronautics has performed an air traffic safety analysis for the school site, which falls within two nautical miles of the site. The result of this analysis shows that all stipulations and requirements were resolved.
F14
In September 2004, Impact Sciences, Inc. prepared the Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR) for the Oxnard School District Operations and Facilities.
F15
The FEIR satisfied the requirements of the Department of Airports, County of Ventura, Ventura County Transportation Commission, Aircraft Owners and Pilot Association and the Federal Aviation Administration U.S. Department of Transportation by responding to all the concerns.
F16
The City of Oxnard conducted a city-wide workshop called Visioning Process for the General Plan Update during the year 2002.
F17
The City of Oxnard adopted a General Plan in 1990 which is also known as the 2020 Plan. Conclusions C-01. There has been public awareness since 2002 of plans by the OSD to construct an elementary school adjacent to the Ventura County Airport in the City of Oxnard. (F-01, F-09, F-16) C-02. There has been due process for individual citizens and groups to raise questions, offer objections and voice opinions regarding a school site near the airport. (F-01, F-09, F-16, F-17) C-03. There is evidence that objections, criticisms and recommendations have been resolved or mitigated as shown in the Final Environmental Impact Report. (F-07, F-08, F-09, F-14, F-15) C-04. There is a definite need for both the City of Oxnard and the Oxnard School District to continue to inform the residents of future planning for community growth. (F-16, F-17) C-05. The Grand Jury found no evidence in this investigation of violation of public trust on the part of the City of Oxnard or the Oxnard School District. (F-02,

Recommendations 3

Conclusions 1

No Responses Found 2

Government entities assigned to respond to this report. No response documents have been linked in our database.

Oxnard City
Oxnard Elementary School District School District