El Dorado districts seek new sites exempt from oak-protection measures.
By Cathy Locke - Bee Staff Writer
An attorney representing El Dorado County school districts urged the county Planning Commission to exempt new school sites from oak woodland protection requirements.
Though the commission last week postponed discussion and adoption of interim oak woodland guidelines, it agreed to hear public comment on the matter.
Attorney Bill Wright said oak preservation measures required under the county's general plan could have a significant effect on school districts.
The districts are subject to the California Environmental Quality Act, he said, and school construction projects in the county have in the past included significant efforts to compensate for the loss of trees on the property. But, Wright said, "I'm concerned about the future of future school sites and the impact."
Though the general plan and proposed interim guidelines allow for trees to be planted off-site to compensate for those removed because of construction, Wright said, "There is no state funding to provide off-site mitigation for oak woodlands."
But if a district were to choose property with a large number of oak trees, he said, it likely would be unable to provide the necessary tree replacement on the school site.
Districts seek larger acreages for schools than they did in the past. High schools once were thought to require about 50 acres, Wright said, but newer campuses are closer to 80 acres. Middle schools typically require 30 acres and elementary schools, about 15 acres, he said.
To avoid higher costs, districts look for property that requires the least amount of grading and tree removal, Wright said.
High school sites needed to handle anticipated growth have been identified, he said, but elementary districts in the western part of the county continue to grow and will need new schools, he said. ...
