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In This Issue...
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Opinions
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Capitola Mayor Explains Lawsuit Decision
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Capitola Mayor Explains Lawsuit Decision
This letter is in response to The Post's recent article concerning the Capitola City Council's action to bring an environmental impact report lawsuit against the Soquel Union Elementary School District. The lawsuit resulted from the decision by the school district that there would be no environmental impacts if a new elementary school were built at Jade Street Park. The Capitola City Council disagrees with that finding [made by the district]. In addition, the City believes that the level of traffic mitigation proposed would be inadequate.
It is not surprising that a project of this magnitude and scope at Jade Street Park would create a difference of option between the school district and the city council. The school district is carrying out its purpose in furthering education while the city council is responsible for many other aspects of our community; traffic, recreation, environmental quality, protection, etc. Sometimes these differing perspectives may be at odds with one another and, especially, where it involves the precious recreation space located at Jade Street Park.
The city council and the school district have been in discussion about this issue for many months. Members of the city council and the trustees of the district regularly meet to discuss a variety of common issue, including this particular one. We continue to meet to iron out our differences.
The city council does not oppose the building of the planned preschool at Jade Street Park. The city council does not oppose the location of an elementary school in Capitola; in fact, would like to see it happen when it is warranted by student population. However, to build a complete K-6 kindergarten and elementary school requires that there be a full environmental review of the impacts on such things as traffic, recreation, noise, cultural resources, and air quality, among others.
In addition, we understand that the school may not be built for many years in the future, maybe 15 or 20 years. There should not be a negative declaration of environmental impact now which is intended to speak for this long into the future. Circumstances may change and an environmental review should be done closer to the time that the school will actually be built. We believe that at that time the residents of Capitola should have a greater say in how the environmental issues will be addressed. That only makes common sense.
Both the city council and school district have agreed to engage in voluntary mediation to resolve this litigation. We believe that we can forge an agreement that will meet the school district educational needs while considering the interests of the city and neighbors surrounding Jade Street Park. Maybe we can even use this opportunity to forge a permanent joint use agreement for Jade Street Park!
Sam Storey, Mayor
Capitola City Council
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