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Planning commission approves plan for Connecting Waters Charter School at 12500 Yosemite Boulevard
Summary
The Waterford Planning Commission approved an administrative use permit and site plan for Connecting Waters Charter School, a two‑story facility proposed for four parcels at 12500 Yosemite Boulevard; commissioners raised concerns about parking, traffic and potential impacts on future commercial development. Staff found the project consistent with local zoning and classified it as CEQA Class 32 infill-exempt.
The Waterford Planning Commission voted to approve Resolution 2026‑12, allowing an administrative use permit and architectural site plan for the proposed Connecting Waters Charter School at 12500 Yosemite Boulevard.
Jayla Smith, a contract planner for the city, told the commission the project would demolish an existing family home and build a two‑story school on four parcels fronting Yosemite Boulevard and Riverside Road. "The project consists of the demolition of the existing Segal family home and detached garage to allow for the construction of a new 2 story building, which will be the Connecting Waters Charter School," Smith said, and added staff found the proposal consistent with zoning and city design guidelines. Staff recommended the commission find the project exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act under the Class 32 infill exemption.
Under the plan, the school would be a non‑classroom‑based charter with a local resource center and limited on‑site attendance: about 50–70 students are expected to be on campus on Wednesdays from roughly 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with staff present from about 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. The site plan calls for 70 vehicle parking spaces and 14 bicycle spaces, a playfield with a three‑foot stormwater basin beneath it, a greenhouse, a commercial kitchen and a library. Jayla Smith said access will be provided by two driveways on Riverside Road and that an existing driveway on Yosemite Boulevard would be limited to emergency access per Caltrans discussions.
Melinda Miller, operations administrative assistant with Connecting Waters Charter School, said the school has been authorized by Waterford Unified School District for about 25 years and operates multiple campuses and a local resource center. "We have probably well over 600 to 700 students" across the network, Miller said, and explained the 50–70 on‑site figure reflects a fluctuating attendance for resource‑center days; she added the school has a facilities‑use agreement with Waterford High School for larger events such as graduation.
Commissioners pressed on likely traffic and parking impacts and on longer‑term land‑use consequences. One commissioner asked whether locating a public school on a prime commercial corridor would limit future commercial uses or reduce tax revenue; Miller said she did not have tax‑revenue figures but that charter schools are generally exempt from property taxes. Another commissioner worried that events could draw many family members in addition to the stated on‑site student count and asked where overflow parking would go; Miller responded that the largest events would continue to use Waterford High School facilities under an agreement.
Staff clarified zoning implications, noting the commercial‑highway zoning district permits public schools with an administrative use permit and that approving this project would not rezone the property. "This is a use that's permitted in this zone district subject to an administrative use permit," staff said, adding that code amendments would be required if the council wanted to change permitted uses in commercial zones.
A commissioner moved to approve the resolution and another commissioner seconded. The commission completed a roll‑call vote and the motion carried (recorded responses show multiple yes votes and one no). The commission did not record any recusals.
After the vote, staff updated the commission on other planning matters, including the city council’s approval of the sixth‑cycle housing element (staff expects state certification), review of Lake Point subdivision maps with formal consideration anticipated in June, ongoing Waterstone construction and final‑map processing, and a grant application in development to fund design and environmental work for a park along the Tuolumne River Parkway.
The commission also discussed bicycle and pedestrian connections tied to the general plan circulation element and the city’s bicycle/pedestrian master plan; staff noted any use of MID (Modesto Irrigation District) canal banks for trails would require MID engagement. The meeting adjourned following a motion and second.
