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Santa Catalina School gets commission approval for turf field, retaining walls and tree removals
Summary
The Monterey Planning Commission unanimously approved four permits for athletic-field upgrades at Santa Catalina School, including conversion to synthetic turf, a new track, fencing and six development-related tree removals with required 2:1 replacement.
The Monterey Planning Commission unanimously approved four permits May 12 for athletic-field improvements at Santa Catalina School, including replacement of natural grass with synthetic turf, a new track, retaining walls, fencing and associated ADA and drainage work.
Staff recommended approval after finding the project consistent with the school’s 2010 master plan and the Monterey General Plan. Chris Schmidt, senior associate planner, told commissioners the work was contemplated in earlier master-plan approvals and that staff could make the required findings. He noted there would be no new field lighting and that the project requires six development-related tree removals with a 2:1 replacement requirement under the environmental document prepared for the master plan.
Barbara Ostos, head of school, said the project would provide a regulation-size field for the first time in the school’s 75-year history and improve student safety and access. “The approval of this project will represent the first time in 75 years that Catalina has a regulation-size field,” Ostos said, adding the school expects reduced water use with synthetic turf and no new field lights.
Public commenters raised concerns about tree removal counts, the condition ratings reported by the project arborist, potential effects on groundwater and the treatment of any cultural or buried resources discovered during grading. Schmidt and staff said the permits include required mitigation and replacement conditions and that tree removals were limited to those necessary for the improvements.
Commissioners praised the application’s preparation and community outreach. Commissioner Freeman moved to approve the architectural review, use permit, variance and tree-removal permit; Commissioner Stoker seconded and the motion carried on a unanimous roll call vote. The decision is appealable to the city council within 10 days.
The project record includes a requirement that the applicant provide replacement trees at a 2:1 ratio for the documented development-related removals and comply with the mitigation measures in the adopted environmental clearance.
