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The Porter Ranch K-8 school has begun the Environmental Impact Review (EIR) process. The LAUSD Office of Environmental Healthy & Safety conducted a community meeting June 10, 2008 to review their initial study findings. They collected public comments and questions and will prepare a Draft EIR report for public review and comment. The draft report is due in late August. Upon completion of a 45 day public review period, it is expected that the final report will be sent for LAUSD Board approval in December.

The Porter Ranch K-8 school is planned open fall 2012 to serve 1,047 students at the southeast corner of Mason and Sesnon.
The initial study found that the school would have no impact on agricultural resources, land use, mineral resources,  population and housing, and recreation. The school is expected to have “less than significant impacts” on aesthetics, biological resources, cultural resources, geology and soils, hazardous materials, water quality, public services, and utilities and service systems.

However, several items were listed as having “potentially significant impacts”: air quality, noise, pedestrian safety, transportation and traffic. During the meeting, questions were raised about how the traffic study would be completed. John Moreno, the LAUSD California Environmental Quality Act Project Manager, explained that they would be considering traffic within a half mile of the school using information about expected residents when the school begins operations.

You may view the initial study and Draft EIR at Castlebay Lane & Germain Elementary Schools, Frost & Lawrence Middle Schools, the Porter Ranch Library and on the PRNC.org website. The next exciting step for the school is the Design Development Meeting scheduled for Wednesday, July 9, 2008, 6:30pm at Germain Elementary. This meeting will review and seek comment on the building placement and planned architecture style. Join us to Help Make Porter Ranch a Better Place to Live, Work and Grow. See our website www.PRNC.org for more information. Our next PRNC meeting on July 8, at 6pm will feature guest speaker Mr. Ming Gong, Los Angeles Program Manager for the 50/50 Sidewalk Reconstruction Project. Upcoming PRNC meetings are: August 5, and September 9 at Shepherd of the Hills Church, 6pm.