Goleta Union School District v. Regents of the University

A long-range development plan for a university projects increased enrollment in a local elementary school district. A supplemental environmental impact report (SEIR) describes impacts of the plan. It proposes options which include building classrooms to accommodate additional students. Must the SEIR commit the university to provide funds to the district to build classrooms? No.

The Goleta Union School District (District) appeals from the judgment of the trial court which ruled that the SEIR prepared by respondent, the Regents of the University of California (Regents), for its 1990 Long Range Development Plan (the Plan) complies with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). (Pub. Resources Code, § 21000 et seq.) Because the SEIR provides all the information required by CEQA, we affirm.

Facts

In 1990, Regents adopted a Plan to expand the University of California at Santa Barbara (UCSB) over a 15-year period. The District’s schools serve the area encompassed by UCSB. The District objected to the initial EIR for the Plan because it failed to provide relevant information and mitigation measures regarding significant environmental impacts the Plan might have on…