The Chief Sealth expansion project is being appealed by the group Save Our Schools and a public hearing is scheduled for April 24.

The Chief Sealth Senior Projects Manager for the Seattle School District reports that on March 6, the Seattle Department of Planning and Development received an appeal from a member of the public.

The following decisions are being appealed:

- The Determination of Non-Significance, which states the project will have no adverse effects to the surrounding environment.

- A departure to allow less than required parking stalls.

-A departure to allow the new structure to xceed maximum height in a single family zone.

The permits, and the appeal process, is part of the process to obtain the Master Use Permit and building permits for the project.

"We are following the process and the project team will continue to take steps to get the required permits for our project," the district said in a statement.

The project is proceeding to meet the expected opening of Chief Sealth on time in September 2010 and complete the construction of a new Denny Middle School.

"Because we knew that permitting process could take a very long time when you include public notice periods and the appeal process, we have phased the work to begin portions of the project that are not affected by the Master Use Permit process," according to the district.

The land use application to allow a 147,764 square foot expansion of the existing Chief Sealth High School in an environmentally critical area to accommodate new classrooms, common space and gymnasium for Denny Middle School.

Parking for 175 vehicles to be provided on site. Review includes interior alterations to existing school and grading of 27,000 cubic yards of material. Seven portables totaling 9,000 square feet to be demolished.

The Appeal Hearing will be held on April 24, 2009 at 9 a.m. with the Seattle Hearing Examiner, 700 Fifth Ave., Suite 4000.