Owner of Proposed Palm School Property Seeking New Hearing

The backer of a proposed high school on Palm Street has requested a new hearing from either the Altadena Town Council or Land Use Committee in an attempt to get the endorsement of the group prior to a county hearing on getting the required permit.

The Town Council voted in September against the Arcadia-based Arroyo Pacific Academy's receiving a permit to bring a new campus to Altadena. While the ultimate decision will be made by the County Planning Department, input from the Town Council is often weighed heavily in making planning decisions.

The Town Council discussed the proposal for a new hearing at Tuesday's meeting, and while council members did not schedule a hearing, there was a general consensus that it would be acceptable to have another hearing, as long as it does not take precedent over others permit applicants already scheduled to appear in front of the Land Use Committee.

According to a letter from Philip Clarke, the director of Arroyo Pacific Academy, the school is now only seeking permission to have a maximum capacity of 200 students, rather than 250.  His letter also stated that the school now has a new traffic circulation plan to help alleviate concerns over traffic on the narrow, residential street.

Sandra Thomas, the chair of the Town Council, indicated that there is still clear community interest in the subject: the Council has received more than 300 letters about the proposal since its decision in September, she said.

Many at that meeting objected to limits on speakers that led to proponents and opponents of the school each speaking a handful of speakers to represent their arguments; dozens of people submitted cards to speak at the hearing.

Clarke suggested in his letter a stand-alone weekend hearing that would allow everybody who had views on the school a chance to speak.

For more on the project and the Town Council and Land Use Committee decisions read below:

Committee Rejects Palm Street High School