La Jolla Real Estate, Del Mar real estate, Rancho Santa Fe Homes, Carmel Valley Real Estate, University City and
Downtown San Diego real estate, homes and condos for sale in California - Ruth Mills & the Mills Team, REALTOR.






Search the San Diego MLS
(includes all areas in San Diego County)



 November 20, 2008

Children's School in La Jolla to Expand
The Children's School in La Jolla is a non-profit, private school. The property on which the school sits is leased from the San Unified School District. The school was for many years a public school. The school unveiled plans to expand 6th - 8th Grade classroom facilities as well as the improvement of parking areas.
Dan Courtney is a La Jolla community planner and neighbor to the school. Courtney is opposed to the expansion. Courtney also owns three properties adjacent to the school. Mr. Courtney feels that the street has taken a beating from all the additional traffic generated by the school, and states that the school does not possess a site development permit. Such a permit allows neighbors to express their opinions and concerns; and to receive some assurances regarding any additional expansion in the future.

Another neighbor of the school, Benita Glow, feels that the school has not engaged in talks with their neighbors regarding the proposed expansion.

Jim Kelly, spokesperson fro the school disagrees with these concerns and states that the school site is specifically identified in the La Jolla Planned District Ordinance (PDO) as a school site. Because of this the school is exempt from coastal development and site development permits. Kelly continues by stating that four local planning groups were help over the past months, and all concluded with overwhelming approvals. He refutes the argument that the project is without proper planning or merit.

The street in question near the school is Calle Juela, and has always been used for staff parking and deliveries at the school. When Kelly was questioned as to why the street has not been properly maintained, he reported that the City takes the position that the street was never developed to proper standards; if it was to be properly developed, than the city would maintain it. Furthermore, the school has agreed to repair all potholes in the street and recoat it at the school's expense.

Jim Heaton the chairperson of the La Jolla Shores Association believes that the school has done a great job working with their neighbors and their concerns. Heaton has a son at the school, and abstained from his group's vote on the proposed expansion. The vote was 6-0-5 in favor.

Residents and neighbors have until November 20 to comment on the proposed expansion. Comments can be e-mailed to Anne Jarque, Environmental Planner at atajarque@sandiego.gov.