Santa Ana : School Officials Say They’ll Appeal Ruling

Garden Grove Unified School District officials said they will appeal a Superior Court judge’s decision to reject their request that construction be halted on an apartment complex that they allege would severely impact already overcrowded schools.

Attorney Ron Wenkart, representing the district, said he would argue that the city should have conducted an environmental impact report for the 50-unit project, to be built at 4920 West 1st St. “That property was undeveloped and zoned for commercial (use),” he said, suggesting that the city should either develop commercial projects there, use some redevelopment funds for construction of new schools or provide portable classrooms.

However, Superior Court Judge John J. Ryan said the Santa Ana City Council acted responsibly in approving the project last August because district officials didn’t provide the necessary information to force the city to require a report.

Wenkart said the district’s overall enrollment is declining, but not in the area surrounding the development. The apartment project would probably house about 52 students, he said.