City Questions Miraleste Report

A draft environmental impact report on the closing of Miraleste High School fails to adequately address potential traffic, air pollution and other problems that could affect Rancho Palos Verdes, according to a letter drafted by the city.

City Council members voted Tuesday to send the letter to the Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District as a formal response to the report, which is being prepared by the district under a court order.

In the letter, the city did not take a position on the closure of the east-side high school. The district voted in November, 1987, to shut the school because of declining enrollment, but a parents group sued to stop the closure and the school remains open.

The city’s letter says more attention should be given to the effect the school closure would have on traffic. It says the report should suggest mitigation measures such as upgrading intersections or adding parking facilities at the district’s two other high schools.

The letter also says the report should address the issue of redeveloping the Miraleste property if the school is closed.

District officials have said all comments on the report are being forwarded to the consultant hired to prepare it. A final report is to be completed by late February.