New Zoning Category Approved

Over the objections of the Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District, Rolling Hills Estates City Council members voted unanimously Tuesday to create a separate zoning classification for sites with buildings such as schools and churches.

School district officials spoke against creating a so-called institutional zoning classification for the sites. Such a classification could decrease the value of the vacant Dapplegray Intermediate School if the district tries to sell it for single-family homes, the officials argued.

The district has no immediate plans to sell the property and is looking for a tenant to lease the 47 acres.

Council members sought the new zoning classification as a way to protect sites with schools and churches from future development. Some such sites are presently zoned for homes. A dozen properties scattered throughout the city are affected by the new classification.

City officials have said the school district would not be barred from seeking a zoning change for the Dapplegray land if it decides to sell the land for single-family homes.