HUNTINGTON BEACH : Conversion Suggested for 9 Vacant Schools

The city staff is recommending that nine vacant school sites be converted to a variety of civic uses, such as parks and a sports complex, as well as for residential and commercial developments.

The staff recommendations will be presented to the City Council at a study session at 5 p.m. today, before the council’s regular meeting.

The land all belongs to the Ocean View School District, which will ultimately decide the fate of the properties. Staff from the city and the district have been discussing the future of the strategically located land since last fall.

The city hopes the discussion will lead to mutually acceptable uses for the land.

District Supt. James R. Tarwater praised the cooperative efforts: “In terms of collaboration, it’s been terrific. I think we’re heading in the right direction.”

The city staff’s recommendations are:

* Park View School, 16666 Tunstall Lane: Convert the 11 1/2 acres into a “community sports and activity complex.”

* Pleasant View School, 16692 Landau Lane: Preserve the 10.9-acre site for possible school or park use in the future.

* Rancho View School, 16940 B St.: Convert 13.7 acres to a commercial development site and use the remaining four acres for a maintenance facility.

* Crest View School, 18052 Lisa Lane: Convert to a 13.8-acre commercial development.

* Glen View School, 6621 Glen Drive: Change 11.8 acres into a residential development and add two acres to an existing park.

* Robinwood School, 5172 McFadden Ave.: Convert 7.1 acres to a residential development and add three acres to an existing park.

* Haven View School, 16081 Waikiki Lane: Create a 12 1/2-acre residential development and add two acres to an existing park.

* Meadow View School, 5702 Clark Drive: Preserve the 13 acres for future school and park use.

* Lark View School, 17200 Pinehurst Lane, is the current site of school district offices. If developed in the future, the city staff recommends adding two acres of the site to an existing park.