PRESCHOOL DISPUTE
It seems that a modern-day Solomon’s wisdom has prevailed in the heated dispute over whether to let a Pasadena nursery school increase its enrollment from 65 to 80, with both the preschool’s owner and neighbors opposed to the change allowing the deadline for appealing the ruling to the City Council to pass.
“The neighbors accepted the compromise and so did the school. It’s all over,” said Councilman William E. Thomson Jr. whose district includes the preschool.
“It means what conditions set by the Board of Zoning Appeals remain,” said City Planner Lola Osborne.
Last month, the board decided to issue a permit allowing the preschool to enroll 72 students--splitting the difference between what the opposing factions wanted for maximum enrollment. Aria Montessori School boosters painted the school as picture of tranquillity, while neighbors opposed to any increase complained that its recesses are noisy and its cavalcades of child-loading traffic anarchy.
“We all got what we wanted. It’s a good compromise,” said JoAnn Aria, the preschool’s owner, who admits to operating with 71 students--six above the present limit.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
