10-Year Dispute Over School Expansion Settled

A 10-year dispute over expansion of an exclusive girls school into an equally exclusive residential neighborhood has apparently been resolved by a compromise hammered out by Los Angeles zoning officials.

Operators of the prestigious Marlborough School will be allowed to raze a block of 1920s-era mansions in Hancock Park to make room for a parking lot, soccer field and swimming pool.

But school officials will be required to take steps to prevent students from parking in front of remaining homes in the 200 block of South Arden Boulevard, under terms of the conditional use permit approved by the city.

The dispute had been building since 1988, when the school began acquiring the 13 homes on the west side of the boulevard adjacent to its 83-year-old campus. Some Hancock Park residents complained to city officials last year that the demolition of the homes would destroy the neighborhood.

The city’s action requires the school to add extra off-street parking and eliminate a gate on Arden that would have allowed students to park on the boulevard and enter the campus.

“We’re very pleased,” said Paul Roberts, a spokesman for opponents. He said that residents are still examining issues related to the phasing of the expansion and might appeal that portion of the permit with the city.

School officials said they are also analyzing the zoning administrator’s decision.

So far, however, “we are delighted” and convinced that the expansion will “be a great benefit to the community,” Marlborough headmaster Barbara Wagner said in a statement.