Palm Crest neighbors weigh in on $27M school renovation proposed mere yards away
La Cañada Unified school officials — in the planning stages of a $27-million Palm Crest Elementary School modernization set to begin next year — recently briefed neighboring homeowners on the details of the project and collected their concerns about possible impacts.
And after some back-and-forth about building heights, obstructed views and their consequent effect on privacy and home values, district officials agreed to let homeowners be involved with the project design, erect story poles to convey proposed building mass and notify the public of updates and timelines.
For the record:
1:29 p.m. March 9, 2020A previous version of this story used incorrect information provided by the district stating each new modular building would be 23,000 square feet in size and that the Palm Crest modernization would bring a net gain of 20 classrooms. The total area of both buildings would be 23,000, and while they would contain 20 classrooms, only four rooms would be added to the campus.
Architects were on hand during the Feb. 24 meeting held at the request of a group of Solliden Lane homeowners, many of whom had only recently become aware of the major construction being planned nearby.
Designers explained the campus’ unique topography — including a 60-foot grade change from Palm Drive to the west end that necessitates a 300-foot ADA accessible ramp — limited their options but inspired creativity.
“Typically, when you have so much grade change in a site it can be a hindrance to the design,” said Lance Hunter of LPA Architectural Consulting. “But at this particular location, it can actually be a gift in terms of how we develop the site.”
In addition to building dual 11,500-square-foot, two-story modular buildings in a “V” configuration on the northwest corner of campus that will contain 20 classrooms, for a net gain of four classrooms, the district will reconfigure the car line near the school entrance, renovate existing classrooms and demolish an unused office building to accommodate a 60-stall faculty parking lot.
“It’s complicated and there’s a lot to think about,” La Cañada Unified School District Supt. Wendy Sinnette told the audience of about 25. “We are here to listen — we’ll look at everything, and we’ll stay open throughout the process.”
According to Assistant Supt. Mark Evans, the project would not likely be completed until the 2023-24 school year.
Solliden Lane residents Erin Olmstead and Doug Spitznagel asked about the environmental review process and how and when the district plans to notify the public regarding comment periods and work schedules.
“We understand probably better than anybody this school needs modernization,” Spitznagel said. “But we haven’t seen a plan yet we support fully.”
Neighbor and former La Cañada Mayor Laura Olhasso questioned the district’s placing a 26-foot-tall building on the western edge of campus, which already looms more than 20 feet above Solliden Lane homes.
“We all bought [houses] in a neighborhood with a school, and modernizing the school is not a problem,” Olhasso said. “But if you’re talking about a 48-foot height difference from the street to the top of the building, that’s huge.”
Olmstead asked whether officials would consider making the nearest classroom building one-story or moving it away from the property line. Sinnette said after reviewing every possible option, the latest design was determined to be the most efficient use of space.
The superintendent promised to keep homeowners in the loop as the renovation planning progressed. Preparatory work to underground sewer and utility lines is anticipated to begin this summer.
“The district wants to work with them and be good neighbors,” Sinnette said after the meeting. “We’re still in a phase where we can be responsive, so this was very timely.”
Solliden Lane homeowner Cindy Adamson, whose property will be closest to the construction work and the new buildings, only learned of the proposal from Olmstead in January. After the meeting she was cautiously optimistic.
“I’m happy they were willing to meet with us and hear our concerns,” Adamson said. “Now, we’ll see how it goes.”
