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Politics & Government

Alverno School's Expansion Plans Headed to Planning Commission

Private all girls school is seeking permit for multiple campus construction projects.

Following the of a “mitigated negative declaration” study of Alverno High School’s plans for multiple construction projects on their Sierra Madre campus, the city’s Planning Commission will hold the first public hearing on the issue during tonight’s meeting.

Since the completion of the study in March, 2011,  the city’s Planning Department accepted written comments or questions from community members and school neighbors up until April 14. This latest meeting will offer the Planning Commission an opportunity to review those comments and discuss the plan amongst themselves. The meeting will also serve as another opportunity for public comment to be given on the proposed project.

In years past, the Alverno School has had its share of complaints from nearby residential neighbors primarily regarding noise coming from the school's Villa de Sol d’Oro , which is often rented out for non-school related events, such as weddings.

Find out what's happening in Sierra Madrewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

With their updated Master Plan, the school's Board of Trustees is seeking a permission from the city to construct a new, two-story building and 2,900 square-foot outdoor amphitheater, but Sierra Madre Planning Director Danny Castro told Patch Wednesday that the new buildings were not intended to be used for non school-related activities.

“Their intent is to use this as another gathering place for students as well as a sort of outdoor classroom,” Castro said. This is something that is specifically laid out in the Alverno Master Plan.

Find out what's happening in Sierra Madrewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

In addition to a reconfiguration of the school's softball field, tennis courts and parking areas, the newly revised school Master Plan calls for a reduction in the maximum enrollment from 500 to 400 students.

Alverno Facilities Manager Cindy Mclaughlin said that this was being done in an effort to keep the student enrollment to a size with which the school feels comfortable.

"With 500 students, we don't feel that we would be able to provide the same type of nurturing, educational environment as we can at current levels," Mclaughlin said.

According to the Planning Commission agenda staff report, “ is located in an Institutional zone, and the City’s General Plan allows for the expansion of existing institutional sites provided that a comprehensive [school] master plan is approved.”

As for whether or not the plans are likely to be approved at tonight’s meeting, Castro said he could not predict the actions of the Planning Commission.

“It’s hard to say,” Castro said. “This is a project that seeking their approval. I don’t know if the Planning Commission will feel that they have enough information to approve it.”

Aside from approving the plans, Castro said that Planning Commission could continue the hearing to a later date to allow further public input and discussion amongst members of the Commission.

“They could ask staff for more information about the proposal or the study, or they could ask Alverno to come back with more information,” Castro said.

Mclaughlin was also hesitant to speculate on the commission's decision - or whether they will make one at all - ahead of the meeting.

"It would be wonderful," she said, "But we don't want to jinx ourselves!"

The public hearing on the proposed expansion in the Council Chambers at .

Following the Alverno discussion - as is typical - the Planning Commission will also open the floor to public comment on planning issues not referenced in the current agenda.

Check with Sierra Madre Patch tomorrow for full coverage of tonight’s meeting including a recap of the discussion and any decisions made by the commission.

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