Planning Commission Holds Off On Approval of Alverno Improvements

After hearing almost 2 hours of public comments and concerns, the Planning Commission requested more information regarding plans to renovate and expand Alverno School.

The meeting Thursday night took place before a packed house of mostly enthusiastic supporters of the school’s Master Plan for renovations, which would include a 12,860 square foot multi-purpose building (housing a gym and basketball court), an outdoor amphitheater and softball field. Those who voiced their opposition noted that they were in support of the school, but were concerned with the noise related to rental of the school’s facilities and the Villa for non-school related activities such as weddings and filming events.

This would be the first renovation at Alverno, an all girls Catholic school, since 1959. The school prides itself on its reputation of giving a quality education to young girls and preparing them for college and a successful career. One Hundred percent of its graduating class this year will head off to colleges across the nation and abroad.

“This year Alverno High School is celebrating its founding 50 years ago, right here in Sierra Madre,” said Ann Gillick, Alverno High School Head. “After 50 years, our campus desperately needs a make over! The facilities…no longer meet the student’s needs. Our students deserve better,” she said. The Master Plan has been a process that has taken 10 years, and if approved, may take another 6 years for completion.

Many of the speakers during the public comment session before the Commission were parents of girls who attend Alverno or those who went to Alverno themselves, and some were students such as Yasmine Ibrahim who is a 2011 Princess for the Sierra Madre Rose Float Association. “Alverno High School has met and even exceeded the levels of education that was promised to us. By improving our campus and facility we’ll be able to give other female students the ability to grow…and broaden their horizons,” Ibrahim said.

Russ Simon, a resident who lives across from the school, expressed that when he moved into the neighborhood 20 years he knew he was moving across the street from a school. “I didn’t know there was a banquet hall, a film location and anybody else [could] rent the property for the weekends that’s there,” Simon said. “To burden the community with all the rentals that goes on the weekends to support the school is just unfair. It’s a school, it should be run as a school,” he said.

Noise testing was done on school grounds, not in the Villa area where most of the weekend activities take place. It was noted by Planning Director Danny Castro that the new facility is set to service only school events. Planning Commission Chair William Pevsner stated that concerns over the use of the Villa could be discussed at a later time. The Master Plan does not include the Villa, as it is a Historic Landmark and it falls under different terms than the school. Other concerns by residents included the removal of trees on the property and lighting.

Though Commission Members sounded as though they supported the project overall, they agreed to meet again to see a more complete version of the building designs and lighting layout. They will reconvene on July 7 to discuss the matter further.