PC 11/09/1994 - Laserfiche WebLink

Jerry Thorne, 5144 Hummingbird Road, called attention to the recommendation of the Park and Recreation Commission that the Del Prado property not be purchased for park use. It would be unacceptable to Mr. Thorne to divert money from previously-funded projects to purchase this property. Ralph Woods, 2292 Camino Brazos, has lived across from the property for 25 years, his children were bussed to Alisal, and he fears that the next generation will also have to go outside their neighborhood for school. He feels that after 25 years, the School Board is now railroading the City into a decision. He noted that this is the last piece of undeveloped property in the neighborhood and once it is zoned for residential, it can never be returned to the school use designation. He would like to See the School Board's deadline extended so more analysis can be done. He proposed an interim use as a park. Jerry Jennaro, 3727 Mohr Avenue, also agrees this property should not be rezoned and should remain designated for school use. He is concerned the Livermore Airport would become a serious safety problem for the Stoneridge Elementary School and would prefer to have an elementary school built in the Del Prado area. PUBLIC HEARING WAS CLOSED Commissioner Barker noted that Buster McCurtain's presentation to the General Plan Review Committee on whether this should be a school site clarified to her that it should remain a school site. Since a school is such an integral part of the community's character, she would not like to go against the unanimous vote of the General Plan Committee to keep the site as a school designation. If that is not possible, she would propose to defer it to the General Plan Steering Committee. Chairman Wright feels all the facts tell him the School District numbers are askew and need to be reviewed. Therefore, he recommends to keep the Del Prado property as a school site and would like to get together before the December 7th deadline and analyze the numbers. Commissioner Hovingh commented that he has watched the School District surplus other school use parcels and is reluctant to change the school designation on the Del Prado property. He feels the School District will abuse any money received from the sale of this land. He suggested that modular buildings at Walnut Grove and/or Donlon schools be relocated to the Del Prado school site for use as a neighborhood school. Commissioner McGuirk noted he, as a parent, went through the same problems at Lydiksen. He does not know why a school has not been built already, and agrees to leave it designated as a school site or to refer it back to the General Plan Steering Committee. He recommended the public push the School District to generate more realistic numbers. Chairman Wright advised that it would be the City Council's decision to direct this issue to the General Plan Land Use Committee. Planning Commission Minutes Page 13 November 9, 1994