School project OK’d

The oft-delayed renovation of St. Catherine of Siena Catholic School was finally approved Jan. 8 by the Laguna Beach City Council in a unanimous vote, following a Dec. 12 thumbs-up from the city’s Planning Commission.

A large crowd packed the council chambers in support of the school, the facilities for which are drastically in need of updating, say representatives of the school.

The school expects to begin construction during students’ summer vacation.

The project has faced a number of obstacles, ranging from a Coastal Commission assertion of authority over the project “” overturned by a court ruling “” to the discovery of a threatened bird in its two-year quest to remodel.

“We are grateful and excited to have received unanimous vote of approval from the City Council,” said Julia Kelly, a school spokesperson and parent.

Conditions to the approval include biological monitoring of sensitive habitats during construction and during the nesting season of the gnatcatcher, an endangered bird found to be present on the site; carpooling plans; and staggered start and pickup times to reduce traffic impacts.

The traffic and carpool plans will be reviewed by the city when the school reaches an enrollment level of 250 students, to ensure the plans are still effective.

The school will keep the same maximum number of students, but will expand its campus by about 4,500 square feet.

Open space will cover 46% of the 6.5-acre lot, which overlooks the Pacific Ocean and is bordered by condominiums.

New facilities will include a library, chapel, gymnasium, laboratories and art rooms.

The planners have incorporated a number of green elements to the project, which has also been designed to improve fire safety, storm run-off and traffic issues.