Commission says buying Le Bard in line with plan

The city Planning Commission voted unanimously at its meeting Tuesday to confirm that buying the closed Le Bard Elementary School would be in line with the city’s general plan.

It was a procedural vote that didn’t move negotiations forward, but still a necessary approval before a purchase can take place.

“No, it wasn’t anything controversial,” Commissioner Joe Shaw said of the vote.

The vote followed a staff recommendation, which said preserving open space for public use was in line with one of the goals of the city government.

The site, which now holds the Huntington Beach City School District headquarters, was one of four pieces of land originally considered for sale or lease by the district.

Community members, especially those in the Seaview Little League, which uses baseball fields on the site, pushed hard to have the district sell to the city, which would preserve those fields as open space.

Negotiations are still ongoing between the city and the school district.

— Michael Alexander