The bell may toll for Christian school that’s outgrown its space
YALE STREET A private Christian academy here that has been operating for the last eight years without proper permits is asking planning commissioners to not only allow it to continue operating, but to also expand from 65 students to 100 students — a move the school’s officials claim is necessary to subsidize those students who cannot afford to pay tuition.
A major stumbling block is the fact that Lighthouse Christian Academy, located at 1420-24 Yale Street, does not have enough space to accommodate the parking required under current zoning laws. The four-year academy, which also has a day-care on site, maintains just 12 parking spaces — a quarter of what’s required — and therefore, must be granted a variance.
Residents have long complained about the city’s lack of parking and the practice of granting such variances, allowing businesses and other institutions to expand or change uses without having to add the number of parking spaces required by law.
City staff said they have received no formal complaints about the academy, however, a handful of residents did send letters and made phone calls to City Hall expressing their concerns about the lack of parking at the school and the crowded conditions of an adjacent alley used by parents to drop off and pick up their children.
Representatives from the academy said they are providing a valuable service to the community by providing a quality education to a diverse group of students, some of whom are former criminals from broken homes who have turned their lives around thanks to the love and support they received from their teachers.
“This school has literally saved kids’ lives,” said Steven Fernandez, a recent graduate of the academy who was kicked out of University High School for bad behavior and had trouble finding another school that would take him. Fernandez said he had almost given up hope until he found Lighthouse.
Other students talked about the leadership skills they developed at the school, which is too small for a student to hide in the crowd and slip through the cracks.
“Whether it was in class, on the field (or) on the court … I learned the importance of serving and helping others,” said Peter Caesar, a former student.
Commissioners debated the issue Wednesday evening, but were unable to come to a conclusion because of a lack of information on the pick-up and drop-off plan used by parents and the physical dimensions of the school’s parking lot and classrooms. Commissioners also wanted more information on how students get to school, and requested information from Building and Safety about the school’s capacity.
Their primary concern was that the school’s facility, located at the rear of the International Church of the Foursquare Gospel Church, is too small to accommodate 65 students, let alone 100. Commissioners voted to bring the issue back in August.
If the commission does not grant a permit, the academy would be forced to close, said Bruce Leach, associate planner for City Hall. Leach and other staff members did recommend the commission grant the permit and variance, but with a maximum enrollment of only 65 students.
Attorneys for the academy said their clients do not need to obtain a permit because the academy is part of a religious institution, something with which city attorneys disagree.
Commissioners expressed support for the academy and a majority seemed in favor of granting the permit and variance, however, there were those who felt compelled to follow the law and vote no, even though they were moved by the passionate speeches from former students.
“I have never decided to vote for or against an issue based on emotional grounds, but right now, I’m very torn,” said Commissioner Julie Lopez Dad, who said she understood the value of the academy, but was committed to following zoning standards.
Dad, who said she could not vote for a variance and conditional use permit for the academy, was joined by Commissioner Jay Johnson, who expressed concern about the size of classrooms.
Johnson said he was all in favor of small class sizes, but drawings of the academy’s layout looked as if school officials were “trying to cram 25 pounds of flower into a five-pound sack.”
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on July 20, 2007. Read the original PDF.