Palo Alto Online | Сurrent News

 

DOES THE CASTILLEJA EXPANSION PROJECT SERVE THE BEST INTERESTS OF PALO ALTO?

The answer is NO and here’s why:

  • 75% of Castilleja’s students come from outside Palo Alto

This is not a public school that serves any/all local students.

  • Castilleja is requesting a 30% increase in enrollment after 20 years of illegal over-enrollment

Castilleja is legally zoned for 415 students. At the height of their over-enrollment they reached 448 students. It is estimated that over $12 million was pocketed by the school on this over-enrollment and never publicly accounted for. The school still exceeds its legal limit of 415 students, to allow a 30% enrollment increase on top of this violation makes a mockery of City rules and regulations.

  • This project will significantly increase traffic on Embarcadero Rd., Alma St. and narrow neighborhood streets

Castilleja projects that a 30% enrollment increase will bring 300 additional cars a day during school hours to the school site, which will dramatically impact Embarcadero, Alma, and neighborhood streets at peak traffic times.

  • Destruction of the Natural Environment

At a time of increasing pollution and global warming, Castilleja plans to remove mature oaks and redwoods and replace them with saplings that will take many generations to provide shade, a carbon collecting canopy as well as an aesthetically interesting neighborhood.

  • Construction of an Underground Garage is a threat to Pedestrians and Cyclists

Despite Castilleja's claims that neighbors want an underground garage, we do not! And 47 households surrounding the school all signed a letter to Castilleja and the City attesting to this fact in 2017 and wrote a “neighbors’ summary statement signed by 60 surrounding households protesting the scope of this project in 2018! Castilleja's plans though call for the construction of a highly polluting underground parking garage in an R-1 residential neighborhood, the destruction of mature redwoods and oaks. 

This tragic result adds ZERO additional parking spaces. There currently exists 86 on-site parking spaces that no one complains about, which is a sufficient number for a modest increase in enrollment, as they have received over the years when they modify their Use Permit.  Further, the entrance to the garage is just off of Embarcadero Rd. along the Bike Boulevard, which is heavily used by students and commuters.  Cars re-enter Embarcadero from Emerson, an already very dicey traffic situation.

  • Construction of a Costco-Sized Facility

Castilleja’s plans call for the construction of an oversized, boxy and institutional type structure, which does not fit in with the character of the neighborhood, is not compliant with municipal code and causes dramatic densification of one residential block.

  • Precedent-Setting Project for All Palo Alto Neighborhoods

If this project is approved, what does this mean for all Palo Alto neighborhoods? Would you want a commercial underground garage exit next to your home, constant weekday traffic and off-hour special events? And what about 5 years of major construction for a project that largely serves the affluent of other communities?

  • Neighbors’ Plan

  1. Submit a Code Compliant Project

  2. Modernize and rebuild the school without an underground garage (simply not moving the pool retains the required parking spaces to service the school).

  3. Lower requested enrollment. Don’t make the residents suffer the consequences and take all the risk.

  4. Once enrollment is lowered (e.g. 450 students), sufficient parking will exist, eliminating the need for an underground garage and the destruction of healthy, mature oaks and redwoods.

  5. To reduce traffic congestion and promote environmental sustainability, students and staff must arrive at the Castilleja campus via school-sponsored shuttling and public transportation as well as by non-motorized transport (e.g. walking, biking, etc.).

How You Can Help

  • Prepare a 2-min. presentation to deliver to City Council at their next meeting (TBD)

  • Write a letter expressing your concerns about the project to City Council members. See example letters at the bottom of the page.

  • Also, please encourage City Council to consider a “No Garage Alternative.” See examples at the bottom of the page.









  • Send a copy of your letter to the local newspapers



EXAMPLES OF LETTERS
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OTHER IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS


Comments from Palo Alto residents at the March 30 Planning Commission Public Hearing.

methodically proves how the school's variance request is invalid and brings up new details on the proposed pool.

details how City planning staff has been an advocate for the school and has ignored neighbors’ needs and interests.

- Parent of 3 young women who all attended Castilleja for 7 years each.

explains why Castilleja does not qualify for a variance and how it would set a dangerous precedent.

demonstrates how protected oaks and redwoods remain in danger. Rob also describes how 40% of all classrooms will be underground without natural light or ventilation.

describes the environmental impact of the proposed underground garage, swimming pool re-location, and additional vehicular traffic.

shows how an underground garage is not needed for the school. Surface parking already exists and more shuttling is an environmentally friendly option.

describes how a 30% increase in enrollment will negatively impact traffic and congestion along Embarcadero, Alma, and side streets around the school.

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