District retains land on the Bolsa Chica mesa

Angelique Flores

HUNTINGTON BEACH -- While environmental supporters and developers have

stood at the forefront of the highly contested debate over the Bolsa

Chica mesa, the Ocean View School District has remained on the sidelines

although its own interests are at stake.

The district bought 15 acres of the mesa in 1966 for a school, knowing

housing could eventually be built on the surrounding area.

The California Coastal Commission unanimously approved the development

of a 60-acre portion of the Bolsa Chica mesa last week. Hearthside Homes

wanted 183 acres of that land, but the commission voted to preserve 123

acres.

“Our property was on that” preserved 123 acres, Supt. Jim Tarwater

said. “We could’ve lost all 15 acres.”

The district was awarded another 10 acres by the commission if the 60

acres is developed into houses.

“We needed to honor the school and the fact that they owned land for

many years,” said Coastal Commissioner and Huntington Beach Councilwoman

Shirley Dettloff.

If the houses are built, the district would need a school to house

children in those neighborhoods, as well as the children from Harbour

View and Hope View elementary schools, where the student population has

reached its limit.

“We do not want to bus 600 kids,” Tarwater said.

Once the district receives the 10 acres near the Warner Pond, it will

probably sell the current 15 acres -- worth about $15 million -- to pay

for the construction of a new school, officials said. The cost to build a

school to fit 600 students could cost as much as $8 million. The district

would not receive any new construction money from the state because it

owns closed schools.

“The number one priority in the state is education,” Dettloff said.

“And [the district] should be accommodated.”

Ocean View would like the new school to focus on science and

technology. Its location near the wetlands would allow students to study

environmental conservation, ecosystems and migration of birds firsthand.

“We’re happy that they kept us in mind,” Tarwater said.If developers

decide not to build, then the district will retain the original 15 acres.

“We’re a very minor player, but it’s very important to us,” Tarwater

said.