May 28, 2023 The Best Source of News, Culture, Lifestyle for Culver City, Mar Vista, Del Rey, Palms and West Los Angeles

Archer School development project divides Brentwood community

Artists Impression of Archer's Proposed Multipurpose Facility.
Artists Impression of Archer’s Proposed Multipurpose Facility.
The ongoing neighborhood controversy surrounding the future development plans of The Archer School for Girls in Brentwood is continuing, with new concessions from the school falling short of demands by community groups.

Archer presented their most-recent proposal, coined “The Concession Plan,” at the Brentwood Community Council (BCC) meeting Oct. 7 in response to three years of community backlash and outreach and to requirements laid out by councilman Mike Bonin.

The new approach, “is still too large, the impacts are still too great and more needs to be done to address the size and use of the proposed project,” Residential Neighbors of Archer (RNA) spokesperson Thelma Waxman told Brentwood News.

“The RNA continues to advocate for a downsized alternative that will allow Archer to improve its campus and preserve at the protections the neighbors were afforded in the first instance when Archer moved to the most congested area in Brentwood,” Waxman added.

Archer development proponents argue that the school is in dire need of a serious re-vamp that goes beyond initial concept plans, in order to keep up with today’s standards of education.

“Archer is an exceptional school whose mission of empowering young women in a girl-centric environment is critically important to Los Angeles,” said Elizabeth English, Archer’s Head of School. “Archer is seeking essential, modern facilities in order to meet our mission of educating girls for the 21st century. These are facilities that nearly every other school in Los Angeles – independent or public – already enjoys.”

Archer moved into Brentwood in 1999, taking over the historic Eastern Star Home for Women senior-living building and premises. At the time, Archer agreed to adhere to a strict Conditional Use Permit (CUP), issued by the City in 1998. Resident groups believe that current stipulations in the existing CUP regarding noise, outside use, hours of operation, the number of athletic and special events, and the amount of cars allowed on campus, should remain.

“Fifteen years ago Archer, despite other options available, chose to move into a residential neighborhood,” Waxman said. “Extensive negotiations took place… and resulted in a carefully balanced agreement.

“I believe, as a matter of fundamental fairness, that the need for new buildings and updated facilities does not justify nor require Archer to throw out the existing CUP and unwind all of the protections that were put in place that allowed them to come into the neighborhood in the first instance.”

The main bone of contention is the increase in traffic flow that new facilities could result in, including during the three to five year construction window, and the environmental impact of new construction.

“Traffic is clearly the number one issue in Brentwood, and we agree,” English said. Adding that the school has worked hard with neighbors and local leaders to eliminate significant traffic impact from school operations.

“We currently implement the most stringent transportation management program for any independent school in Los Angeles…we are agreeing to a minimum of 70 percent busing,” English said. “Transportation planners estimate that only three percent of the morning peak traffic on Sunset Boulevard is related to Archer.”

The school has agreed to more than 30 changes to the original project, according to English.

The revised plan reduces the physical scale of the project; restricts proposed campus hours and operations, including the number of competitions and school functions; and adds landscaping, noise protection, and other features to preserve neighborhood character, the school stated.

The reduction in total building size from the initial development plan of 164,578 sq ft to the current plan of 150,203 sq ft is only 14,375 sq ft, according to RNA data. The current building size at Archer is 84,178 sq ft.

The “Concession Plan” reduces the multi-purpose center to 39,300 sq ft, the performance art center to 395 seats and 19,025 sq ft, the north wing renovation to 300 sq ft and the underground parking structure to 185 cars, expanding to 250 cars. The proposed visual arts center (7,400 sq ft) remains unchanged. The proposed aquatic center was taken off the table.

RNA is calling for a further reduction to a gym of 19,000 sq ft, a performing arts center of 19,000 sq ft (350 seats) and underground parking for 150 cars. They are also insisting that the original CUP conditions of no lights on the field, no outside use of the facilities, limited field use on Saturdays and for the softball field to be placed away from residences, be upheld, along with a shorter build timeline.

“The construction time period has been reduced,” explained English. “The plan also eliminates non-Archer related events at the school, restricts Saturday athletic field use, and mandates use of an underground pedestrian pathway, connecting the parking garage to the multipurpose facility and the performing arts center, for events ending after 8 pm.”

A community meeting between concerned parties Brentwood Homeowners Association, Councilman Bonin’s office, BCC, RNA and Archer was held Thursday October 9. No agreement was reached.

The next meeting is scheduled for Oct. 30.

What do you think about Archer School’s development proposal? Email your thoughts to 
editor@brentwoodnewsonline.com.

Related Posts

(Video) The Street Where There Was An Attempted Robbery And The Suspect Was Chased By A Victim And A Gun Was Shot In Culver City

May 26, 2023

May 26, 2023

A robber attempted to steal a woman’s purse and her companion gave chase. The robbers did not get away with...

Health Advisory: Los Angeles County Health Warns Against Swimming This Weekend

May 26, 2023

May 26, 2023

Public Health Issues Caution as Bacterial Levels Exceed Health Standards  The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health cautions residents...

Disproportionate Impact of COVID-19 Revealed in Los Angeles County

May 26, 2023

May 26, 2023

People of Color, Others Bear Brunt of COVID-19 Cases, Hospitalizations, and Deaths Despite overall low transmission rates of COVID-19 in...

Violent Armed Robbery Takes Place Culver City Mall Parking Lot

May 26, 2023

May 26, 2023

Victim Assaulted and Robbed by Armed Suspects in Brazen Mall Attack By Dolores Quintana An armed robbery occurred in the...

Culver City Man Robbed at Knifepoint, Suspect Flees with Phone

May 26, 2023

May 26, 2023

Armed Suspect Strikes Victim’s Hand During Struggle in Ballona Creek Area By Dolores Quintana A male victim was robbed at...

Gunshot Fired During Culver City Attempted Robbery; Suspects at Large

May 26, 2023

May 26, 2023

Violent Confrontation Unfolds as Victim Gives Chase After Purse Snatching At Restaurant By Dolores Quintana An attempted robbery turned violent...

Suspect Arrested in Culver City Robbery and Attempted Carjacking

May 26, 2023

May 26, 2023

Armed Suspect Targets Victims With Scissors and Knife, Wore An Ankle Monitor By Dolores Quintana A suspect has been apprehended...

Suspect Arrested For An Attempted Murder in Culver City

May 26, 2023

May 26, 2023

Victim Stabbed Multiple Times With Butcher Knife; Culver City Police Apprehend Suspect By Dolores Quintana A male suspect has been...

(Video) Tito’s Tacos In Culver City

May 25, 2023

May 25, 2023

Since 1959, one of Culver City’s and the Westside’s most enduring Mexican restaurants. @culvercitywlanews Tito's Tacos In Culver City. Since...

Don Victorino Has Spent 28 Years Expertly Cutting Meat For Tito’s Tacos

May 25, 2023

May 25, 2023

The Restaurant’s Tasty Tacos And Burritos Main Ingredient Is Hand Carved Tito’s Tacos, at 11222 Washington Place in Culver City,...

Rumors Are Swirling About Raising Cane’s Coming To Westwood

May 24, 2023

May 24, 2023

Vanderpump Rules Star Ariana Madix Works The Drive-Through In El Segundo Rumors are swirling that Raising Cane’s, the immensely popular...

(Video) Wildlife Outside Culver City City Hall – A Wild Rabbit

May 24, 2023

May 24, 2023

Yes, you can still find wild animals in our city at the most surprising times. This cute little rabbit was...

The Dodgers Reinstate LGBTQ+ Group’s Invitation and Honor At Dodger Pride Night

May 24, 2023

May 24, 2023

The Sisters Of Perpetual Indulgence Accepted The Baseball Team’s Apology By Dolores Quintana This morning, The Los Angeles Dodgers issued...

Two Concerts This Weekend In Culver City Celebrate Different Parts Of The Community

May 24, 2023

May 24, 2023

Jazz Hands For Autism and The Mulan Music Festival Will Perform On Saturday By Dolores Quintana Prepare to be captivated...

The City Of Culver City Proclaims May 2023 As Jewish American Heritage Month

May 24, 2023

May 24, 2023

The City Council Calls On All Residents To Celebrate The Jewish American Community By Dolores Quintana The City of Culver...