Aliso council signs off on Soka parking expansion

The Aliso Viejo City Council approved the expansion of Soka University of America’s parking area at its Aug. 17 meeting.

The four-level, 274,143-square-foot Lot B parking structure will have 677 spaces. The structure will start below ground and have two levels above ground.

Construction is expected to begin in November and is estimated to take around a year, said Wendy Harder, director of Community Relations at Soka University.

Parking Lot A will also be expanded, with 254 more slots added. The work on Lot A is expected to be done by Sept. 15.

The city would like to stay updated on landscaping plans for the parking structure as the project goes forward, Mayor Pro Tem Donald A. Garcia said Monday.

The expansion will help accommodate the growing university and the additional guests due to the new Performing Arts Center.

— Joanna Clay