Dwyer appeals approval of school site development

Huntington Beach Mayor Pro Tem Devin Dwyer has appealed the Planning Commission’s approval of a proposed development at the former Lamb Elementary School site.

The former sites for Lamb and Wardlow Elementary School, which developer Tri Pointe Homes seeks to convert into residential areas, are scheduled to go before the council Nov. 19.

No appeals have been filed regarding Wardlow, according to Senior Planner Jane James, but the council must give it a review.

Dwyer said in an email that he appealed the Lamb approval because he was concerned about the impacts the construction would have on the neighborhood.

“Wardlow has very little impact to the surrounding community,” he said. “With Lamb we have greater impacts to the surrounding neighborhoods.”

The city’s Environmental Board, in a September letter to the Planning and Building Department, also expressed concerns about the Lamb site. Among other things, the board said the retaining wall around the new homes would block neighboring residents’ view and that the planned improvements to the park area were not sufficient to benefit the community at large.

A grassroots residents’ campaign, known as Save Our Fields, has gathered signatures opposing the development of the sites, claiming that it will cause traffic and safety problems and eliminate green space needed for AYSO soccer games.

— Michael Miller

Twitter: @MichaelMillerHB