Monday the City of La Canada Flintridge published the Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy’s (FSHA) proposed Specific Plan. The Specific Plan represents a long-term vision or “master plan” by the school to enhance its more than 60-year-old facilities in order to meet the educational needs of today’s student.

The Specific Plan/Master Plan, which grew out of a thoughtful strategic planning process would allow FSHA to modernize its academic and performing arts spaces to accommodate the demands of a 21^st century curriculum. Fitting entirely within the developed area of the campus, the project includes modern performance spaces for school-related uses, state-of-the-art classrooms, and an athletic practice area.  A new enrollment cap that allows the school to accommodate 425 students (typically 365 day students and 60 boarding students who do not drive) is also being requested.

“Today’s release of the Draft EIR by the City marks a major milestone for our modernization project. Our Master Plan is all about the girls we serve now and will continue to serve in the future,” said FSHA President Sister Carolyn McCormack, O.P. “Our founding sisters who arrived on the hill in 1931 embraced a vision: they believed that educating young women is a valuable gift to bring to the community. We are confident we will continue this 83-year legacy, while also being respectful of our neighbors with whom we share this beautiful hill.”

The Draft EIR will review specific areas of environmental interest identified by the city of La Canada Flintridge.  The release of the Draft EIR marks an exciting and critical milestone for the project – FSHA has been meeting with the community over the last three years, obtaining feedback and listening to neighbors.  The school continues to evaluate ways to respond to input and believes it can deliver a campus enhancement project that carefully considers its surrounding community.

A 45-day public review and comment period begins today, and comments are due to the City of La Canada Flintridge by August 27, 2014.  The Draft EIR can be viewed at the City of La Canada Flintridge City Hall Planning Counter (1327 Foothill Blvd.), the La Canada Flintridge Library (4545 Oakwood Ave.) or online at http://www.lcf.ca.gov/planning.