Planning commission approves Pacific Oaks Academy private school at former church site

The Camarillo Planning Commission approved a conditional use permit to establish a private elementary school, Pacific Oaks Academy, at 2280 Antonio Avenue on the site of an existing church.

Associate Planner Serena Gonzalez presented CUP‑438, explaining the application would convert space in the church campus into classrooms and administrative areas while leaving much of the existing parking and circulation intact. Staff noted a correction in the staff report: the school is required to provide six parking spaces (not three), and the site currently has 54 parking stalls; staff concluded that, with limited overlap between church activities and school hours, on‑site parking is sufficient. The project was recommended under CEQA Class 1 (existing facilities) for resurfacing and limited changes. The commission adopted Resolution PC2025‑8 approving the permit.

Why it matters: the school will change weekday activity patterns at a church site in a residential neighborhood. Staff and the city traffic engineer reviewed likely traffic and concluded the incremental weekday traffic increase would be modest even at the permit maximum (50 students); the current expected enrollment is 10 students.

Project scope and conditions Plans call for two classrooms in the primary classroom building plus two classrooms in a modular building that will double as a lunch/activity area, along with administrative offices. The applicant told the commission they currently project about 10 students; the permit allows up to 50 students but requires a permit modification if the school seeks enrollment above that threshold.

Traffic and parking City traffic staff performed an in‑house review and estimated a 3–5 percent increase in traffic under the maximum student scenario and no expected change to the overall level of service at nearby intersections. Traffic engineer Rick Gallegos noted the morning drop‑off pattern is unlikely to create significant queuing; afternoon pickup could create a more concentrated movement but is manageable within existing circulation and the on‑site parking supply.

Safety and playground space Commissioners asked about playground and outdoor activity space. Applicant James Royles, president of Pacific Oaks Academy, said the school plans to use and fence existing yard areas on site for daily play and to include supervised off‑site walks and visits to nearby trails for larger outdoor activities. The applicant also said the parking area would be resurfaced and restriped and proposed high‑visibility stanchions to cordon a play area when needed.

Vote and next steps The commission voted to adopt Resolution PC2025‑8 approving CUP‑438. Roll call recorded affirmative votes from Commissioner VanderMeelen, Commissioner Murphy, Commissioner Edsall, Vice Chair Davidson and Chair Limon. The school may operate under the approved conditions; any increase in enrollment above 50 students would require a modification to the permit and a new review.

Documents and conditions Staff recommended the CEQA Class 1 exemption for existing facilities, required updated parking and circulation labeling on site plans and noted the requirement to comply with applicable building, fire and health regulations for school use. Traffic conclusions were based on an in‑house review by the city traffic engineer; staff did not require a formal traffic study based on the projected enrollment and the site’s existing parking supply.