Escondido planning commission approves Bear Valley Classical Academy expansion with crosswalk staffing condition

The Escondido Planning Commission on Jan. 28 approved a conditional use permit modification, a major plot plan and a major design review to allow Bear Valley Classical Academy to expand its campus at 2950 Fair Valley Parkway, increasing on-site staff capacity and adding a new multipurpose building. The motion passed on a roll-call vote; Commissioner Stevie moved approval and Commissioner Macarro seconded.

Staff said the project would raise maximum on-site staff from 30 to 70 and increase on-site student capacity from 400 to 505 while the school’s total enrollment (including students served off-site through a combination/home model) could reach as many as 1,230. Alex Rangel, assistant planner for the City of Escondido, told commissioners the proposal includes a new two-story multipurpose building of roughly 6,600 square feet, conversion of about 2,100 square feet of existing residential structures to classrooms and placement of two 8-by-40 cargo containers for storage.

The commission attached a condition requiring the school to staff the high-visibility crosswalk on Gretna Green and Canyon Road during peak drop-off and pick-up hours; commissioners said that requirement should follow the property if operations change hands. "We usually have at least 2 out there," Mark Calpageon, identified himself as chief operating officer for Classical Academies, said of the school’s safety personnel. "That's a requirement on our end. I can confirm, yes, we do have a parking agreement with St. Timothy's for an additional about 60 spots." Rangel confirmed staff had reviewed the project for parking and traffic and said the site provides 70 parking spaces, which meets the zoning standard referenced in the staff report.

Commissioners and staff focused on traffic and emergency access during the hearing. Staff reported the project's net average daily trips screened out of a full traffic study under the city's transportation impact guidelines (the project's daily trips were below the screening threshold of 200 average daily trips). Owen, a staff reviewer, said the project's local analysis produced an estimate near 194 average daily trips. City departments including the fire and police departments reviewed the project; staff said fire reviewed and had no outstanding concerns related to emergency access.

Residents and the applicant described onsite management practices. David Burke, a nearby resident, said morning and afternoon circulation already becomes congested and urged further traffic mitigation. The applicant said the school currently uses staggered pickup practices, safety personnel at the crosswalk, and an informal parking arrangement with St. Timothy's Church across Canyon Road; school leadership said most staff park at the church lot during weekdays.

Commissioners discussed additional monitoring: several suggested follow-up if on-the-ground complaints increase. Staff noted that under Article 61, Division 1 of the municipal code, the city may initiate a review of a conditional use permit to modify, suspend or revoke it if impacts are not being addressed.

The commission approved the resolution adopting the required land‑use approvals and design review and added the crosswalk staffing requirement as a condition of approval. The record shows the staff recommendation and project drawings were provided to commissioners in advance; staff and the applicant answered commissioner questions at the hearing.

What’s next: The project will proceed with the building-division and fire-department review for occupancy and construction permits under the conditions approved by the planning commission.

Votes at a glance

Motion: Approve Resolution No. 2025-02 approving the conditional use permit modification, major plot plan and major design review for Bear Valley Classical Academy expansion at 2950 Fair Valley Parkway; add condition to require school-provided crossing guards at the high-visibility crosswalk during peak drop-off/pick-up. Mover: Commissioner Stevie; Second: Commissioner Macarro. Roll-call vote (as recorded at the hearing): Vice Chair Barber — yes; Commissioner McCarroll — yes; Commissioner Spear — yes; Chair Wyler — yes; Commissioner Jester — no; Commissioner Stevie — yes; Commissioner Currell — yes. Outcome: approved.

Details and limits

• Staff reported the project meets off-street parking requirements with 70 spaces and screened out of a full traffic impact study under city thresholds. • On-site staff capacity is increased from 30 to 70; on-site student capacity will increase to 505; total program enrollment (including off-site enrollment) reported by the applicant is 1,230. • New construction: a two‑story ~6,600 sq. ft. multipurpose building plus conversion of ~2,100 sq. ft. of existing residential structures to classrooms and two 8-by-40 cargo containers for storage. • The cargo containers were described as storage only and not to be occupied.

Community context

The site borders Canyon Road and Bear Valley Parkway, near Bear Valley Middle School, St. Timothy's Church and a senior-living facility. Commissioners emphasized that follow-up enforcement and cooperation between the school and city departments (police, fire, traffic engineering) will be important if neighborhood traffic or safety complaints increase.

Sources: Staff presentation by Alex Rangel, applicant remarks by Mark Calpageon, public testimony by David Burke and staff Q&A recorded on the Jan. 28 Planning Commission transcript.