Planning commission approves Environmental Charter High School Gardena campus changes with memorial condition

The Gardena Planning Commission approved the Environmental Charter High School Gardena’s request to modify its conditional use permit, adopt a concurrent site-plan review and authorize an administrative parking adjustment, subject to conditions that include coordinating with former Calvary Baptist Church worshipers about memorializing elements of the existing sanctuary.

Community Development staff presented the proposal to replace an existing roughly 9,000-square-foot chapel building with a smaller, roughly 7,500-square-foot classroom and office building; upgrade landscaping and fencing; add a monument sign; improve parking and vehicle circulation; and reduce required off-street parking by 12% (from 104 spaces to 93) through Administrative Adjustment 1-24. Staff said the project is in the R-1 single-family zone and that a conditional use permit is required pursuant to Gardena Municipal Code section 18 12 0 3 0 b; a concurrent site-plan review is required pursuant to Gardena Municipal Code section 18 44 0 1 0 a; and the parking reduction is requested under Gardena Municipal Code section 18 50.02 a. Staff recommended the commission conduct a public hearing, receive testimony and adopt Resolution PC 1-25 approving CUP 1-24, Site Plan Review 1-24 and Administrative Adjustment 1-24. Staff also advised that the project is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to guidelines cited in the staff report (15.302, 15.303 and 15 300.2 as stated in the staff presentation).

Representatives of Environmental Charter Schools (ECS) detailed plans for a net-zero classroom building and campus circulation changes intended to move drop-off and pickup onto the site, increase on-site queuing and add interior and exterior fencing to keep student activity in the campus core. ECS representatives said the school has been leasing the site since 2021, purchased it in 2022 from Calvary Church, and now seeks to convert the campus exclusively for high school use as the church plans to relocate. ECS presented partnerships with El Camino College and local environmental organizations and emphasized student outcomes, dual-enrollment opportunities and planned green features such as solar, rainwater collection and native-plant gardens.

Five public speakers addressed the commission. A long-term neighbor, who lives at 15905 Atkinson Avenue, supported the project generally but asked the commission to reconsider staff’s CEQA exemption finding because he believes the former chapel contains asbestos in textured ceilings and expressed concern about demolition impacts. Several parents and students spoke in support of the project, describing the campus as a safe, high-performing environment and urging approval. A local naturalist and partner with the Gardena Willows Wetlands Preserve described long-standing field partnerships with ECS and urged the commission to approve the campus improvements.

During deliberations a commissioner moved approval with a friendly amendment requiring the applicant to work with former worshipers of Calvary Baptist Church to memorialize the church’s history on site and to preserve or transfer any artifacts identified for retention. Staff clarified that if preservation of an item is requested, the item must be identified and plans submitted before issuance of any demolition permit so the city can ensure protected items are saved. The commission voted to adopt Resolution PC 1-25 approving Cup 1-24, Site Plan Review 1-24 and Administrative Adjustment 1-24 subject to the attached conditions of approval and the memorialization condition. The roll-call vote was four yes, zero no, with Commissioner Langley abstaining; motion passed 4-0 with one abstention.

The approval allows the school to proceed with building plans and permits, subject to the standard conditions of approval and the additional condition directing the applicant to coordinate with former Calvary Baptist Church worshipers regarding memorialization and artifact preservation prior to demolition permit issuance.