The Votes Are In!
2024 Readers' Choice is back, bigger and better than ever!
View Winners → Duarte Unified proposes development at Andres Duarte School site
San Gabriel Valley Dec 04, 2024
Proposed development at Andres Duarte School site. | Rendering courtesy of the city of Duarte
by
share with
The Duarte Unified School District has proposed a 169-unit owner-occupied townhome and park renovation project, and officials have begun an environmental impact study for the project at the site of the former Andres Duarte School, the city announced.
The school site at 1433 Crestfield Drive is 7.8 acres, according to the city. The total project area is about 14.1 acres that will also include removal of the Mount Olive Innovation & Technology High School campus at 1400 Crestfield and a full renovation of Otis Gordon Park.
The proposed townhomes will have three or four bedrooms and will range from 1,358 to 1,475 square feet with a two-car garage. The complex will is also have a community recreation building and pool.
The Otis Gordon Park renovation will include a multi-use field, park area, tot lot, perimeter walkway and parking lot.
The Duarte Unified School District selected Crestfield Townhomes LLC to develop the site and has entered into a 99-year land lease, officials said.
“Because this is a land lease arrangement, the townhomes will be for lease,” according to the city’s announcement. “Owner occupied units are approximately 64% of units in the city which is significantly above the countywide average of 45%. So the proposed development would not create an imbalance.”
The city recently hired Rincon Associates to prepare the environmental impact report that officially began Nov. 22. Officials estimated the draft EIR will be completed in by summer 2025.
When the report is released, the Planning Commission and ultimately the City Council will decide on the project at public meetings.
The project requires a zoning change from the public facility, or PF designation to open space and “high density residential,” or R-4. Officials said the project also requires approval for a site plan and design review and planned development permit.
Following DUSD’s decision to close the school and to lease the property for development, city officials requested that the development include “quality family housing with three and four bedrooms; excellent architectural design with a variety in architectural style; some percentage of the units must be offered at the moderate affordable income level; a full renovation of Otis Gordon Park that includes off street parking; and strong project amenities,” according to the city statement.
A public meeting on the EIR is scheduled for Jan. 7 at 7 p.m. at the Duarte Senior Center, 1610 Huntington Drive.
More information on the project is available on the city’s website.
