CHULA VISTA – High Tech High, which launched its first South County charter school this year in temporary quarters, will seek a permit tomorrow to build a permanent campus.
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High Tech High Chula Vista
What: Back-to-back meetings in Chula Vista to consider a conditional use permit for the school.
When: Planning Commission meets at 5 p.m. tomorrow; City Council meets at 6 p.m.
Where: Planning Commission meets in the Lee Conference Room, 430 F St. Council meets in the council chambers, 276 Fourth Ave.
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The city plans to move quickly. At 5 p.m. tomorrow, the Planning Commission will vote on whether to recommend a conditional use permit for the school. At 6 p.m., the City Council will vote on final approval.
Harold Phelps, a city planner overseeing the project, said the Planning Commission usually meets at least two weeks before the council considers a project. He said the school asked for a decision by the end of this month.
Grace Lee, special projects coordinator for High Tech High, said the school needs its permit by the end of the year to line up financing.
In August, High Tech High opened with 150 freshmen in rented space on the Mater Dei Catholic High School campus. The Point Loma-based organization wants to build its own facility – a $17 million campus that will include an environmental research center – on about 10 acres of city-owned land in east Chula Vista.
Lee said the goal is to finish construction of the 550-student high school by fall. The permit is also for a future, 700-student elementary/middle school.
On Jan. 23, the Chula Vista City Council granted High Tech High a $1-per-year lease of land near the Eastlake and Otay Ranch neighborhoods. High Tech High will be the first project built within the city's University Park and Research Center.
Phelps said the school will still have to submit site plans and apply for building permits.
Charter schools are independent, publicly funded schools that are free of most state education regulations.
High Tech High's eight California charter schools each offer a college-prep curriculum with a technology theme. The Chula Vista school features an “environmental” theme, with courses that focus on global environmental issues.
Students from throughout San Diego County are eligible to apply and, if admitted, pay nothing to attend. Seats are awarded through a lottery that gives a statistical advantage to low-income students. Applications are at www.high techhigh.org.
Tanya Mannes: (619) 498-6639; tanya.mannes@uniontrib.com
