Updated: Palm Street School Applicant Says He Will Not Appeal County Denial

Updated 4/18: No appeal was filed by the deadline on Wednesday, according to Anita Gutierrez of the County Regional Planning Department.

Original: The founder of an Arcadia private school who had his proposal to build a new school in Altadena denied by a county commission says he will not file an appeal to that decision.

Philip Clarke, the founder of , had his proposal for a private high school at 183 E. Palm Street rejected by the County's Regional Planning Commission in a 3-2 vote on April 4.

Clarke wrote Patch in an email that he has "decided not to pursue any further interest in establishing a school in Altadena."

Wednesday is the deadline for Clarke to file an appeal, which would be heard by the County Board of Supervisors. 

The Palm Street School was the subject of multiple hearings by the Altadena Town Council and the council's Land Use Committee, before ultimately going before the County Regional Planning Commission.  All of them voted against the project, citing traffic, noise, and general disturbance to the neighborhood.

Dozens of people showed up at all the hearings to speak, with many in the neighborhood voicing strong opposition.  Parents affiliated with the school showed up in great numbers as well to speak in favor of the project.

Clarke said in the email he regrets he was unable to win over the neighborhood and get support for the project:

We are sorry that we could not convince the immediate neighbors around E. Palm St that we would have been good and productive neighbors for them. We wish them every blessing, serenity and success in the future.

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