Oxford Academy PTSA and residents of Cypress turned out in force at
Monday night’s City Council meeting to oppose developer City Ventures’
application to build a high-density housing project half a block from
the Oxford Academy campus. After nearly three hours of public comment
from the standing-room-only crowd, the council conditionally denied the
application by a 3-2 vote. Citing an advocacy committee reportand
resolution adopted by the school’s PTSA unit, Oxford Academy principal
Ron Hoshi and PTSA president Jon Hultman shared their concerns for
student safety. Describing the severely impacted traffic conditions on
Orange Avenue during peak traffic hours, Hoshi expressed concern “that
more of this will be the case with the added development.” Although the
traffic report commissioned by the developer found that fewer cars would
leave the property during peak hours from their proposed townhouse
complex than from the current commercial building, Hultman noted that
“we don’t find it credible that there is going to be a decrease in
traffic during those key hours when parents are dropping off kids at
school.” Cypress Mayor Mariellen Yarc took the concerns of the Oxford
community to heart, urging her colleagues to deny the permit.“A
resolution from the parents, teachers and students of Oxford Academy…you
can’t get any more groundswell than that,” said Yarc. Calling the
project “incompatible” with the character of the area, Yarc noted that
“this is a very tender spot in our city. We have Oxford Academy – it’s a
gem. It’s not just local or state – it’s nationally acclaimed. … I have
never…seen a school come out with this much passion. You can’t ignore
that.” Oxford Academy PTSA formed an ad hoc committee to study the
proposed development in September 2015. Chaired by Cypress resident and
Oxford parent Clyde Schechter, the committee also included residents
from the neighboring communities of Buena Park and Anaheim to ensure
that the focus remained on campus concerns rather than the interests of
local residents. The committee found several potential adverse effects
likely to result from the project, most notably increased congestion
during peak traffic hours and the resulting threats to student safety.
Based on the committee’s report and recommendations, the PTSA unit voted
unanimously in October 2015 to adopt a resolution asking the City
Council “to use any legal means at its disposal to prevent this
development”. “We are proud of the Oxford community for coming together
to speak out on behalf of our students, and for the City Council’s
resolve in representing the best interests of the community,” said
Hultman. “Tonight’s decision really demonstrates what can be
accomplished when schools and communities work together for the benefit
of our children.” Oxford Academy PTSA is the local PTA unit representing
parents, students and teachers at Oxford Academy. The unit won a 2015
Spotlight Award for Advocacy from California State PTA for advocacy that
supported the passage of Measure H, AUHSD’s 2014 bond measure. PTA is a
registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit association that prides itself on being a
powerful voice for all children, a relevant resource for families and
communities, and a strong advocate for public education. Membership in
PTA is open to anyone who wants to be involved and make a difference for
the education, health, and welfare of children and youth.
Oxford Academy PTSA and residents of Cypress turned out in force at
Monday night’s City Council meeting to oppose developer City Ventures’
application to build a high-density housing project half a block from
the Oxford Academy campus. After nearly three hours of public comment
from the standing-room-only crowd, the council conditionally denied the
application by a 3-2 vote. Citing an advocacy committee reportand
resolution adopted by the school’s PTSA unit, Oxford Academy principal
Ron Hoshi and PTSA president Jon Hultman shared their concerns for
student safety. Describing the severely impacted traffic conditions on
Orange Avenue during peak traffic hours, Hoshi expressed concern “that
more of this will be the case with the added development.” Although the
traffic report commissioned by the developer found that fewer cars would
leave the property during peak hours from their proposed townhouse
complex than from the current commercial building, Hultman noted that
“we don’t find it credible that there is going to be a decrease in
traffic during those key hours when parents are dropping off kids at
school.” Cypress Mayor Mariellen Yarc took the concerns of the Oxford
community to heart, urging her colleagues to deny the permit.“A
resolution from the parents, teachers and students of Oxford Academy…you
can’t get any more groundswell than that,” said Yarc. Calling the
project “incompatible” with the character of the area, Yarc noted that
“this is a very tender spot in our city. We have Oxford Academy – it’s a
gem. It’s not just local or state – it’s nationally acclaimed. … I have
never…seen a school come out with this much passion. You can’t ignore
that.” Oxford Academy PTSA formed an ad hoc committee to study the
proposed development in September 2015. Chaired by Cypress resident and
Oxford parent Clyde Schechter, the committee also included residents
from the neighboring communities of Buena Park and Anaheim to ensure
that the focus remained on campus concerns rather than the interests of
local residents. The committee found several potential adverse effects
likely to result from the project, most notably increased congestion
during peak traffic hours and the resulting threats to student safety.
Based on the committee’s report and recommendations, the PTSA unit voted
unanimously in October 2015 to adopt a resolution asking the City
Council “to use any legal means at its disposal to prevent this
development”. “We are proud of the Oxford community for coming together
to speak out on behalf of our students, and for the City Council’s
resolve in representing the best interests of the community,” said
Hultman. “Tonight’s decision really demonstrates what can be
accomplished when schools and communities work together for the benefit
of our children.” Oxford Academy PTSA is the local PTA unit representing
parents, students and teachers at Oxford Academy. The unit won a 2015
Spotlight Award for Advocacy from California State PTA for advocacy that
supported the passage of Measure H, AUHSD’s 2014 bond measure. PTA is a
registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit association that prides itself on being a
powerful voice for all children, a relevant resource for families and
communities, and a strong advocate for public education. Membership in
PTA is open to anyone who wants to be involved and make a difference for
the education, health, and welfare of children and youth.
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