The Encinitas Planning Commission is set to consider the proposed redevelopment of the former Pacific View school site Feb. 21.

The Encinitas Arts, Culture and Ecology Alliance, the group working on the proposal, has been rounding up support ahead of the hearing.

The site at 608 Third St. is home to the 1950s-era Pacific View Elementary School, which closed in 2003. The city bought the property from the Encinitas Union School District for $10 million in 2014 after a vocal public campaign. In 2015, the City Council chose the Encinitas Arts, Culture and Ecology Alliance as the operating partner to occupy and redevelop the site.

The property is also home to the historic Encinitas Schoolhouse, built in 1883 and maintained by the Encinitas Historical Society.

Alliance members and volunteers have raised funds, built partnerships and participated in multiple cleanups and repair sessions since it became the site’s operator. Now, the Planning Commission will take up the proposal for the Pacific View Academy of Arts.

The idea is to offer a venue for local artists and musicians, and provide opportunities for community events, performances and other cultural activities with limited impacts to the neighborhood, according to an alliance announcement.

The alliance has a fundraising goal of $2 million to put its plan into action, according to a brochure at www.pacificviewacademyarts.org. More than $400,000 has been raised so far. Among the funding goals:

$600,000 for renovation of existing classrooms and buildings;
$600,000 for landscaping improvements;
$400,000 for new bathrooms, security and culinary arts facilities.

The organization aims to run the site “as a vibrant, self-sustaining community arts, culture and ecology education center serving the entire Encinitas community,” alliance board members stated in a Feb. 14 letter to supporters ahead of the Planning Commission meeting.

The alliance also encouraged Encinitas residents to attend the meeting and send emails to the city in support of the proposal.

The Planning Commission will meet in City Council chambers at 6 p.m. Jan. 21 at the Encinitas Civic Center, 505 S. Vulcan Ave.

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