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C. WORK STUDY SESSION Senior Planner Lucy Linnaus provided an overview of the new Orangewood Charter Academy project and introduced the Orangewood Children's Foundation staff. Chris Simonsen, Chief Financial Officer with the Orangewood Children's Foundation, provided an overview of the publicly funded chartered school that will provide educational facilities serving a projected maximum of 450 students with on-site housing for 80 children in family -style clustered dormitories. The school's charter was approved by the Orange County Board of Education. Wendy Rogers, Principal architect, provided a detailed presentation on the site plan, architecture, materials, landscaping, on-site circulation and overall tone and feel of the project. She stated that they would be pursuing LEED Silver certification for the project. She explained how the site layout had been designed to address any concerns from the adjacent neighborhood regarding noise, light spillage and parking. She further explained that Orangewood is pursuing a parking agreement with the church immediately across the street for use during special events, but that there would be adequate on-site parking for the daily operations of the school. The Commissioners provided the following comments. Commissioner Yrarrazaval inquired as to who provides funding and how students would be selected. Applicant's staff responded that funding was being provided through donations and grants administered through the Orangewood Children's Foundation. As a public charter school, it would be open to the public with priority given to students in foster care. Vice Chairman Gartner expressed support for the project design. Chairman Alderete inquired about the student to adult ratio in the on-site housing. Applicant responded there would be eight "house couples" within the residential facilities, and one adult per ten students for on-site supervision. Commissioner Yrarrazaval asked for clarification that this is not a "lock down" facility. Applicant confirmed. Commissioner Yrarrazaval and Nalle expressed an interest in seeing the project achieve LEED Gold status. Ms. Rogers explained that achieving Gold status would probably best be done through the use of photo -voltaic panels installed on the building rooftops, and that, while the budget didn't allow for this at present, it could be something they would pursue in the future. Chairman Alderete expressed an interest in incorporating California natives into the landscape palette and stated that warm color palette for the buildings was a good solution to the sometimes institutional look of such facilities. Chairman Alderete inquired as to the placement of residential buildings. Ms. Rogers ' stated that the site was divided into educational and residential "zones", with the academic buildings on the north and living area to the south. Chairman Yrarrazaval commented on the need for shading from the sun in the outdoor eating areas. Ms. Rogers clarified the plans included a shaded area along the cafeteria/multi-purpose building. Senior Planner Lucy Linnaus reviewed the timeline for the project: completing the Development Review process, the Mitigated Negative Declaration at end of April, public outreach process underway, discretionary actions will be held during June, deadline for opening the facility is Fall 2013. Edna Neighborhood meetings have Planning Commission Minutes Page 2 of 3 April 9, 2012