Porter Ranch Plan Doesn’t Shortchange Schools

This letter is in response to a letter to the editor regarding the lack of school space within the Porter Ranch Development Project. Either the writer cannot understand English or is reading a different version of the Porter Ranch Specific Plan.

As I understand the specific plan, two school sites can be reserved within the development. But are these schools really needed?

Aren’t there two ample-sized elementary schools currently being used by the Los Angeles Unified School District in the surrounding community, not to mention the 13 other vacant schools throughout the San Fernando Valley?

Additionally, under state law, LAUSD can always claim any necessary school site within the specific plan. The writer has pointed out that this multi-residential/commercial project could take as long as 30 years to complete. Therefore in 15 or 20 years much of the project would be undeveloped, leaving plenty of vacant land for a school site.

Upon reading the Porter Ranch Specific Plan, I believe the project is the most energy-efficient, environmentally conscious and well-balanced projects ever to emerge within our expanding Valley.

LUCINDA DERANGO

Canoga Park