School clarifies project

Enrollment at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic School will not increase due to a plan to add 17,500 square feet of facilities to the campus — a 70% increase in square footage.

Julia Kelly, a parent and project spokeswoman, said that due to the building department’s regulations, 7,500 feet of covered walkways are considered part of the project’s square footage, which led to a widespread impression that the school is nearly doubling in size.

Not counting the walkways, the school is enlarging by 10,000 square feet, from its current 25,000 square feet — a 40% increase.

Kelly added that only 2,500 square feet of that amount is for classrooms.

The remainder of the 10,000 square feet will be used to meet Americans with Disabilities Act regulations, and expand the library and administrative offices.

The school, at 990 Temple Terrace in South Laguna, is currently allowed to serve a maximum of 315 students.

The project has come under fire from critics who charge that it will increase traffic and harm the environment.

In addition, the recent discovery of an endangered gnatcatcher bird near the site has required additional environmental review and postponed construction.