BRANDEIS MAY SELL HOMES FOR FUNDING.

Byline: Angie Valencia Staff Writer

Brandeis-Bardin Institute officials are considering building about 20 homes on 72.6 acres of its hillside property to help fund programs at the Jewish educational resource center.

The institute got the green light Monday from the City Council to proceed with plans to build homes on a portion of its 3,000-acre site.

``This is the beginning of a long process - this was only the first step,'' project coordinator Elaine Freeman said Tuesday. ``The area we're looking at is removed from their activity area and an asset to provide them money to improve projects.''

Brandeis-Bardin, which currently has no designated zoning regulations, would seek designation as very low density residential and open space. The proposed development site is east of the southerly extension of Stearns Street and about 120 feet south of Hidden Ranch Drive.

``It's almost a separate parcel,'' said Councilman Glen Becerra. ``It makes sense to develop it and sell it off.''

The institute now faces various environmental, geological and engineering studies - as well as opposition from the adjacent Hidden Ranch development concerned about a loss of their views and privacy.

City officials said the institute intends to conclude all studies first and then design a project around the findings. They also favor working with Hidden Ranch homeowners to reconcile any differences.

According to Freeman, proponents of the project met with residents in December and plan another meeting this week.

Angie Valencia, [phone]

angie.valencia(at)dailynews.com