CARMELITE SISTERS CLOSER TO BUILDING CONVENT, FACILITIES; COUNTY BACKS LAKE L.A. PLANS.

Byline: Bhavna Mistry Daily News Staff Writer

An order of Roman Catholic nuns has received support from Los Angeles County planners for their proposed convent, child-care facility and retreat center.

During a public hearing Tuesday, the Carmelite Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Los Angeles were granted preliminary approval on plans to build three structures on 155 acres near 180th Street East south of Avenue P.

``I thought it was going to be an asset to the community,'' said Regional Planning Assistant Ronnie Giron. ``It met the zoning requirements.''

The official approval will come after a county hearing officer signs a final letter, officials said. The order must acquire building permits from the Los Angeles County Department of Building and Safety before beginning construction.

Officials said that construction is expected to begin by the end of the year.

The public hearing in Los Angeles drew numerous speakers in support of the project. County officials said they received letters and telephone calls in support, plus one letter from a neighbor in opposition because of concerns about traffic.

The proposed structures include a 13,000-square-foot convent, a 9,000-square-foot child-care and preschool facility and an 11,570-square-foot retreat center.

Last week's approval followed a June 2 hearing at which county officials asked for the project to be expanded to include sidewalks, curbs, gutters and street lights around the property. County officials later reduced the requirements.

``They (the sisters) felt it was going to be too expensive,'' said Giron. ``It was later determined that it was not necessary.''

The Carmelite Sisters initially chose the Lake Los Angeles site as a place to build a new motherhouse, but after visiting the area they added plans for the retreat and day care center, which they say are greatly needed in Lake Los Angeles.

In its initial phase, the convent will have 10 sleeping quarters, an office, a chapel, a dining room, kitchen, exercise room and laundry area.

The sisters hope to have an initial core group of five sisters residing in the Lake Los Angeles convent.

A second phase of the convent will add to both ends of the structure and include two visiting rooms, 10 additional sleeping quarters and a sunroom.

The child-care center will initially consist of a lobby/reception area, offices, conference rooms, isolation room, multipurpose room, classrooms, storage room, kitchen and covered walkway.

To be added later will be a work area; conference rooms; two classrooms with toilets, sink cabinets and cabinets; exterior covered walkway; a utility and mechanical room and 40 parking spaces with a drop-off area.

The retreat center will be located on the southwest portion of the property and consist of a reception area, conference rooms, medical office, speaker lounge, quiet room, visitor lounge and resource/research library.

Eventually, the sisters hope to construct an elementary school, a residence for senior citizens, a health care center and a computer lab and play area for children.

The Carmelite Sisters moved to Southern California in 1927 because of religious persecution in Mexico. They have been saving money from fund-raisers for 15 years to build a new motherhouse.

Based in Alhambra, the nuns run the Santa Teresita Hospital in Duarte, work in day-care centers in Lincoln Heights and Duarte and teach in four elementary schools in Los Angeles.