SUIT MAY HOLD BACK SCHOOL EASTSIDE HIGH PROJECT FACES LEGAL CHALLENGE.

Byline: Karen Maeshiro Staff Writer

LANCASTER - A lawsuit filed to overturn Antelope Valley Union High School District's environmental study for Eastside High School could delay the start of construction.

The court challenge was filed by project opponent Donald Kasper, a representative from a neighboring homeowners group, the Rancho Tierra del Sol Neighborhood Organization.

``We did an environmental impact study. We have experts in the field who said they don't find the things that Mr. Kasper says are out there,'' trustee Donita Winn said. ``Where does this man think we get the money for lawsuits? It comes out of the educational fund. We are taking away from education now. Mr. Kasper may well delay the project that we may not open it in 2005.''

Acting as his own attorney, Kasper filed the lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court on Jan. 14, naming Antelope Valley Union High School District as a defendant and the city of Lancaster as a party in interest.

Such cases typically take six months to work their way through the court system, Kasper said in an e-mail.

``The major opposition items are protection of burrowing owl and loggerhead shrike habitat at two of the three entrances to the school, and many public safety issues caused by a lack of road improvements and infrastructure to protect students and members of Rancho Tierra del Sol,'' Kasper said.

The high school board in December approved Eastside High's environmental impact report, concluding the project's benefits outweigh its potential harm to the environment.

Significant and unavoidable impacts include additional noise, air pollution and lighting at night.

The board at Wednesday's meeting approved a number of contracts with firms to provide inspection and appraisal services for the Eastside construction.

Trustee Al Beattie said most of the issues that have been raised by Kasper were covered in the EIR. He said the district intends to move forward with construction.

``It's hard to say (what effect the lawsuit will have). We will file an answer. We will see what happens from there,'' Beattie said. ``I hope for the people of the Antelope Valley that the project is not delayed because it could mean substantial cost increases, like interim housing and busing of students. It's detrimental to the entire valley. We have an obligation to the students of the valley to go ahead as quickly as possible, and that's what we intend to do. We are prepared to take whatever action is necessary.''

Construction of the $100 million school at 35th Street East and Avenue J-8 is scheduled to begin in 2005, and the campus will open in 2005 with freshmen only in portable classrooms.

A demographic study indicated that by the year 2009 there will be approximately 5,900 high school-age students living within the boundaries of Antelope Valley High School, the environmental report said.

Traffic improvements include installation of a signal at 30th Street East and Avenue J and the addition of a separate northbound left turn lane and eastbound right turn lane, and a signal at 30th Street East and Avenue J-8, the report said.

The report said the district has added features to the project to address the concerns of area residents. The campus will be fenced off on the north, south and west sides.

On the east side along 35th Street East, a block wall or a similar solid fence and landscaping will be erected, the report said.

Main access to the school will be provided from Avenue J-8, away from the existing residential streets. Three parking lots with more than 1,000 spaces will provide parking for students, faculty and visitors to ensure no spillover parking onto residential streets.

The lot at the southeastern corner of the campus that is the closest to existing homes will be used by faculty and staff only, the report said.

Karen Maeshiro, [phone]

karen.maeshiro(at)dailynews.com