Oaks Christian gets the finer points of student living

New student dorm with lush outdoor recreation/study area will 'mimic' the Four Seasons



NEW PLANS–Above, the converted three-story dorm, which is under construction, and below, a rendering of an outdoor recreation area recently approved by the City Council that shows barbecue, pizza oven and serene study area.      Courtesy photos

Following through on a proposal first made three years ago to convert a classroom and office building into student housing, officials at Oaks Christian High School are set to proceed with a recreational open space next to a multistory complex on Cedar Valley Drive that rivals what one might find at a finer hotel.

In addition to a sports court, the plans presented to the Westlake Village City Council for a vote Jan. 12 call for shaded study areas, water features, a kitchen, barbecues and dining areas. The new space would occupy most of a former parking lot, leaving room for seven cars, and be screened from the street by trees and a 10-foot concrete block wall fully covered by landscaping.

“This is a brilliant use of space,” Councilmember Kelly Honig said before the five-member council cast a unanimous yes vote on the plan.

A city staff report from 2018 when the three-story dorm was introduced indicated that the building’s parking lot would be converted to “recreational open space and landscaping,” but there were no specific improvements authorized by the development permit. When Oaks Christian made its request for the outdoor space official in November 2021,  Councilmembers Brad Halpern, who is now mayor, and Ray Pearl, both members of the council’s Land Use Committee, expressed concern over the wall height, which exceeds by more than 6 feet what is allowed by the city’s municipal code along a property’s front line.

“The original plans for this did not have trees along the street and there were portions of the wall that were not landscaped,” said city planning director Michael Forbes said. But given its stated purpose to provide adequate security, safety and privacy for students, and considering that the city allowed a lush, aesthetically pleasing wall taller than 10 feet at the nearby Four Seasons Hotel on Dole Drive, the council’s Land Use Committee recommended a vote by the full council, based on minor design changes that were made to the plans.

“The direction from the Land Use Committee was to add the landscaping on the full surface of the wall and to add the trees there,” Forbes said. “The Four Seasons perimeter wall was mentioned as a good example to try and mimic.”

Two emergency gates would be included, made from steel frames and wood-look fencing material. While the wall would be closer to the street than is allowed under the municipal code, city officials say that’s OK because sticking to building standards would reduce the size of the space significantly and “frustrate efficient use” of the space.

Pearl praised school officials for their willingness to compromise during the approval process.

“Essentially the things that we asked for, they said, ‘Sure, we can do that,’” he said. “What I was hoping to see is exactly what we got.”

Renderings provided for council review include a covered performance area, a fire pit, outdoor kitchen island with dual sink and storage, a grass area and basketball half-court. An area referred to as Oak Plaza for the oak tree at one end would feature its own barbecue and dual fridge, and seating that meets Americans with Disabilities Act standards. Students would also have access to bistro chairs and tables as well as seating sets with umbrellas. Examples of possible landscape choices include blue jacaranda as large canopy trees, Natchez crape myrtle as small canopies, with kangaroo paw, lavender, deer grass and star jasmine also included.

Follow Scott Steepleton on Twitter @scottsteepleton.