PHOTOS: Small Protest Against Apartments Near San Juan Hills Begins

Two men are trying to rally San Juan Hills High parents and taxpayers in Capistrano Unified against a 100-unit apartment complex proposed next to the high school.

Last week, the Capistrano Unified school board unanimously passed a resolution urging the San Juan Capistrano City Council to reject the apartment proposal. District officials said they would like the opportunity to negotiate to buy or trade the property so San Juan Hills High could eventually expand.

The 9-acre site – on which current zoning would allow four homes – is the last buildable, undeveloped property adjacent to school. 

If the school cannot expand, eventually, San Juan Capistrano students may be forced to schools outside their city as residents of Ladera Ranch and Talega have priority enrollment, the school board's resolution states. Mello Roos taxes from those areas helped build the school, giving them legal first priority.

San Juan Capistrano resident Mike Johnson worries that a zoning change to allow 100 units will price the district out of contention and that eventually, the apartments will be built, adding more traffic to an already congested area.

He says protesters will be out again Friday and Tuesday morning near the school. Passers-by asked questions, while some thanked the men for coming out.

The City Council is expected to take up the matter when it meets at 6 p.m. Tuesday at City Hall, 32400 Paseo Adelanto, San Juan Capistrano.

See past Patch coverage of the Rancho San Juan Apartments:

• Apartment Complex at Whispering Hills Gets Initial OK
• Review Begins for 100-Unit Apartments
• Developer Makes Unexpected Offer to Put Traffic Light Near High School 
• VIDEO: Citing Traffic Concerns, Panel Rejects Apartment Complex
• Local Students May Be Pushed out of San Juan Hills High
• Capo School Board Urges Denial of Apartments Next to High School