Two weeks after Los Angeles county zoning officials threatened to shut the school down, the chairman of the Sahag Mesrob Armenian Christian School said in a letter to the neighbors that they have delivered over 1,400 names and addresses of parents and local supporters to officials.
Exactly who they delivered them to isn't clear; the letter says that "We already have delivered to city officials last week over 1,400 names and addresses of parents and local supporters, but the end of the week, we will have two to three times more." However, Altadena isn't a city, but an unincorporated town, and town council officials have no power other than to make recommendations -- and in its last meeting, the council unanimously asked the county to enforce the zoning code in the case of Sahag Mesrob.
According to the county, the 250-student school, which opened its Palm St. campus in September, hasn't yet received a conditional use permit (CUP) to operate. Two weeks ago, it received a notice of violation from the county, the practical intent of which would be to close down the school.
However, it was still in operation Friday, which is also a day when the county zoning offices are closed. (Altadenablog left a message with the zoning office Friday afternoon).
Sahag Mesrob principal Shahe Garabedian told Altadenablog last week that a letter, signed by school board chairman Ara Assilian, was circulating to the neighbors. The letter itself said that, after ten years of looking for school sites, the Palm St. property became available and the school filed for a CUP. School officials opted to open the school before receiving county approval because, "To us, the uninterrupted continuation of our children's education took priority."
Assalian also cites "the positive impact our school will have on your home values," because parents would want to live closer to the school, and the school's effect on the economy.
Link to pdf of Sahag Mesrob letter
