City OKs Expansion of Optometry College

Despite objections from neighbors, the Southern California College of Optometry will proceed this spring with plans for a three-level parking structure and a two-story building to house a library and lecture halls.

The City Council this week approved the project after a lengthy public hearing at which residents of the area near the college protested.

After showing slides and a video of the Fullerton Creek neighborhood, where ducks and a number of other bird species live, residents said they fear that the structures will threaten the birds’ habitat in the area bounded by Woodbriar Court to the west and Ravenhill Court to the east.

Woodbriar and Ravenhill abut the north end of the college campus, where the lecture hall and library building and the 325-stall parking structure are to be built.

The residents also expressed concern that the buildings would be an eyesore, block views, cause the value of their homes to drop and increase noise and traffic.

“It would be an utter shame to have properties decline in value,” said Nell Stokes, who lives on Woodbriar.

College President Richard L. Hopping assured them that the buildings are needed and will not disrupt the tranquil Fullerton Creek neighborhood. He said the northern edge of campus will be elaborately landscaped.

W.E. Langston, a college planner, added, “We do not want to disturb that area, not one bit.”

Councilman Peter Godfrey said he favored the project because Fullerton is a business-friendly city and because the college will expand without exploiting the community around it.

College officials said construction will probably begin in March.