June 3, 2025 Your Source for Brentwood News

Letter To The Editor: Archer, Brentwood’s Traffic Scapegoat

By Rob Jacobs

Special to Brentwood News

Archer School for Girls has had its reduced Archer Forward project approved June 30 after agreeing to 25,000 square feet less than originally proposed plus a handful of other reductions. Courtesy image.
Archer School for Girls has had its reduced Archer Forward project approved June 30 after agreeing to
25,000 square feet less than originally proposed plus a handful of other reductions. Courtesy image.

I read with interest Jeff Hall’s Brentwood Beat Column, “Tight Traffic Standards for All.”

I’ve lived in Brentwood all my adult life and attended many of the public hearings about the Archer development. When a neighbor chained himself to the front gates of the Eastern Star home in 1999, I thought they planned to build a Nuclear Power Plan on the property. But since Archer made the Eastern Star their home, nothing much has changed.

It’s human nature to scapegoat. A problem arises and we look for someone to blame.

The Archer School has nothing to do with our traffic problems. The traffic on Sunset Blvd. is going to and from the businesses in Santa Monica and points west and south. One doesn’t need an engineering survey to see this, just stand out there any evening and look at all those cars pouring into our neighborhood. None are coming out of Archer. The girls there get on eight buses at 3 pm and are gone, long before the peak traffic. (The reverse is true during the morning commute). If we are to blame Archer for traffic on Sunset, then, by that same logic Archer is responsible for the traffic jams on San Vicente, Wilshire, Ohio, Santa Monica Olympic, Pico boulevards, and the 10 freeway. All the eastbound roadways are backed up and none of those cars are coming to or from Archer.

Standing at Barrington and Sunset at peak traffic I often see lines of cars queuing up for the Brentwood School and further west the St. Martin’s school, with one student per car often backing up onto Sunset where they block traffic. But those schools are not our scapegoat, Archer is.

I have neighbors who ignorantly proclaim, “Archer girls have taken over the Barrington Village, we can’t shop there any more.” Another neighbor says, “Archer School must be stopped before they try and add on a high school.” (Archer has always been a high school). There is now a website named “ArcherDisaster” and a chat forum in Mandeville Canyon called Archer “the Monster that keeps coming back.” Such discourse is spawned in ignorance, and I find it repulsive. The people speaking these words are an embarrassment to the Brentwood Community. The students, teachers, and faculty at Archer are fine and valued members of our community and should be treated as such. Many of the teachers and instructors actually walk to work, a novel concept that we should all consider.

As for the construction: had Archer not acquired the Eastern Star, developers would have and covered the property with Monster Mansions causing more construction than Archer’s plan which leaves 3/4ths of the property undeveloped.

I can personally attest to the vigor with which Archer adheres to their traffic plan. Let’s get the other schools to do the same. That would alleviate traffic.

Rob Jacobs is a 20-year resident of Brentwood.

Related Posts

A Season of Gratitude: After One Year in Business, Urban Jungle Continues Making its Mark

June 2, 2025

June 2, 2025

Over the last year, Urban Jungle, an indoor and tropical plants nursery, has continued its mission to cultivate a place...

The soul’s greatest hits

June 2, 2025

June 2, 2025

From ‘Ave Maria’ to ‘Hallelujah Chorus’ and ‘Ode to Joy,” a Santa Monica concert raising funds to help fire victims...

LAPD Increases Security at Jewish Sites Following Colorado Flamethrower Attack

June 2, 2025

June 2, 2025

Officials Ramp Up Patrols and Plan Emergency Response as Shavuot Concludes. Security outside Jewish institutions in Los Angeles has been...

The Peabody Awards Celebrate Bold Storytelling and Social Impact at Beverly Hills Gala

June 2, 2025

June 2, 2025

Honorees Including Baby Reindeer, Shōgun, and The Only Doctor at In-Person Ceremony The Peabody Awards held their awards ceremony Sunday...

Chamber Music Palisades Presents an Afternoon of Beethoven, Brahms, Debussy, and More

June 2, 2025

June 2, 2025

Brentwood Hosts Free Classical Concert with LA Philharmonic Greats Chamber Music Palisades will present a free community concert on Saturday,...

Massive Fire Engulfs Auto Shop, Shuts Down 10 Freeway Eastbound Lanes

June 2, 2025

June 2, 2025

Explosions, Thick Smoke, and Downed Power Lines Disrupt Traffic in Palms A fast-moving fire broke out Sunday behind a commercial...

Culver City to Frame Iconic Tree with Landmark Sculpture by Charles Gaines

June 2, 2025

June 2, 2025

Acclaimed Conceptual Artist’s Public Artwork Enters Final Phase Culver City is moving forward with the final phase of an ambitious...

Alpine Floor & Home: A Legacy of Quality Since 1968

June 2, 2025

June 2, 2025

Founded in 1968 with a single location, Alpine Floor & Home began as a humble family business with a clear...

Actress Cameron Diaz Slashes Price on Beverly Crest Estate to $16.5 Million

June 2, 2025

June 2, 2025

Modern Farmhouse in Beverly Crest Returns to Market with Lower Price Tag Cameron Diaz has reduced the asking price of...

Chin Chin to Close West Hollywood Location After 45 Years of Service

June 2, 2025

June 2, 2025

Iconic Sunset Plaza Restaurant Announces Final Day of Operations Chin Chin, the iconic Chinese eatery that has been a fixture...

LACMA’s $700M David Geffen Galleries to Open in 2026

June 2, 2025

June 2, 2025

New Structure Will Replace Original Midcentury Buildings Construction crews are entering the final stretch on the David Geffen Galleries, a...

Criterion Mobile Closet Arrives in L.A. for Two-Day Stop at Santa Monica’s Aero Theatre

June 2, 2025

June 2, 2025

More Than 1,000 Classic Titles June 6–7 During American Cinematheque’s Bleak Week  Following its successful appearances at SXSW and Vidiots...

Lane Closures Return to PCH in Malibu for Fire Recovery and Emergency Repairs

June 1, 2025

June 1, 2025

Traffic Will Be Impacted as Caltrans and the USACE Conduct Cleanup  The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) has announced updated...

Defensible Space, Defined: How A Plus Tree Protects Communities from Wildfire

May 30, 2025

May 30, 2025

In the wildfire-prone landscapes of the Western United States, safeguarding homes and communities requires proactive measures. A Plus Tree, a...

WeHo Pride Weekend Begins and 2025 Icons Announced: Parades, Concerts, and Community Celebration Kicks Off

May 30, 2025

May 30, 2025

Three-Day LGBTQ+ Festival Features Performances by Lizzo, Maren Morris, and Kim Petras West Hollywood is preparing to kick off its...