ENCINITAS -- The question of what to do with the old Pacific View Elementary School property will come before the Planning Commission on Thursday, as officials consider whether to change the site's land-use designation to make way for a project that includes offices and homes.

The project, known as Pacific View Commons, calls for 12,000 square feet of office space, 14 townhomes and seven condominiums, as well as five single-family homes. Planners say the units would blend with the surrounding community and not hinder the neighbors' ocean views, with less than half of the 2.8 acre site covered by buildings.

As presented, the old 1883 schoolhouse would remain on the property as a museum and become the centerpiece of the new development.

The property is owned by the Encinitas Union School District, which has kept the title in order to shepherd the development plans through the city planning process, district officials said.

Once the rezoning has been approved, the district plans to exchange the entire parcel -- with restrictions on its development in place -- with developer John DeWald and Associates, for other office property.

The income from the rent of that office space would then go to fund existing and future programs within the district.

Since the Pacific View campus closed in 2003, the city has leased a portion of the property for a public works yard facility and offices. But the land-use restriction -- which limits the property's use to public or semipublic buildings such as churches, medical buildings or government offices -- remains in full force.

In 2005, after a vain stab at working within the land-use restrictions, district superintendent Lean King formed an advisory group to come up with a plan the neighbors and merchants would accept. That process included exploring other land-use options such as mixed residential and office uses.

King said the district worked closely with the business community and residents because "there was such fear that we would leave the property to the developers to do what they pleased."

"… We made a commitment to the community to stay with them and make sure that the property was used in their best interest," he said.

Some residents dislike the new plan for the former campus.

Nearby property owner Don McPherson, who said he plans to speak at Thursday's public hearing, has filed numerous documents protesting the proposed development. He has contended that the parking provided is insufficient and that proposed grading at the northern edge may result in a bluff collapse.

"I support development of Pacific View, but only if it is in compliance with city and state law," he wrote in a letter to the Planning Commission, adding that he considers the Planning Commission meeting premature with four weeks still left for public review of the proposal.

In its present version, the project requires amendments not only to the city's general plan, but the local coastal program and the Downtown Encinitas specific plan. If those amendments and zoning changes are approved by the Planning Commission, the proposal would then be presented to the City Council and the Coastal Commission before heading back to the beginning of the process again for design review.

The Planning Commission will meet at 6 p.m. Thursday in the Poinsettia Room in the Civic Center.

Contact staff writer Ruth Marvin Webster at (760) 901-4074 or rwebster@nctimes.com.