Springfield H.S. plan goes to zoners on Thursday
SPRINGFIELD >> The school district’s high school master plan is scheduled for the township’s Zoning Hearing Board May 25 meeting. An earlier district appearance was continued following a request by St. Francis of Assisi parish, which had retained an attorney for the case.
Paul Wechsler, in his committee report at commissioners’ May meeting, outlined the specifics of the application to be heard by zoners. Special exceptions and/or variances to the zoning ordinance will include relief on educational use on the residentially zoned property; building height of 46 feet where 35 feet is the maximum allowed; a setback of less than 40 feet from Leamy Avenue for a maintenance building; an increase in impervious surface of less than 10 percent; and to permit parking of commercial vehicles (school buses).
Relief is also needed with regard to other parking issues: To permit 362 off-street parking spaces which include 62 on-street spaces on West Leamy Avenue where 383 off-street spaces are required; allow stacking lanes to block parking spaces and aisles; and not to provide landscape screen for off-street parking areas.
Vehicular traffic volume, flow and circulation have all been concerns of the township and residents who have provided input and comment in prior town hall meetings. While the public may give testimony during the hearing, residents should be aware the Zoning Hearing Board operates as a quasi-judicial body and is structured in a more formal manner.
The district is also expected to appear at the township’s planning commission, potentially in June, to present the latest iteration of the plan for the entire campus. That meeting had also been continued by request of St. Francis, and agreed to by the school district.
All meetings are advertised, open to public and held 7:30 p.m. at the township building 50 Powell Road. Residents would be advised to check the listed agendas for applications to be considered.