Latest high school project plans unveiled in Springfield
SPRINGFIELD » The school district’s appearance before the township planning commission had a few surprises. But none were connected to the latest preliminary/final plan application of the high school project.
The master plan is now as set as it will be other than details that take place in actual development. It has been seen, discussed, critiqued and revised over the course of several years during town halls, school board meetings, presentations and consultations.
During those various phases, the public has been engaged, and has taken positions. It was surprising, therefore, that the number of people at the planning commission session who were not directly or professionally connected to the project could be counted on one hand.
The second unexpected factor was that the meeting was concluded in 45 minutes with all business completed other than the board’s decision.
Leading the project team, attorney Don Petrosa summarized the project to date.
“We were here Nov. 10, 2016, almost a year ago, with a different plan. We went back to the drawing board,” Petrosa said of concerns raised by the planners and township officials. “We spent three months working out issues with St. Francis resulting in an agreement in July.”
Petrosa noted the school district appeared before the Zoning Hearing Board in July and September, and will return in October.
“We have tried to keep the project moving with a lot of meetings to resolve both minor and more significant items,” he said.
The project team described two larger issues which were key concerns of township officials (also detailed at zoning.) Three areas out of normal travel lanes on South Rolling Road have been created for drop off and pick up of students. These are intended to reduce stacking along Saxer Avenue. In addition, 44 parking spaces and a sidewalk have been added to South Rolling Road.
The second alteration has been expanded access points and engineering for emergency vehicles. Petrosa said both fire and police personnel are satisfied with those changes.
Project professionals once again presented the plan with visuals. Engineer Christopher Jensen highlighted the agreed-to buffers with St. Francis and added parking spaces. He also showed the new lighting plan resulting from a shift in the athletic field location. Jensen said the light “spillage” is essentially removed from private property.
Traffic engineer Eric Ostimchuk noted traffic at 24 nearby intersections would not be expected to change as the school use is the same. The focus of planning was on improving flow on adjacent roadways by taking traffic inside the campus and the new Rolling Road lay-by sections.
Finally, Architect David Schrader showed a visual of building heights around the project, one zoning relief needed. The graphic showed various points of the building and some comparisons to St. Francis structures.
In public comment, Morton resident Michael Lee received a “yes” when asked if the entire building was to be air conditioned. Kevin Dion of Stewart Avenue repeated his aesthetic and logistical concern stated at the zoning hearing about the proposed South Rolling Road fence. Jensen said that is the type of detail which will be open to discussion.
Not discussed at any point in recent meetings has been cost, or a change from the working price tag of $125-130 million.
There were no substantial concerns from planners. Township Solicitor Jim Byrne said he the typical scenario would be for the district to return to planning Nov. 2 for final wrap up once review letters were issued. The applicant is expected to be back at zoning Oct. 26, and could be before commissioners at the Nov. 14 meeting for final approval. All meetings are open to the public.