Springfield planners give OK to $125M high school
SPRINGFIELD » To say the planning commission’s November meeting lacked drama is an understatement. The board approved the preliminary/final land development for the school district’s high school after about 45 minutes with exactly one individual in attendance.
That said, the $125 million project has been before the public at various presentations and regular meetings at least two dozen times over the course of more than five years. With planners’ approval—which is in the form of a recommendation—the project moves on to the board of commissioners for consideration and among the final formal steps. The BOC is expected to hear the application Nov. 14.
Project attorney Don Petrosa opened by saying that planners had seen the full presentation in October, but review letters from township professionals were recently received. This prompted limited discussion, not surprisingly mostly focused on traffic matters. Petrosa said the issues included a gate planned to restrict traffic near St. Francis School, and access points on South Rolling Road.
“Traffic is not a perfect science. It’s hard to predict what the public will do,” township engineer Joe Mastronardo said. “We would like the district to have the ability to modify (traffic movement) once we see how everyone uses the school.”
Mastronardo appeared in agreement with the plan “as long as the township has options open to us.” As has been stated in prior meetings, parties have agreed to a post-construction traffic study that may or may not lead to “operational” changes, but not the placement of parking fields or interior roadways.
One parking issue that cannot yet be resolved is the potential for bus parking to be taken off site – a matter the district has pursued. Should that happen, the bus parking lot could be converted to regular parking for close to 300 cars.
The matter of field lights relocation, due to a shift in the stadium on site, was approved as a conditional use. Attached to approval was the requirement for a post-occupancy study to confirm lighting conditions were consistent with approved design; and that adjustments would be made if necessary.
Other tweaks may include speed humps on South Rolling Road (recommended by the Delaware County Planning Department, but not favored by township safety management officials); bicycle parking accommodations on campus; further consideration of the landscape plan; and assured compliance with the settlement agreement between the district and St. Francis School and Parish. Planner Jim Kennedy said he wanted use of athletic fields by local organizations and township residents addressed formally.
Although the entire project team was present, no one needed to refer to the Power Point presentation. Only engineer Chris Jensen was asked a technical question pertaining to storm water management.
As the project progressed, fewer and fewer members of the public have attended meetings. The initial project Town Hall meetings drew hundreds, many of whom focused on the need for a new school versus renovation, and the cost, still estimated in the $125-130 million range. Comment of late has concentrated on traffic.
Jim Epperson had the distinction of being the last man—and the only man—in the room aside from those directly related to the project. From the start, Epperson, along with other residents on the portion of Wyndmoor Road that abuts the campus, has monitored each plan iteration. The district has pledged no thru traffic on the street, which has a considerable number of children.
As traffic was discussed at this final planning meeting, Epperson wanted and received assurance that detail of closure would not arbitrarily change without re-entry into the approval phase.
Several district officials were able to attend the end of the planning session following a board meeting. Director Doug Carney is concluding his tenure on the board after 24 years, and choosing not to seek re-election. An architect by profession, Carney has seen the district through several major renovation projects as well as the construction of the awardwinning Springfield Literacy Center. He may be expected to leave the board with the master plan ready for the construction phase.
“I’m delighted that the project is now moving forward,” Carney said. “The district and regulatory authorities have been able to align our interests in a positive way to serve the community for the generations to come.”