Cedar Crest Academy may build a new multipurpose center, if the Springfield Township private school can make the grade in several areas.
Township trustees on Thursday, May 8 approved a final site plan for the building, but only after a critique of items such as trees, parking and wetlands vegetation.
School director Betty Moen said the building will enhance programs at the campus, which serves about 200 children from ‘junior kindergarten? through eighth grade at the academy and another 90 at the adjacent early childhood center.
‘One purpose is [for the gymnasium] to provide physical education and fitness for a lifetime,? Moen said, and two studios in the building will provide for ‘the musical and artistic understanding that we so value at Cedar Crest.?
Although the applicant had already appeared before the township Planning Commission, trustees offered their own questions and suggestions.
Supervisor Collin Walls questioned why two existing pine trees were targeted for removal. Although the plan included replacement with a honey locust tree. Walls argued for keeping as many existing trees as possible, even though one looked ‘deformed.?
‘The older I get, the more I like it,? Walls said.
Architect Jeremy Ervin said the plan was adapted based on planning commission recommendations, but he voiced a willingness to rework the plan to Walls? liking.
Walls also criticized current parking practices at the school. While township ordinance requires paved parking except for overflow situations, school staff allegedly had been parking in a gravel lot closer to the building and leaving a paved lot empty. Trustee David Hopper said he was witnessed as many as five vehicles parked in a fire lane.
School officials said it is difficult to get staff to park farther from the building, so Walls offered a solution.
‘The easiest way to cure it is to put up a fence [around the overflow lot],? Walls said. ‘Just find a way to so we don’t have to cite you for violation of the site plan.?
Hopper said, ‘Don’t even bring the plan back unless you show parking on the lower lot? near the early childhood center. ‘Basically, it comes down to we have a problem with your parking.?
Clerk Nancy Strole said there is a question of whether the school has the required 20-foot ‘vegetative buffer? from a retaining pond on the campus. Ervin said township engineers and planners referred only to a ‘greenbelt,? but no specifics as to the type of vegetation required.
‘These are requirements in our ordinance,? Strole said. ‘There are reasons for it.?
Walls and Ervin also clashed on a fence proposed to end at a set of decorative boulders. Walls said the fence should also surround the boulders, but Ervin said that would be an eyesore and an unnecessary precaution.
‘In my opinion, you have to have all 50 feet of fence or not get your plan approved,? Walls said.
If all goes as planned, the 5,400-square-foot building will be completed by September, Moen said.