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Topic
Description:
The
applicant requests approval for a Special Exception
Amendment to allow for the construction of a new media
center and to convert the existing media center into four
(4) classrooms.
Project
Information:
On August
31, 2006, the Planning Commission held a public hearing on
this item and voted unanimously to forward it to the Board
of Supervisors with a recommendation of approval.
Cedar Lee Middle School was built in 1973, with an addition
in 1998. The existing building comprises 99,000 square
feet.
As proposed, the project would add 5,450 square feet for a
new media center. The media center, which would be
connected to the main building by a corridor approximately
10 feet wide by 40 feet long. Pedestrians would enter the
media center directly from a sidewalk connection to an
existing parking lot, or from the main school building. The
proposal also includes converting the existing media center
into four (4) classrooms.
Typical school operations are from 7:00 a.m. until
5:00 p.m. on weekdays, with events and community use
irregularly scheduled after hours. The existing enrollment
is 690 students, which represents the full capacity for the
existing building. The four classrooms to be added with
this project will increase student capacity by 100
students. There are 90 employees currently and, with the
proposed project, this number would increase by four.
The existing school is served by approximately 31 bus drop-offs and
100 parent drop-offs each morning, and the same numbers of
pick-ups each afternoon. Since the project would increase
student capacity by approximately 14%, it is expected to
generate approximately 35 bus and 114 parent drop‑offs and
pick-ups each day after the project is completed. If the
subject project is not constructed, transportable mobile
classrooms will be needed at the school to serve the
expected student growth, and the increase in student
enrollment and traffic impact will be the same as the impact
of constructing the subject project.
The existing building is one and two story rectilinear with
flat roof and brick façade. As planned, the one-story
addition will be an extension of the existing style
architecture and façade.
The Zoning Ordinance allows the school use by Special
Exception. According to the applicant, the proposed
expanded use of the subject property for a school will not
adversely affect uses of surrounding agricultural land or
residential properties. The school provides an important
amenity to the community by providing community and
recreational space, in addition to the school itself.
The site for the existing school is 32.5 acres, over 50% of
which is open space. Existing parking and utility
facilities are adequate for the existing school plus the
proposed new media center. No new signage is proposed
with the additions to the school. The existing signage will
remain and is consistent with County regulations. No
additional parking is included with the project.
According to the applicant’s Statement of Justification, the
proposed addition to Cedar Lee Middle School would provide
an updated media center for an improved educational
environment. The media center will be externally
aesthetically pleasing and will include abundant natural
light indoors; it will also be available as a meeting room
for public events. The additional four (4) classrooms which
will be constructed within the existing building envelope
are needed to accommodate expected student population
growth, and will provide a better educational environment.
The proposal will be more aesthetically pleasing than the
alternative, which would be additional transportable modular
classrooms. This new media center and additional classroom
space project will be an asset to the school division and
the community.
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