Alpine planners reject charter school site

Commissioner cites flooding concerns after busy hearing

ALPINE — After listening to the heated debate involving some 200 residents attending the public hearing, Alpine planning commissioners voted unanimously not to approve a proposed site for Mountainville Academy Tuesday night.

Both residents and nonresidents filled the auditorium at Timberline Middle School to present lists of petitions for and against the proposed site — a seven-acre plot located near 100 South and 360 East. Some residents became emotional — and angry — as they talked about the hazards increased traffic flow through the area would bring their children, among other concerns. Other members of the audience were equally emotional about the need for the school and the benefit it would provide to children in the area.

"We are not rejecting the charter school, only the location where the school has been submitted," said Alpine planning commissioner Lincoln Watkins.

Watkins said he opposed construction of the building on the site because of flooding concerns. The area lies in a flood plain that has previously been affected and is a hazard, Watkins said.

"I feel sorry for the supporters of the charter school," Watkins said. "I don't understand how a charter school can propose this. . . . It doesn't matter if you like charter schools or not, I just don't think that the law has been complied with on this particular site."

Though there has been some misunderstanding between supporters of the charter school and local residents as to whether or not the school has already been approved for construction, it was made clear that the future of the building is still to be determined. However, if approval is ultimately denied by the City Council — which has the final say in all zoning matters — an appeal will be made to overturn the decision, said Linda Seeley, a member of Mountainville Academy's board of trustees.

Enrollment for the charter school has already begun, with the intention that the school will open in the fall of 2006. A down payment has also already been made on the intended parcel of land.

"We want to work with them (neighbors)," said Cynthi Chesler, a founding parent for the school. "We want to make it right. We want to make it the best it can be."

The Planning Commission's recommendation on the controversial issue will be presented to the City Council for a decision on April 11.

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E-mail: achoate@desnews.com

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