Measure would aid charter schools

The state's School Building Legislative Task Force is currently working on a bill that would put charter schools on par with local school districts when it comes to development regulations.

The proposed bill would exempt charter schools from regulations concerning conditional use, site plans and land use regulations.

Essentially, the bill just adds the words "and charter schools" to municipal-code language that exempts school districts from those certain regulations, said committee co-chairman Rep. Jim Ferrin, R-Orem.

When it was drafted in the 1990s, charters hadn't made a big appearance. But as charter schools grow and start building their own facilities, it only makes sense to put them on the same footing as the school districts, said Ferrin.

Charter schools, just like regular school districts, would be required to meet with the local building authorities and communicate with them, hear their needs and cooperate with them in the construction of any building. They would be treated the same from a planning and zoning standpoint.

The task force will allow organizations like the Utah League of Cities and Towns to comment on the proposed bill in the next few weeks.

"This bill doesn't try to compromise in the middle," said committee co-chairman Sen. Howard Stephenson, R-Draper.