New sites considered for charter school

PROVO (AP) — Developers of a proposed charter school in Alpine are looking at other sites after running into strong neighborhood opposition at the first two proposed locations.

Mountainville Academy is considering property on Main Street east of the Dry Creek bridge, said Ted Stillman, city administrator. A location on Healey Boulevard also is still being considered, he said.

"As soon as they have site plans and traffic studies, they will request a Planning Commission meeting," Stillman said.

Mountainville board member Gaylee Coverston confirmed that the third site is being considered.

Residents near the first proposed location complained the school would cause traffic congestion. The Planning Commission denied the site plan on April 4, but the City Council overruled the commission and approved the plan April 11. However, the city encourage the school's founders to look for a new location.

The developers then began pursuing property on Healey Boulevard, but residents there objected to that site, citing traffic concerns.

Alpine residents have gathered hundreds of signatures on a petition demanding the state Charter School Board rescind the school's charter.

The petitioners allege that Reps. Jim Ferrin, R-Orem, and Mike Morley, R-Spanish Fork, have abused their power and have "ethical conflicts of interest" associated with the school.

They say some Alpine officials also have conflicts.

Morley and Ferrin are involved with the company building the school, and the wives of Mayor Hunt Willoughby and Councilman Thomas Whitchurch are involved in efforts to organize the school.