Borough Zoners Approve St Rose School Expansion Project

By Andrew Gorosko

The Borough Zoning Commission has approved St Rose Church’s proposal for an expansion and modernization of St Rose School and related facilities at the church campus on Church Hill Road, which is within the borough.

Following an October 10 public hearing, the borough zoners unanimously approved the project, granting the church both a site development plan approval and also a special permit for the project at 40 Church Hill Road.

The church is expected to start site development work in November, with the goal of completing the project by September 2008.

At the hearing, Borough Zoning Commission members reviewed letters from local government agencies concerning various aspects of the school expansion project.

Attorney James Strub, representing the church, told commission members that the church has responded to the various issues that were raised in seeking to resolve developmental questions about the project.

A new building enclosing more than 13,000 square feet of space would be constructed.

The project would include creation of an additional classroom-meeting room, new offices for school officials, a faculty room and an instructional science facility. Also planned are a gathering hall with kitchen facilities, a gymnasium, a stage, a multimedia center including church and school libraries, computer facilities, storage space, and restrooms. An atrium is also planned. Landscaping improvements would be made.

The new construction would visually complement the existing school architecture through the use of similar building materials. Large windows would provide natural light, as well as views of the parish grounds.

The existing approximately 8,000-square-foot St Patrick’s Hall would be demolished as part of the project. A formal school bus drop-off and pick-up point would be added at the site. New water, natural gas, electricity and sanitary sewer utilities would be added at the property. An existing soccer field on the site would be repositioned. Approximately 7,000 cubic yards of earthen filling would be done at the site.

The 14-acre church campus currently has approximately 275 designated parking spaces. The project would reconfigure parking there, bringing the number of designated spaces up to 332.

The church’s parking lot would be illuminated by a series of 14-foot-tall lighting fixtures whose light would be directed downward. No new light posts would be installed alongside Church Hill Road. New outdoor lighting would meet the Dark Sky standards intended to limit light pollution and glare.

Mr Strub has said that the church has no plans to increase its student enrollment in conjunction with the school expansion project.

The Reverend Robert Weiss of St Rose Church said the school has an enrollment of 411 students and needs additional space. “We’re in desperate need of space. We’re out of space,” he said.

The parish has approximately 3,300 member families, reflecting a membership of approximately 12,000 people, he said.

The school expansion project would enhance the appearance of Church Hill Road, Father Weiss said.

The priest urged that the borough zoners endorse the expansion project, adding that the improved facilities would enhance the town at large.

At the public hearing, Tom Johnson, an owner of Lexington Gardens at 32 Church Hill Road, raised several questions about stormwater drainage along the edge of the church property.

Following the hearing, the borough zoners reviewed their regulatory checklists in gauging whether the church’s application meets the requirements of the borough zoning regulations.

Among those considerations, commission members decided that the planned construction is in visual harmony with the neighborhood; is consistent with applicable zoning regulations; does not damage property values; will not create traffic hazards, and poses no health hazards.

The commission additionally decided that the project poses no safety hazards; the terrain would be conserved in the context of the planned development; the project would minimize the creation of any excessive light and noise; and the planned driveways are suitable for the project, among other considerations.