Politics & Government
Planning Board Hears Testimony on School Plan
St. Elizabeth's School wants to build a new parking lot and make temporary classrooms permanent.
The Parsipanny Board of Planning began hearing testimony at its Monday meeting for a two-phase application by the Franciscan Sisters of St. Elizabeth to begin construction at St. Elizabeth School on Park Road.
While the Franciscan Sisters came to the board with a number of requests, Chairman Kaushik Parikh adjourned the hearing just after 9:40 p.m. and scheduled it to resume at the Sept. 12 meeting. Residents will have a chance to voice concerns about the proposed lot at the conclusion of that meeting.
Attorney Bill Strasser approached the board with applications to build a new parking lot, as well as to convert the current temporary classrooms at the school, which were installed in 2000, into permanent structures. The classrooms have all been renovated and feature fully functioning heat and plumbing. They've been used regularly since 2007.
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With the current enrollment of 335 students and an anticipated growth of around 100 more, he said, the proposed parking lot is needed to help the school regulate traffic patterns and flow.
“The sole reason for coming before the board and asking for additional parking is because we have to have the safety situation corrected on site,” Strasser explained. “We have all of our children getting dropped off by parents on a daily basis. Sister Cathy [Lynn Cummings] will testify, it is total havoc out there. She plays traffic cop every morning.”
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Strasser explained that the plans are designed to take people off of Park Road and allow them to park on site and maintain a consistent flow of traffic and circulation.
Sister Cummings, St. Elizabeth's principal, spoke about the need for a new lot.
“I want to rearrange the [flow of traffic] for the safety of the children,” she explained. “And to get the cars right off of Park Road and onto our property because when the cars come in, they make a sharp left turn," which she said causes delays.
“Everybody’s in a rush to get to work in the morning and these little children are coming in very stressed out,” she continued. “If we can get more people to park and then get out, it would be to our advantage for the children.”
Bruce Riggs, a licensed engineer, land surveyor and planner, showed designs to the board and explained that the new design of the parking lot and driveway would increase traffic flow and lessen congestion. Riggs also added that the lot will be suited to accommodate emergency traffic vehicles.
Another benefit to expanding the parking lot, Cummings explained, is that it will double as a play area for the students.
“I want a hardtop playground [where], when all of the cars are gone during the day, the children can [play],” she said. “Especially during the winter-- we can clear the snow and they can play.”
The second phase of the application includes the possible enlargement of the school, but Strasser explained that the priority is the parking lot and that his clients would approach the board at a different time if they decide to explore expanding the building.
Riggs also explained that the plans for the renovated parking lot are designed specifically for an addition.
Residents anticipated being able to approach the board on Monday with questions and concerns, but because testimony was ongoing, all comments were postponed.
The Planning Board next meets Aug. 15 at 7:30 p.m.