Politics & Government

On the Agenda: Tackling the New Elementary School Proposed in East Pikeland

Monday night, the planning commission in East Pikeland will take another look at the school district's proposal.

Monday may be the last time the Phoenixville Area School District lands on the East Pikeland Township planning commission agenda regarding the expansion of East Pikeland Elementary and the addition of a kindergarten center on the site.

At its last meeting, commission the commission may be ready to make a recommendation in February or March.

Schott said he’d like more clarification on open space preservation on the site as well as impervious coverage issues.

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“Short of that, I think it’s fair to expect that we would have a decision either next month or the month after,” Schott told district representatives and a crowded audience Jan. 10.

At the school board’s work session Feb. 10, Board Member Jan Potts said three outstanding issues will be addressed at Monday’s meeting. The district still has to tackle improvements to the intersection at Hares Hill and Seven Stars roads, along with issues with impervious coverage and storm water management on the site.

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“We are expecting to receive all approvals by this summer and begin construction in hopefully the late fall or early winter,” Potts said.

The potential East Pikeland Elementary School expansion will add extra capacity to the existing building. A 40-year-old addition will be demolished and a district-wide kindergarten center will be added to the existing use.

At past meetings, the topic has brought out supporters and critics of the project. Nearby residents expressed worries about traffic, loss of open space and more, while those in favor pointed to capacity issues at the elementary school and within the district.

As an advisory body, the planning commission can’t approve or deny the plan. Instead, the commission is tasked with coming up with a recommendation one way or the other for the zoning hearing board and the board of supervisors. The commission can also recommend conditions that should be placed on the plan.

The meeting will be held Monday, Feb. 14 at 7 p.m. in the East Pikeland Township Administration Building. 


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