The Harbor School’s plans to renovate a facility on Newbridge Road was dealt another setback when a group of residents appealed a recent Circuit Court Decision in late August.
“It goes to the Court of Special Appeals in Annapolis,” said Norman Knopf, attorney for the residents.
The site was occupied by The German School until June of 1999.
In January of 2001, the Harbor School applied for a special exception to be allowed to operate a school in a residential neighborhood.
In April of 2002, the Board of Appeals approved the school’s application, limiting the number of dismissals to 80 students per hour, and maximum enrollment to 220 students.
Residents filed an appeal, which was heard in court in November of 2002. The decision was released on July 25 of this year.
In addition to upholding the Special Exception, Circuit Court Judge Michael Mason increased the number of dismissals to 100 students per hour and the maximum enrollment to 250 students.
Planners don’t think the numbers will pose a substantial problem for the neighborhood. Marie Howland, a Potomac resident, and professor of urban planning at the University of Maryland, College Park pointed to the large, public schools such as Churchill or Cabin John which are in residential neighborhoods. “Students flood in in the morning and out in the evening and there are no major problems,” she said.
Howland predicts that if the school is allowed to open, residents will find that the situation will not be as bad as they expect.
The school is still optimistic that they will be able to move forward. “The Harbor School remains excited about our construction plans for the new school,” said Linda Perry, head of school. “We look forward to getting to know our new neighbors and working closely with them during the planning phase.”
The plans will not be likely to advance soon, however. “If a Special Exception is under litigation, they’re not supposed to get a building permit,” Knopf said.
Knopf expects oral arguments to be heard sometime in the spring. After arguments, there is no deadline for when the Court must issue its decision.