Nearly 12 hours into last Saturday’s City Council public hearing, the Alexandria School Board was given approval to proceed with the construction of a new T. C. Williams high school.
Most of the major issues had been resolved by the time the matters came to Council, but neighbors of the school still wanted to talk about traffic.
“We don’t believe that there is adequate cueing for the garage and we would like to see the school system consider moving the main entrance from Kenwood to Chinquapin,” said David Phillips, the treasurer of the Chapel Hill homeowners association.
“More than half of the 400 cars that will use the garage will arrive between ten to eight and five past eight in the morning and we believe that there will be backups onto King Street on a regular basis.”
Many members of Council sympathized with the neighbors’ point of view. “I want to assure the neighbors that we hear you and that we will continue to work with the school staff and with city staff to ensure that these issues are monitored and addressed,” said Mayor William D. Euille.
“If we need to have an additional traffic signal, then that is something that we can consider at a later time.”
Councilman Andrew Macdonald asked that students not park at Chinquapin. “I would hope that we would not use the park as additional parking but would require people to park in the garage,” he said. “Student parking is a privilege, not a right.”
While traffic management was not resolved to everyone’s satisfaction, there was general agreement to consider alternatives as the project progresses.
“As long as there is an understanding that we will continue to look at this, we don’t need to add it as a condition in the Special Use Permit,” said Councilman Rob Krupicka.
COUNCIL APPROVED an increase in the allowable height under the zoning code, an increase in the floor area ratio and a decrease in the setback requirement from King Street.
“The building is large and will come much closer to King Street than we had hoped,” said Barbara Ross, the deputy director of planning for the city. “However, we have worked diligently to articulate the building better so that it doesn’t look like a big box and I think we have done a very good job.”
City and school staff also worked with neighbors to reach an agreement as to the use of the stadium by both the school system and the city. Lighting on the site had also been a concern for neighbors and there is general agreement as to the placement of, and the type of lighting that will be used.
“The Planning Commission made the formation of two neighborhood committees part of the Special Use Permit,” Ross said. “One group of neighbors will work closely with the school and the recreation department during construction and another committee of neighbors will work with the schools on living together after the school is built.”
EUILLE ALSO described an additional committee that will be comprised of two members of Council, two School Board members and representatives from both city and school staff. “This group will meet regularly to discuss the progress of this project and to deal with issues as they arise,” he said.
“It is very important that this project be well managed,” said Councilman Ludwig Gaines.
Vice Mayor Redella S. “Del” Pepper had her own concerns. “I am concerned about the soil,” she said. “We don’t want another sinking building like the police station; been there, done that,” she said. “Also, I am concerned that we are losing most of that lovely front yard where students often hang out.”
In the end, the vote to approve the project was unanimous. “I would like to thank everyone who has worked so hard on this project,” said Rebecca L. Perry, the superintendent of schools. “A high school isn’t just a school. It’s a place where children become adults and a way of life. A high school is the most significant connection between people and their community and we look forward to working closely with all of you to make this a wonderful place.”
The school system must now submit a final site plan. Once that site plan has been approved, the city will issue building permits and the project can begin. The first work on the site is likely to occur some time this summer.