More Questions Answered

+ Will land on the school’s new site be leveled?

The site will be selectively cleared as needed to create a building pad, parking lots and stormwater basins as shown on preliminary plans. Within the current site plan, approximately 9.5 acres of existing trees will be preserved along the rear and west sides of the combined property. The District, along with our design and construction teams, is dedicated to saving existing trees wherever possible.

+ What will happen with the remaining land not used for the building/parking? Will this project reduce green space in Edgmont Township?

After construction is completed, the site will feature more green space and less impervious surface than a “typical” commercial or residential development on the same site. Much of the land not built upon will remain untouched and be used as outdoor classroom spaces where students can directly learn from and explore their natural environment. Other areas will be turned into green fields for physical education, as well as space for stormwater retention which can couple as a rain garden. The design team is making every effort possible to maintain the surrounding natural environment of the site.

+ Will wildlife on the site be affected by the clearing of the land?

As with the construction of any home, apartment, or commercial building, wildlife may indeed be temporarily affected. Partial clearing of existing brush will be required to make room for the school’s footprint and parking lot, the intent is to retain as much of the existing vegetation and wooded areas as possible.

+ Will the school lead to increased urbanization in Edgmont?

The need for an additional elementary school is a response to development that has been ongoing in Edgmont Township for several years, which has contributed to our growing enrollment. As the area continues to grow, our District has a responsibility to fulfill our mutual obligation to educate its children.

Different from how developers would purchase and use the land for new housing developments, the District will make every effort to preserve heavily wooded areas to the north and west of the new site. The design of the school will use materials and colors to complement the existing buildings in Edgmont Township.

+ Will the school increase noise or light pollution?

During construction, there may be temporary noise from machinery and vehicles working on site. Once construction is completed, noise will be limited to student voices from gym classes and recess and intermittent vehicle traffic during student drop-off and pick-up (around 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.)

Light pollution will be negligible. There will not be any lighting installed at athletic fields; and the building and parking lot lights will be limited to downward-directed fixtures for safety and security during the evenings. Lighting calculations will be completed to ensure that lighting from the selected fixtures at the property boundaries of the school will be minimal to zero. That being said, the lighting source (building and parking lot lights) may be visible from the road or adjacent properties. Screening from natural vegetation on site (existing and planted) will also help obscure visibility.

+ Will there be a visual/acoustic barrier between the school and surrounding properties?

Yes. A barrier will be incorporated into the final plan in conjunction with the Township’s ordinances. The school will be set back from the road, and additional measures will be taken to minimize the visual and acoustic impact of the school, including maintaining a large portion of the wooded area surrounding the site.

+ How does the District propose to handle driveway easements?

The District would propose to work within the right of way of the existing easements, but PA-DOT has the final say on how the final plan would look.

+ What will become of the zoning for the church land?

The District is seeking a single-use exception, not a zoning change.

+ Will the school have a septic system or be tied into the existing sewer system?

The District has designed the new school with an on-site sewer system as there is currently no public sewer access to the site. The Township has asked that the District also explore the feasibility of tying into the public sewer system which is currently over three miles from the site. The District and its project team are currently exploring the cost of both options and will make a decision after further evaluation.

+ Will drilling for the school’s ground source heat pump affect the area’s aquifer?

No. The planned system will operate on a closed-loop, so it should not have any impact on drinking water. All proposed drilling and geothermal work will be done in accordance with federal EPA and PA State Department of Environmental Protection regulations. Water will not be removed or added to the aquifer.

+ What will happen if something of historical significance is found while excavating the church on the site’s property?

If something of historical significance is found underneath the church or in the ground, the District will contact an archaeologist or other expert for assistance. All appropriate parties would be contacted to determine next steps.

+ Why didn’t the District select one of the other possible sites?

23 sites were evaluated based on an extensive list of criteria. A number of sites were eliminated from consideration due to their cost, the willingness of the owner to sell or their proximity to pipelines. The proposed location in Edgmont Township was selected as the site that best met the District’s list of criteria. More information about how the site was selected is located on our website here.

Among the various factors considered during the site selection were:

• Cost
• Willingness of the owner to sell
• Size/shape of property
• Proximity of the property to student populations, primarily young students
• Proximity to existing schools
• Environmental limitations (on-site wetlands, streams, etc.)
• Available utilities
• Stormwater management capabilities
• Estimated traffic impact
• Proximity to pipelines and other infrastructure Topography of site

Out of respect for the privacy of the property owners, the District is not sharing the names of property owners of these sites.

+ Was a real estate agent hired during the search for a site?

Yes. The District worked with The Henderson Group, Inc. a local Media, PA office.

+ Why isn’t the District just expanding our existing schools?

The District considered five different options to address our increased elementary enrollment growth, including building additions to our existing schools and building a school on land already owned by the District. Ultimately, the District decided the best option for the community, our students and our critical facility needs was building a new elementary school. You can learn more about the process here.