AG 2005 03 21 - Laserfiche WebLink

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MEMO TO: FROM: SUBJECT: DATE: NICOLE:R.STORY, AlCP ROBERT KLUTTZ WELLINGTON CHASE REVIEW FEBRUARY 2, 2005 We have completed our review of the preliminary subdivision plat for Wellington Chase. It is our understanding that this proposed subdivision is located on NC Highway 73 with a connection to Odell School Road. This proposed subdivision has 292 lots and upon its completion approximately 175 students will be added to the schools serving this area. Those schools are W. R.Odell Elementary School, Harris Road Middle School, and Northwest Cabarrus High School. W. R. Odell is scheduled to be replaced on a site off Harris Road adjacent to Moss Creek. While we will gain some additional seats upon completion ofthe new school, it is expected to reach capacity from the Moss Creek Subdivision. As we review the impact ofthe proposed Wellington Chase Subdivision, we are also reviewing four additional proposed subdivisions on Poplar Tent Road and in an area between Shiloh Church Road and Jim Johnson Roads that are in the W. R. Odell attendance area. The potential growth generated by these proposed subdivisions is not included in our Fifteen-Year Facility Plan. The two new elementary schools to be built on the western side of the county with the recently approved bond are for growth from already approved lots. If these additional subdivisions (Pelhem Pointe -116 lots, Waterford on the Rocky River - 263 lots, Crystal Creek - 398 lots and Poplar Ridge- 205 lots) are approved we will not have space to.accornmodate this new growth. rt ~ it" 'l :\ . We have a similar situation with the middle and high schools serving this area. While Harris Road Middle School and Northwest Cabarrus High School currently have some available seats we expect them to exceed capacity within two years. Hopefully, with the opening of the new high school in 2007 or 2008 southeast of Harrisburg we will be able to shift some students from Northwest Cabarrus to Jay M. Robinson. Plans for a new middle school that could relieve Harris Road and Northwest Cabarrus Middle School are further out in the Fifteen-Year Facility Plan. Another issue of grave concern is the additional traffic that will be generated by new growth in this area. Stuclent ride time on school buses is already impacted by the volume of traffic on the roads serving this part of the county. Road improvements and other infrastructure issues should be addressed before consideration is given to new subdivision approval in the Poplar Tent Road and Davidson Highway areas. In summary, the schools .beingplanned for the west side of the county are for projected growth from already approved lots, not new subdivisions. The opening ofthese schools is two or three years out depending on land acquisition and construction schedules. In any event it is obvious that we will be operating in extremely overcrowded conditions for several years. Thanks for extending to us the opportunity to make cornments concerning the impact of new growth on our schools. C~4