The Bristol Township Zoning Board tied vote on the township school system’s submitted plans for a new 1,300-student building proposed for the Lafayette Elementary School site on Fayette Drive drew a muffled gasp from several audience members Monday evening.
The 2-2 vote means the plan was effectively. A tied vote is relatively unheard of.
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Superintendent Dr. Samuel Lee said after the meeting that the district will appeal the decision.
School Board President Angela Nober said she was “surprised” the plan was reject and added that the district will see what to do next.
“This seemed like it was the least invasive plan,” Nober said after the meeting.
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A variety of reasons and concerns lead to the tie vote, a zoning board official said.
The district requested variances similar to those asked for and approved in July for the James Buchanan Elementary School on Haines Road and Ralph Waldo Emerson Elementary School on Mill Creek Road in Levittown. Project Solicitor Tim Duffy laid out requests for variances on signage, exceeding the impervious space ordinance by 5 percent, building height, buffers and set backs.
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The Zoning Board denied an application for the Mary Devine Elementary School site because the plan used part of the 22-acre site’s designated floodplain back in July. The Lafayette site was the second choice.
The zoners will provide the district a written report on their decision in the 45 days, officials said. A report on why the Devine plans were denied will be released to the district late next week. Lee said last week that officials will review the report and see if anything can be done to utilize that site and whether it makes sense for the district to appeal it.
The public comment session was lengthy at Monday evening’s meeting. Many residents spoke and questioned issues that were out of the Zoning Board’s jurisdiction. One man spoke for more than 35 minutes. During one man’s time at the podium, Solicitor Karen Quinn asked him to “get to the point.”
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The new school is part of the estimated $152.6 million district-wide facilities overhaul would close nine elementary schools and have three 1,300-students buildings constructed in their place. Franklin D. Roosevelt Middle School would close, while Neil A. Armstrong Middle School and the former Benjamin Franklin School, currently home to the district administrative staff, would be renovated for middle school students. Harry S. Truman High School would not see any major work done. Clara Barton Elementary School would be re-purposed into the administration and maintenance building.
The Lee said that district is expected receive a formal written decision on why the Devine site was not approved by the end of August. He said officials will review it and see if anything can be done to utilize that site and whether it makes sense for the district to appeal it.
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