NEW CASTLE —
The addition planned for the Harry W. Lockley Early Learning Center has passed another administrative hurdle.
The Lawrence County Planning Commission Tuesday reviewed the land development plan for the project with minor recommendations.
New Castle school district solicitor Charles Sapienza, with two architects from Eckles Co. — Nancy Roman and Cassandra Rettinger — designers of the project, explained a drawing of the plans and the timeline status.
The district plans to expand the elementary school from 38,000 to 95,000 square feet on about 26 acres, which will involve consolidation of three lots into one.
A portion of Ash Street is to be vacated.
Sapienza pointed out the lots cannot be consolidated until New Castle City Council approves vacating the street.
Roman explained a parent and visitor driveway will be created with its own entrance, and a separate bus and staff entrance will be opposite Elder Street.
Buses will exit onto East Main Street. The plan shows play areas for the children on two sides of the building.
According to Sapienza, the main entrance will be at the back of Scott Street.
The city planning commission and council have granted conditional uses and there are still two variances to be considered by city council — one for a higher fence than allowed and one for a larger sign than allowed.
Council is expected to consider those variances later this month, Sapienza said.
The district plans to have all approvals in place by the end of April and intends to advertise for bids for construction at that time, he continued.
The architects anticipate construction would start in early June.
Also Tuesday, the commission:
•Reviewed a land development plan for construction of a 2,596-square-foot warehouse addition to SpoMin Metals in Shenango Township. The building is 2,700 square feet.
According to the company’s website, SpoMin Metals is in the fabricated plate work (boiler shops) industry and has 10 to 20 employees and annual sales of $500,000 to $999,999.
The commission noted the applicant paid for only one lot and there are three. The county won’t sign it or record it until payment is received for all three lots.
•Reviewed with minor recommendations a land development plan for Verizon to put up a cellular phone communications tower in Mahoningtown. The property is in the vicinity of a hillside where the city and Taylor and Union townships come together.
The proposed tower will be 10 feet tall with a nine-foot lightning rod. An 11.6-by-30-foot equipment shelter is to be built in the compound area.
The company is leasing 100 square feet of ground for the venture from Scott A. Herman. Access is off Matilda Avenue. The property is in a low-density residential zone.
(Email: dmorris@ncnewsonline.com)
New Castle
Lockley addition passes another hurdle
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