Board
studies school plan
Montessori facility needs
variance.
Friday, May 06, 2005 • By ANDREA EILENBERGER •
The Express-Times
FRANKLIN TWP. -- Land use board members
are considering a preliminary plan that would redevelop the
site of a former auto body shop into a Montessori school for
young children.
If approved, the school would be the
closest one for residents in surrounding townships.
Currently, the two nearest schools are in Easton and Lebanon
Township.
Applicant Katrina Angeleri worked in the
public school district for several years and now hopes to
open and run the Montessori school on Route 57.
"I really do believe in the Montessori
approach," Angeleri said. "It is a scientific approach to
the upbringing of young children."
She plans to have about 20 students
between the ages of 3 and 6 in each classroom. She said
classroom setup is key in the Montessori method, and various
learning stations will be set up throughout the rooms for
students to interact with learning tools.
The plan, which will be continued at the
board's June 1 meeting, includes additions to the rear and
sides of the existing one-story building. If the additions
are approved, she will enroll up to 92 students. It will be
open from 7:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m.
Since the land is zoned for industrial
and commercial use, Angeleri needs a conditional-use
variance to operate as a school.
"The question is, does the site continue
to be an appropriate use for the planned facility without
being 10 acres," said township engineer Mike
Finelli.
The board would need to grant Angeleri a
variance from the 10-acre minimum requirement placed on
educational facilities, since the plan includes only one
acre.
First, the board must determine whether
it classifies as an educational use, township attorney
Richard Schneider.
"The planned use doesn't fit neatly into
the definition of an educational use, partly because of the
concept of a compulsory education," Schneider said. "A
3-year-old isn't required to go to school."
If the board decides that the school
doesn't match the definition of an educational use, it could
also consider whether it meets the definition of a child
care facility, Schneider said.
Angeleri's plan includes a speedy method
of child pick up and drop off where parents loop around the
lot but don't stop to park. Angeleri said she plans to allot
25 minutes each for drop off and pick up sessions, factoring
about 27 seconds per car. Parent arrival times will be
staggered, and staff members will be on hand to assist the
process, she said. Angeleri has experience with similar
methods at two different Montessori schools, and she said
she has seen it in action.
"I've been out there in the parking lot,
and it works," she said.
The plan also proposes a new entrance
vestibule where children can wait to be picked up, helping
to speed the process.
Board members questioned whether cars
would back up into Route 57 if the process took longer than
expected and said they would continue to discuss the issue
at the next hearing.
The board will also consider whether the
additions would infringe on surrounding properties,
including a residence to the east of the building and land
owned by the county to the right of it.
Reporter Andrea Eilenberger can be reached at
908-475-8044 or by e-mail at aeilenberger@express-times.com.
© 2005 The Express-Times. Used with
permission.
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