Below is a draft synopsis of what was discussed at the Nov. 4th Design Advisory Committee meeting for the re-opening of the Arcola Elementary School. For those who attended the Nov. 4th meeting: if anything major discussed was left out, please let me know.
If you have any concerns or comments about the re-opening of Arcola Elementary School that you would like addressed at these meetings, but you are unable to attend, please e-mail your concerns to Leah Haygood at lvhaygood@earthlink.net.
You can see that the major items we are currently addressing are parking, the pending traffic study, the building elevation/appearance, the stormwater run-off, and the landscaping plans. As many of you may already know, it looks like the existing school will be razed and replaced with a new school.
Synopsis of the November 4th Design Advisory Committee (DAC) meeting at Kemp Mill Elementary School.
For the new members of the DAC, Keith Leonard from the Lukmire Partnership (Architectural firm) opened the meeting by reviewing the building options they considered in coming up with the final recommendations. Joe Derosa, the MCPS Project Manager was also present answering questions. Keith then address the three major concerns that were raised at the previous DAC meeting:
Keith also addressed the landscaping briefly. He indicated that the Architectural team was planning to keep the corner of Franwall and Channing a landscaped open area. The Landscape Development, however, has not started (the plans are currently at Conceptual Development).
The community representatives noted that they were concerned about the trees on the site, and that not all the trees on the site were being shown site plan. The current site plan shows seven trees being removed. Keith and Joe indicated that they would re-survey the area to make sure all the trees were being shown on the site plan.
The community representatives also noted that it was our understanding that the trees under the power lines on Channing are being removed. The landscape plans should not assume that these trees will be around in 2006. We requested that MCPS coordinate with Department of Public Works and Transportation in determining the future of these trees. If the trees are in fact being removed, the landscape plans need to account for this.
We also want MCPS to consider planting a new row of trees along Channing on school property if there were no plans to re-plant the trees under the power lines. We also indicted that we were interested in providing trees between the school and playground to provide a sound buffer. We indicated that the landscaping issues were important to the community and that when the landscaping development phase starts, we want to make sure that the community has some input/review.
Other issues discussed included the stormwater issue. We re-iterated that we would like to see a comprehensive solution to the stormwater problem from the school lot and the adjacent ball field (total of ten acres). We would like to see MCPS take the lead in inviting the Park and Planning to discuss measures they might take to correct the stormwater-run off on the ball fields. Joe Derosa indicated that he was arranging this meeting and that the community would be invited to participate.
The traffic study was briefly mentioned. Joe indicated that the traffic study is scheduled for 2004. Additional information on the traffic study dates will be forthcoming to the community.
Building safety, egress, and security were also briefly addressed. The meeting ended with a discussion of the proposed elevations of the school. Keith presented three proposed elevations. The main difference was the roof-lines. The first option was a standard flat roof, the second option was a standing seam sloped roof. The third option was a roof with a clerestory structure. The community representatives all strongly favored the third option. This option could provide daylighting in the upper floor classrooms. The roof height would also be significantly lower than the sloped standing roof (Option 2). The flat roof (Option 1) is not in character with the community and appears institutional. The façade would be brick with slight variation in colors.