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08/15/2017 12:00 AMA proposal by a non-profit organization to build a new, independent school called the Slate School at 124 Mansfield Road in North Haven drew a large group of residents to hear a presentation by school representatives during the Planning & Zoning Commission (PZC) meeting on Aug. 7.
The meeting ran about four hours, and the PZC stated the meeting needed to be over by 11 p.m. Those in favor of the project were able to voice their support during the public comment portion of the meeting, so those with concerns or who were opposed to the project will have to wait to speak when the hearing is continued on Monday, Sept. 11.
The Slate School, which says on its website that it will be “an incubator of best practices in education,” is seeking a special permit to build the school in a residential R-40 zone. Slate School attorney Timothy Lee said schools are allowed in that zone subject to a special permit from the commission which the school is seeking. He said he believes all the criteria for the permit has been met.
According to town zoning regulations, the PZC can approve a permit for a non-profit school in the zone after “giving consideration to the effect of the proposed use on present and future dwellings in the vicinity, to the proposed site planning and landscaping, to the conditions affecting traffic safety, to the provisions for off-street parking, and to other standards provided in these regulations.”
Jennifer Staple Clark, one of the school’s founders, said Slate School will be a small, nature-based elementary school, with grade levels from kindergarten through 6th grade. The school is a non-profit organization and would be chartered as an independent school, meaning it’s not subject to Common Core standards.
Clark said that students will learn the same skills that students in a public school would, but with a different approach. The school’s website (slateschool.org) states, for instance, “All math concepts are explored through hands-on activities, and especially through the use of blocks and building.”
If the permit is approved, the school intends to build six buildings total—four classroom buildings; one building for science, arts, and crafts; and one building for administration and a library. The school aims to start with 20 students in kindergarten and 1st grade, and plans for a total enrollment of about 70 students in 2023.
Clark said there are no schools in the vicinity that provide nature-based education. Paolo Campos, an architect for the project, said that a goal is to decrease absenteeism by providing a healthy environment, noting that all materials used are free of allergens. The school won’t use any synthetic pesticides or fertilizers on the property.
Campos said the school is also aiming for LEED Platinum status, and said the school will be the first LEED certified building in North Haven.
LEED, which stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, was developed by the U.S. Green Building Council to encourage project teams to develop buildings that are resource efficient. LEED certified buildings use less water and energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Consultant Jason Williams said that with the way the lighting was structured, there wouldn’t be any light intrusion off of the site onto other properties.
In addition to the design team, several other experts were present at the meeting to address potential concerns. Clark said she had reached out to many homes in the area, and had one-on-one meetings and phone calls with residents to discuss the project and any potential concerns.
One concern was the added traffic the school may cause. Two traffic consultants from different firms were hired to do a traffic report; both concluded that the school wouldn’t have an adverse effect on traffic in the area.
Another concern was that property values may be affected. Bruce Hunter, a licensed real estate appraiser, concluded that, with the data he had collected, the school would not adversely affect property values of nearby homes.
The property the school is located on is 24.16 acres, according to Lee. Of that, Clark said that 23 acres of the property will be preserved as open space at no cost to taxpayers, and said residents would be able to use it if they desired.
However, PZC member James Giulietti raised a concern that there was nothing binding in place, such as a conservation easement, that would prevent future development on the property. His comments were met with applause by some in attendance.
Clark said after the meeting that the team is reviewing how to best provide the commission with use restrictions that are compatible with the proposed operation of the school, and will have a further response when the hearing resumes in September.
Town Engineer Jonathan Bodwell said after the meeting that about eight acres of the property are wetlands. He said it’s very difficult to get a permit in wetland areas and anyone applying for one would need a “strong case” to get it.
Several residents had a chance speak in support of the project at the meeting. Some of the comments included support of the open space and environmental aspect, the school being a new alternative to public schools, and the environmentally friendly products would be a benefit to children with allergies.
Because the PZC opened the public comments first to those speaking in support of the proposal and closed the meeting at 11 p.m., most in attendance who weren’t in favor of the application were unable to speak, though a couple of residents voiced concerns. One resident questioned whether the traffic studies took into account Quinnipiac University, which is nearby, as well road conditions in inclement weather. Another said that North Haven is known for having a good public school system, and questioned if another school was needed with a good system in place.