Gates High School - Response by the Executive Director

(Prior posts on the subject Learning Gate new High School update, and  Learning Gate Community School Apparently Plans for High School at US 41 and Sunset)


I emailed Learning Gate / Gates High School asking sharing concerns about the traffic.  I received the following excerpted reply from Patti Girard - Executive Director:

"We have been working with the residents that are adjacent to the property and have been working out many issues.  Traffic being the main one. . . . . As it stands right now the primary entrance and exit of the school will be off of 41.  The traffic studies that we have done shows a high volume of cars between the hours of 7:00 am and 8:15.  The road off of Sunset will be used by only the staff, deliveries, emergency vehicles and possibly 12th grade students who drive.   The total amount of students will be 1,000 but that growth will happen over 10 years. See attachment.(editors note 10 Year Growth Projection -  see below)    So the first year we are on the property the maximum number of students who might drive is 25 if we assume all 11th graders can and will drive..  (WE require our students to carpool).  The following year those 11th graders will be in 12th grade.again max. 25.  We have agreed to put in a right deceleration lane at Sunset and 41 as well as a left turn lane at  Sunset.   We are staggering starting and dismissal times in order to help with the traffic load.  The DOT has approved the following times.

12th grade-8:15-3:45
10th and 11th grade-8:30-4:00
8th and 9th grade-8:45-4:15
6th and 7th grade 9:00-4:30.

We have explored the option of fixing the intersection at Sunset and 41 but our hands are tied because of the lack of easements.  Only the county can come in and take what it needs in order to improve the intersection.

I have also attached a draft site plan (editors note Conceptual Site Plan - see below).  You will notice that our structures are small and spaced out to avoid impact of the environment.. . . . "

Attachments

10 Year Projection 6-12


Conceptual Site Plan 1-20-12