How Should SPUSD's Parking Lot be Developed?

officials held a special meeting Jan. 23 in which neighbors of the district offices could express concerns reagarding the parking lot development.

While a committee was created last year by Superintendent Joel Shapiro—filled with community members from  PTA, Historic Society, etc.—those living in close proximity to the project insisted their voices be heard.

There are currently three RFPs on the table; two include commercial/ residential properties and one proposes a , which would comprise of an indoor pool and underground parking garage.

Here's what those who showed at the meeting had to say, according to community member Sheila Rossi. 

• Proximity: Neighbors should be defined by the residents residing on Windsor, Fairview, Diamond, Meridian between Monterey and Hope Street (including Oxley and El Centro).
• Stakeholders: They'd like to be seen as stakeholders in the process and would like to be included in any decision-making/committee process in the future.
• Parking and Traffic Flow: They'd like to ensure there is plenty of parking to accommodate the increase in population and/or visitors/customers. The devlopment should ensure that traffic does not spill onto residential streets. 
• Project Density: Neighbors would prefer a lower density project than a high-density project. If not the YMCA, then townhomes and not one to two bedroom units.
• Open Space: They would like to maintain open community spaces, particularly with the large influx of visitors that come to visit the and .
• Population Control: District would need to address enrollment and overflow situations at that prevent neighborhood kids from attending their neighborhood school.
• Efficiency: They have concerns that the appraisal process needs to be done diligently and accurately. 

Interested in voicing your opinion, too?

"The best way for people to be involved is to attend any board meeting when this is being discussed," said Superintendent Joel Shapiro.

"We want to give equal opportunity to anybody who has an interest in this project. We want information to be available to everybody. It's very difficult to define neighbors in a way that is fair to everybody."

Related: 

SPUSD Considers Development of Parking Lot

School Board Candidates Talk Parking Lot Development

Patch Asks: What are your concerns regarding development of the SPUSD lot? Take our Patch poll, and share your thoughts in the comments section below.

Correction: An earlier version of this article said the YMCA has intentions of building a second location in South Pas. That is inaccurate. Patch regrets the error.