The plans propose removal of the existing Administrations and classrooms building, the cafeteria and classrooms building, and nine mobile classroom units. A new two-story building housing administrations, the lunchroom, and 26 classrooms would replace the existing buildings. The plans further propose the remodeling of the interior of the gym, a redesign of the north entrance into the gym to provide for handicap access, and the installation of a new standing seam metal roof. The existing media center would be retained. Five new outdoor play areas, each designed for a specific age group ranging between Pre-K to grades 3 through 5, would be provided at certain locations south of the classroom building and between the gym and classroom building. The existing paved multi-purpose area in front of the gym would be replaced with parking accessed from East Johnson Street. The existing parking area located south of the gym would be reconfigured to provide a bus drop-off loop and new parking. The plans also propose to eliminate Ferrell Street as a through street connecting Boyd Street to East Johnson Street. The intersection of Boyd Street and Ferrell Street would be redesigned into a cul-de-sac configuration.

In order for the site to function as proposed, reductions to perimeter buffers and streetscapes would be required. The plans propose to reduce the western and southern 40' buffers to 30' buffers; reduce the 30' streetscape along Ferrell Street to a 10' streetscape, and reduce the 30' streetscape along East Johnson Street to a 12.5' streetscape.

The proposed renovation would add 15 classrooms to the campus, for a total of 26 classrooms and one Pre-K classroom. This would increase the annual Campus capacity of the Kingswood Elementary School from its current 241 students to 385 students. The actual 2002-03 20^th day enrollment was 329 students with existing teaching spaces consisting of 11 classrooms, one Pre-K classroom and nine mobile classroom units.

Overlay District: N/A

Land Use Compliance: The Land Use Plan calls for office and institutional uses.

The plans propose to save the existing forest area located in the southern and eastern buffer areas and to supplement the buffers where necessary in order to create an opaque screen. An opaque screen would also be planted along the western property line. The streetscape area along East Johnson Street and Boyd Street would be planted to Cary's streetscape standards. Building foundation plantings are also proposed, and all vehicular use area would be screened from off-site views. Ornamental trees and upper story trees would be dispersed throughout the school campus.

The Kingswood Elementary School site is located in an established neighborhood and is surrounded by existing development. There is no room for expansion beyond the existing boundaries of the site. Therefore, staff feels that consideration of buffer reductions is appropriate. The buffer reductions proposed are within the allowable limit for consideration. The plans propose to:

• Reduce the western and southern 40' buffers to 30' buffers.
• Reduce the 30' streetscape along Ferrell Street to a 10' streetscape.

• Reduce the 30' streetscape along East Johnson Street to a 12.5' streetscape.

Building Height: Two-story, approximately 30'

Existing: The existing buildings contain approximately 32,478 square feet. Existing buildings include the cafeteria and classroom building, the administration and classroom building, the gym, the media center, nine mobile classrooms, and one mobile restroom.

Proposed: The existing cafeteria and classroom building and the administration and classroom building would be replaced with a new combination one-story cafeteria and two-story administration/classroom building containing approximately 57,521 square feet. The existing media and gym buildings would remain on site.

The Wake County Public School System advises that the current capacity of Kingswood Elementary School enrollment is 329 students. The enrollment capacity after the planned expansion would be 385 students.

This enrollment would increase the trips to the School during morning peak hour from 102 to 112 trips. This increase is less than 100 peak hour trips, which is required for a Traffic Impact Study.

Road widening was not required as part of this development submittal. East Johnson Street is a 27’ back-to-back street, which meets the Town’s Transportation Plan and is located within a 40’ right-of-way. Town standards require a 50’ right-of-way for 27’ back-to-back streets. Therefore, the school is dedicating 5’ of additional right-of-way along the southern side of East Johnson Street and the remaining 5’ would be acquired as properties develop along the north side of East Johnson Street.

To decrease congestion on East Johnson Street during drop-off and pick-up times, the school is proposing to eliminate parking on East Johnson Street by adding on-site parking. This on-site parking also allows for on-site vehicle queuing, lessening the impact to East Johnson Street.

Water: The school facility will have public water service via a connection to the existing water line along East Johnson Street.

Sewer: The new facility will require abandoning a section of the existing public sewer.

The proposed water and sewer design meets Town utility design standards.

This project has riparian buffers, which have been clearly delineated on the approved plan. The nitrogen reduction requirements have been addressed through the buy-down option, and stormwater attenuation is being addressed through underground detention facilities. Erosion control will be reviewed and inspected by The Land Quality Section of the State of North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

Adjoining property owners were notified during staff's initial review of this plan. Staff received one inquiry regarding the increase in student capacity and the effect the additional student capacity would have on existing roadways in the vicinity of the school. Staff advised that the increase in student capacity from 329 to 385 would have a negligible impact on existing roadways in the area of the school.