Politics & Government

No Definitive Consensus in Parking Lot Hearing

Students, parents, educators and environmentalists all had opinions on the parking.

Despite nearly an hour of public comments on the proposed expansion of the Chatham High School parking lot, no definitive consensus could be determined on whether the lot should be constructed.

Students from Chatham High School said that they realize parking is a priviledge. However, they said that with all of the activities, sports and academics that they balance, having parking lot available on campus would be a real service to them.

Parents and environmental advocates from within the Chathams said that students should walk from the Colony Pool lot, or that the school should look into operating a shuttle from the Cougar Field parking lot to the high school, rather than taking open green space away from the school.

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The parking lot at Cougar Field, which is unpaved, unmarked and uneven, has been called unsafe by other parents and residents.

Chatham High Principal Darren Groh and Superintendent Jim O'Neill said that the district has looked into numerous other options for parking, but that with the projected growth in student enrollment, expanding the parking lot is the right option for the future.

Find out what's happening in Chathamwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Tom Belding, the president of the Board of Education, said that the board first talked about expanding the parking lot over seven years ago, but has opted to institute other policies over time. Now, he said, there is little option left.

Check back throughout the day for video of the public hearing on the proposed parking lot from the meeting on Monday, May 23.


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