
Planning Commission Minutes – September 3, 2025 2
just recently, thus not fully reviewed yet, but he was ready to discuss two main issues. He
noted that while he generally supports pedestrian connectivity, he recognized the concerns
raised by the applicant and left it up to the Commission to make a final decision. Mr. Federico
further acknowledged existing nonconformities related to parking requirements, specifically
noncompliant parking space geometry and dimensions. He clarified that while immediate
corrections are not being requested, he recommends for the WCASD to bring the lot into
compliance during future resurfacing. He noted that the parking spaces in the northern area
near Cheney Drive were quite narrow measuring as little as 7.7 feet wide. Mr. Federico
thought that striping adjustments might result in the loss of several spaces. Mr. Pingar asked
whether there was sufficient parking for the school’s needs. Ms. Carter referred to the site
plan sheet that noted the existing 104 parking spaces while the school’s current enrollment
only requires 41 spaces as per presented parking calculations. Mr. Flynn asked about timing
of the parking lot resurfacing. Ms. Sundquist noted that Mr. Birster, Director of Facilities and
Operations, indicated that the resurfacing and striping would take place at the end of overall
improvements and making the parking lot compliant with the requirements.
Mr. Pingar requested a details on how the stormwater will be managed on site. Barry Stingel,
Landscape architect, provided an overview of the site’s existing and proposed stormwater
management systems. He explained that currently, stormwater is collected through
downspouts and inlets that discharge into an existing basin located on the south side of the
property where athletic fields are located. Mr. Stingle added that with new improvements,
there will be a stormwater basin consisting of a subsurface structure that captures runoff and
allows for periodic maintenance through cleanout ports, and releases water into the existing
basin. He further explained that the existing basin was built in the 1990s and does not have
sufficient capacity to meet today’s standards for both stormwater quantity and quality,
necessitating the additional facility. Ms. Camp emphasized the importance of including clear
and accessible operation and maintenance requirements in the recorded documents
pertaining to existing and proposed stormwater facilities. Mr. Stingel noted that periodic
cleaning will be necessary to remove sediment accumulation, with frequency determined by
the plan’s specifications. Mr. Pingar asked about the frequency of maintenance. Mr. Stingle
was not sure but noted the appropriate maintenance language has been added to the plan
sheets and will be included in the maintenance agreement.
Mr. Pingar raised a question about the piping crossing under the building. Mr. Stingel
explained that it is an active drainage line that predates a prior building addition, which had
been constructed over the pipe. He added that the new addition will be constructed over this
pipe, a practice relatively common in school facilities due to phased construction over time.
Mr. Stingel provided that this reinforced concrete pipe is functional and in use, carrying
stormwater from the existing parking lot. He stated that structural footings for both the
previous and proposed additions have been, or will be designed to protect the pipe, as it is
located at a significant depth. Mr. Stingel also explained new stormwater piping will be
installed to collect runoff from downspouts around the building, and this new system will
connect to the new underground basin before ultimately discharging into the existing basin
and storm manhole, thereby integrating both old and new infrastructure into a coordinated
drainage plan.
Mr. Embick asked whether the existing stormwater basin is a detention facility or it is designed
to infiltrate. He also wanted to know how it will function in connection with the new basin.
Mr. Stingel clarified that the design team does not have the stormwater calculations for the
existing basin and therefore cannot confirm its design, and provided that its functionality is
only known in terms of size and performance where it collects runoff, retains it for a period of
time, and releases it at a controlled rate. He added that the basin is equipped with an outlet
pipe for controlled discharge and an emergency spillway for extreme storm events, such as