Orange County NC Website
The Board of Directors of Carolina Friends School adopted a five -year master plan <br />in 1991 for development of the school. In 1992 the Special Use Permit was <br />modified to include expansion of buildings and parking consistent with the school's <br />master plan. In 1996 The Special Use Permit was modified to include 5100 square <br />feet of additional floor area. Last year, Carolina Friends School swapped land with <br />Duke University to acquire acreage between the existing school and Friends <br />School Road. No additional construction was proposed when the school site <br />boundaries were changed. <br />The current request is to accommodate a ten-year masterplan to expand the school <br />into the acreage acquired in 1997. Student enrollment is proposed to increase by <br />five for a total of 422 students. School staff will increase by one for a total of 62 <br />staff members. <br />The proposal includes a new entrance to the school site south of the existing <br />entrance on Friends School Road. The new entrance will have better sight distance <br />than the existing entrance. In 1996, the average daily traffic count on Friends <br />School Road was 200 trips per day; therefore, turn lanes on Friends School Road <br />will not be necessary. The existing entrance will continue to access a portion of the <br />campus, but will not connect to the proposed system of driveways. <br />Five (5) new buildings are proposed (37,750 square feet total): a multi- purpose <br />center (gymnasium), a meeting house, a new Early School building, an athletic <br />field house, and a covered service area. Several additions to existing structures are <br />proposed totaling 14,700 square feet. The expansion also involves a baseball field, <br />two soccer fields, and an outdoor amphitheater. A system of driveways and <br />parking is planned to serve the new facilities and connect to the existing campus. <br />The proposed construction constitutes a major modification to the Special Use <br />Permit issued in 1990, and modified in 1992, 1996, and 1997. Article 8.7.3 of the <br />Zoning Ordinance requires that such a change be considered by the Board of <br />Commissioners following a public hearing. <br />The proposed expansion of the school complies with all the findings (see <br />attachment) required by the Zoning Ordinance that are attached to the current <br />Special Use Permit. Letters from the Sheriff's Department and Emergency <br />Management indicate that service will continue to be provided to Carolina Friends <br />School as it is expanded. <br />The NC Department of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources has indicated <br />that the existing sewage treatment system will accommodate the proposed increase <br />in staff and student enrollment as well as the flow generated during athletic events. <br />The school has also proposed a wastewater reclamation and reuse system to be <br />added to the existing treatment system. This system is not required for the <br />expansion of the school. Engineers at NCDEHNR have given preliminary approval <br />pending submittal of construction plans and specifications. Reclaimed water from <br />