Mount Pleasant community discusses the development of a private K-12 Central Christian Academy
Mount Pleasant residents spoke about the development of land by Broomfield and Crawford Streets at the City Commission meeting on Nov. 24. Nearly a year after the commission denied a rezoning amendment (Z-24-01) that would have allowed the academy to be built, the idea is back in the air.
Some community members opposed the possible development of a private K-12 Central Christian Academy.
“Personally, I think this land has to be developed, but it needs to be developed responsibly,” said resident David Kerr.
Residents who live by this area are pushing for more housing options, emphasizing that there is a need for homes and not another school.
“Residents' houses are always what our city needs for the future, and a growing workforce," said resident Marja Nothstine. "Not more student apartments for CMU’s declining enrollment, or an empty strip mall. Don’t let the millionaires take over and take advantage. Think houses, homes, family-occupied places for a community."
The land is broken into five parcels, three of which are owned by the same person. The owner of the land, Edward Peters, was also in attendance at the commission meeting.
“I purchased this property in 1996 with the intentions of building something that we could dovetail in with the community and something we could all enjoy, and of course, we want to make a few bucks too,” said Peters.
Peters also said that in 2006, there had been plans to build a golf course and condominiums that were compliant with the Planned Residential Development plan. The project was not approved for development, and the plans went elsewhere.
In 1980, the City Commission adopted a Planned Residential Development plan. Over the years, city commissioners have amended and discussed the PRD. Documents for the original 1980 plan are currently missing. Many residents deem the PRD as a failed experiment and want to move on.
Supporters of the academy also spoke at the meeting. They said that adding more educational options for people helps with community development.
One of them was Renee Papelian.
“I can say without hesitation, we have looked everywhere within the city to find a suitable place in order to build the school. We also listen closely to comments raised last year during the initial zoning process. One concern expressed was that a private school might draw students away from the public schools. However, the data does not support that assumption,” Papelian said.
Supporters of the academy are asking for 26 acres of land. Whereas last year, the request was 31 acres. Papelian said that the remaining acres will be used for commercial purposes to facilitate revenue.
Present at the meeting were two representatives from Progressive who facilitated a joint work session to discuss the possibility of rezoning. The city commission and planning commission sat down together to discuss the matter.
The PRD makes development on this land complicated, the commission said. The work session focused on the idea of removing the current PRD and evaluating what the land could be used for.
“Mount Pleasant is landlocked; we cannot expand. The parcel under discussion is the last one that has not (been) developed, except for the state home. What the city needs are more taxes from income and affordable housing,” said resident Gisela Moffit.
“I think it would kind of simplify it a bit more if we just concentrate on zoning rather than what’s going to be put on it, because that can always change at any time,” said Commissioner Grace Rollins.
The city and planning commission did not vote to remove the PRD; however, the commissions agreed to review a new proposal for land development.
Other topics discussed
- Commissioner Elizabeth Busch announced her resignation, which will be effective after the commission meeting on Dec. 8. Busch is pursuing her master’s in counseling at CMU, and has a scheduling conflict.
- Commissioner Ryon Skalitzky proposed to create a tenants' rights committee.
- Christmas Celebration Events will take place in Downtown Mount Pleasant on Dec. 6.
