Chester Upland School District presents sketch plan for athletic complex at Showalter campus

The Chester Planning Commission heard a sketch-plan presentation Oct. 8 for a proposed athletic complex at the Chester Upland School District’s Showalter campus at 1100 West 10th Street. The informal review covered stadium reconstruction, an expansion from a six‑lane to an eight‑lane track, new home and visitor grandstands, a synthetic turf multi‑sport field, a new athletic training facility with locker rooms and a plaza with concessions and restrooms.

The plan matters to residents because the stadium sits in the city’s Conservation Zoning District near homes on Concord Avenue and public parking across Lamokin Street; commissioners and staff focused on access, safety, and stormwater details that will affect design and neighborhood use.

Planning staff identified key issues the applicant should address in a formal land‑development submission, including confirmation of parcel boundaries and impervious‑surface calculations (the CN district’s maximum impervious coverage is 20 percent), the number of additional spectator seats (which could change parking requirements), ADA‑compliant parking locations, fire‑engine turning templates and locations for dumpsters and their enclosures. The planning memorandum also recommended street trees at the stadium frontage and suggested permeable pavers in the plaza area to reduce runoff.

Paul Fritz, planning staff, said the Conservation District allows low‑intensity public uses such as school facilities but that the applicant should confirm parcel size because the impervious coverage calculation will depend on it. Fritz also read a fire marshal memo dated Oct. 3 that said new buildings may require sprinkler systems, additional hydrants could be necessary, and the land‑development plan should show how emergency vehicles and ambulances can access and stage on the grounds.

Mike Galante, owner of MG Engineering Associates and the Chester Upland School District engineer, said the existing field and grandstands were “in pretty poor condition” and that upgrading would let the district host larger track meets and provide students with an athletic training facility. Galante described plans for a synthetic turf field, expanded seating (using Southern Bleacher products), a new entrance plaza, concession and restroom buildings, a press box, and locker rooms in the new training building. He said the turf is treated as impervious in his experience and that if the ordinance treats synthetic turf as pervious it could affect whether a variance is required.

Rodney Robertson, Chester Upland School District facilities director, told the commission the district intends the complex for school and community use, and that buses would drop off and pick up at the training‑facility entrance. He said the district is considering controlled open hours so the community can use the track and field but the facility can also be protected from vandalism.

Collier Engineering’s review emphasized stormwater management and noted that synthetic turf increases impervious area and will require infiltration testing and an MPDES permit. The city engineer said stormwater conveyance and connections to existing combined sewers are issues that will need technical engineering during the land‑development stage.

Public commenters welcomed the plan. Missy Jones of 340 West 22nd Street said she was “super excited” that Chester students would gain access to a proper sports complex; another resident said improved lighting and safety on Concord Avenue should be part of final plans.

Because this was a sketch plan—an informal, nonbinding step—the commission did not take formal action. Staff asked the applicant to return with a formal land‑development submission that includes clearer parcel boundaries, detailed impervious calculations, ADA parking locations, fire‑truck turning templates, stormwater test results and MPDES documentation, and a planting plan for shade and street trees.

The commission and applicants agreed to continue technical coordination; the planning office and the fire marshal’s office will expect those items in the next submission.