The Planning and Zoning Commission on Aug. 21 concluded its site plan advisory review (SPAR SPA250003) for the Academy of Arts and Knowledge, finding the proposal conforms with applicable land‑use standards and commissioning staff to send a recommendation letter to the charter school's governing body.

Staff told the commission that the SPAR concerns were limited: the school proposes interior renovations to occupy portions of the second floor and replacement of a single playground fixture, but no new building footprint or additional exterior elements beyond the swing set replacement. "The applicant is not proposing any additions to the building. They are proposing renovations to the interior of the building and taking over the second story or portion of the second story for additional classroom space," staff said.

Neighbors who live adjacent to the school told the commission they have long‑running concerns about playground noise. Kaye Lannon, whose property borders the school site on the south side, said the school's outdoor play activities cause persistent disturbance, that multiple neighbors have moved away citing noise, and that open windows cannot be left open in warm weather because of loud, high‑pitched sounds. "Our neighbors just to on the other side of the street from us, their backyards are adjacent to the school, and they've reported problems with severe noise, including they can't leave their windows open during the day," Lannon said.

Wally Lannon added that sound is amplified by a brick wall and a narrow playground area near homes, and that continued enrollment growth would increase outdoor use and exacerbate the problem. Neighbors asked whether playground location, enclosure or other measures could lessen off‑site sound impacts.

The school’s board representative, Sam Kornfeld, and executive director Nicole (last name not given) responded that the SPAR application was limited because the only exterior change was replacement of a playground fixture and that the school was willing to work with neighbors. "We do have an interest in cooperating with the neighbors, and we wanna be good neighbors," Kornfeld said. The school's counsel acknowledged the school could not make unilateral legal commitments on behalf of its governing board at the hearing but said the board and staff were willing to engage.

Commissioners asked staff to check whether the city code compliance and neighborhood services offices had received formal noise complaints for the site; staff said they would follow up. Commissioner Ted (last name on record) encouraged the school and neighbors to enter mediation facilitated by Neighborhood Services, and the school’s representative verbally agreed to seek conversations with affected residents and the board.

Action taken: By roll call vote the commission directed staff to prepare and send a letter stating that the SPAR application meets applicable land‑use standards and that the location, character and extent of the proposed change are consistent with the comprehensive plan. The motion passed on a unanimous roll call.

Why it matters: A SPAR finding that a proposed site use is consistent with city standards does not approve construction or modifications to the building; it is an advisory review to check that a proposed public building or significant change is consistent with adopted plans and that impacts have been identified and mitigated where feasible. Neighbors said the SPAR process is a step where noise impacts could be surfaced and asked the school to seek concrete mitigation.

Next steps: Staff will send the commission's SPAR letter to the Academy of Arts and Knowledge governing board. Commissioners and staff said code compliance and Neighborhood Services are available to respond to specific noise complaints, and they encouraged the school and neighbors to engage mediators to pursue mitigations such as relocation of play features, additional screening, or other remedies.

Ending: The commission’s positive SPAR letter clears the way for the school’s internal renovations to proceed through applicable permitting channels, while neighbors and the school pursue additional conversations about off‑site noise mitigation.