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Parent warns developer won’t build pedestrian connection to South Fork High; district and county say developer obligation is a county matter
Summary
A parent told the Martin County School Board on June 17 that developer Pulte will not build a planned connection from the High Point subdivision to South Fork High School and will only provide funds; district staff said enforcement of the development agreement and construction obligations rests with the county.
A resident told the Martin County School Board on June 17 that developer Pulte will not build a planned pedestrian connection from the High Point subdivision to South Fork High School, and that residents fear students will face an unsafe walk when classes resume in seven weeks.
“I don’t know how my child will get to Southwark,” said Alexandra Cohen, a parent who addressed the board during public comment. She said the developer’s agreement with Martin County uses language requiring the developer only to “pursue connection coordination” and that Pulte was now refusing to build the connection and will “only sponsor it” (provide funds rather than construct the crossing).
Deputy Superintendent Tracy Miller and other district staff told the board they have been in regular contact with Cohen and with county staff. Miller said district safety staff and county staff met to review recommended crosswalk locations and that the district is willing to partner on safety improvements. Miller also said the developer’s recent stance — that it would not build the connection — was the first such notice the district had received and that the issue involves county planning and the developer’s PUD agreement.
Board members asked whether any minimal safety solution could be in place before school starts. Miller said that could be difficult to guarantee and noted that under state statutory standards the walking conditions at the site meet criteria for allowing students to walk. The board and staff emphasized the county’s role in enforcing the PUD language. One board member said she had contacted county commissioners and that they were “very confident” a resolution could be reached.
No formal board vote or change to district policy occurred. The board requested continued coordination among district staff, county staff and the neighborhood’s residents and asked staff to provide a status update at the next workshop so families can know what will be done before school opens.
