Cumberland approves variance to avoid Chevron bus parking at new B.F. Norton; designers describe jug-handle alternative

The Cumberland School Committee on Jan. 9 approved a variance request to RIDE (Rhode Island Department of Education) that allows the new B.F. Norton Elementary School to omit Chevron-style bus parking and use an alternative circulation design.

The variance won unanimous committee approval after Colliers, the project's representative, and the landscape architect described why Chevron parking would require a large asphalt area and create stormwater and heat-island impacts. "Chevron parking is a manner of parking the buses for dismissal and arrival where the buses are in a large asphalt area ... we're looking at about 35,000 plus square feet of asphalt that's gonna be utilized just for the Chevron parking," said Steve, the landscape architect from Traverse, during the presentation.

Why it matters: the committee and the design team said site footprint and circulation needs at the district's new 575-student, four-track elementary school limit options. Committee members expressed interest in preserving green space and finding a replacement field for District 1; the architects said a full-size ball field will not fit on the B.F. Norton site.

Designers' proposal and concerns Colliers' representative Emery told the committee the variance is a deviation from RIDE guidance and that the project team weighed alternatives. Steve said Chevron parking typically requires nearly an acre of impervious pavement for a modest bus fleet and is intended to reduce exhaust exposure by angling buses. "The amount of asphalt that's gonna be required for that jug handle is significantly less than what's required for that large Chevron parking area," the landscape architect said of the team's chosen "jug-handle" approach.

Under the jug-handle design, buses will pull into a separate 30-foot-wide drive lane outside primary circulation, park on the side for drop-off and then turn around to exit. The team said that lane can provide additional parking during events and can incorporate landscaped islands and stormwater retention to mitigate runoff.

Committee questions and town follow-up Committee members asked whether removing Chevron parking simply trades one area of asphalt for another. "If the Chevron is not there, are you going to be doing anything else with it because you would still end up with just asphalt and wouldn't that still continue to cause a drainage issue?" asked Ms. Smith, a school committee member. The team responded that the jug-handle requires less asphalt overall and that islands will be used for stormwater retention.

Members also asked about replacement fields for District 1. Town Council President Kinch told the committee the town had planned a field at a Superfund site but had no update for the committee; he said he would seek information from the mayor's office and report back.

Vote and outcome A motion to approve the RIDE variance for Chevron-style bus parking was made by Ms. Goldstein and seconded by Mr. Bacon. The motion carried, 7-0.

Project schedule and related construction updates Separately during the superintendent's report, staff showed renderings and floor plans for the new B.F. Norton school and discussed schedule targets. The design team expects to start construction this summer if permits proceed: "shovel in the ground this summer," the superintendent said. The committee was shown Kilburn Street and Bridal Street views and preliminary interior plans, including a large media center and common spaces.

The meeting also included updates on renovation work at Community School. Staff said crews are in sheetrock and window installation phases, and that older building conditions — including plaster and obsolete knob-and-tube wiring — have required unanticipated repairs. "Community is on time right now and on budget," the superintendent said, while noting additional challenges tied to the building's age.

What the committee recorded The formal action recorded in the minutes and passed in the meeting was the RIDE variance approval for Chevron-style bus parking at the new B.F. Norton Elementary School (motion by Ms. Goldstein; second by Mr. Bacon; vote 7-0). The committee also received construction updates and renderings for B.F. Norton and a status update on Community School renovation.