Grandview Heights approves temporary modular classrooms for Stephenson Elementary

The Grandview Heights Planning Commission on Oct. 15 approved a major site plan and associated variances to allow 29 temporary modular classrooms at 1241 Fairview Avenue for use while the new Stephenson Elementary School is built.

Planner Jordan Selmaq told the commission the property is zoned RS-2 and that the temporary modular plan requires variances for corner-lot and school setbacks, a reduced rear-yard depth and an increase in lot coverage to about 70 percent from roughly 61 percent. Jordan said city engineering is reviewing utilities and stormwater details and recommended approval conditional on three actions: the Grandview Heights School District complete a written agreement with the city to restore any city park property used for construction laydown; any on-site dumpsters be screened as determined by the city; and the final site plans be reviewed and approved by city engineering.

Alford Construction project manager Jay Tadena, representing the applicant, summarized the proposal: “We’re here to present the temporary modular classrooms that are gonna make way for the demolition and construction of the new Stephenson Elementary School.” He and Mike Raider of Mobile Modular said the project calls for 29 units, with deliveries scheduled roughly Feb. 6–26 and a plan to deliver up to two units per day. Tadena said construction mobilization will begin in January and the district expects to have the site restored and ready for school in time for the August school year opening window; the applicant also cited an earlier target for finishing interior work in May to allow later landscaping and maintenance before August.

District operations director Jim Buffer described the district’s traffic and supervision plan for the temporary arrangement: “We are going to look at a start time of 08:10, with a 03:00 dismissal,” he said, explaining the district intends a 10‑minute morning stagger so high‑school and middle‑school traffic arrives before elementary arrival and to staff drop‑off with additional paid stipends to supervise arrival and dismissal. Buffer and CTO Chris Dice said the district will direct parents about drop‑off locations and has contingency plans to avoid peak pickup and drop‑off conflicts.

The applicant described utility and civil measures intended to limit impacts: sanitary service will tie into an existing main under Fairview, electrical work is coordinated with American Electric Power, and the civil plans include downspouts tied into the city storm system plus three added catch basins to capture runoff. Jordan told the commission the city engineering team (EP Ferris) will complete detailed reviews of stormwater and utility tie‑ins as part of final permitting.

Delivery logistics and site access were the most discussed practical issues. Applicant representatives said large modular units will arrive on semis with escorts; the largest units are about 14 feet wide and 70 feet long and may require temporary use of adjacent city park property for staging and access. The applicant proposed using protective mats/temporary roads and replacing any removed trees; the commission and city staff said a formal right‑of‑entry or restoration agreement addressing the park’s repair and duration of use must be executed before the site plan is final.

Commissioners and staff pressed the district and applicant on several operational details: ADA compliance of restroom modules (applicant said restrooms are recent and include accessible fixtures), covered walkways between units to protect movement between classrooms, measures to protect sidewalks/curbs (steel ramps or plates), and a maintenance plan for seeded/restored turf. Commissioners also sought clarity on parking allocation and enforcement; Jordan and district staff said student parking will be reduced and some spots reallocated to staff and visitors during construction, and the district will communicate allocations to users. The district agreed to monitor whether increased dumpster service (initially five times per week) is sufficient and to add dumpsters or screening if needed.

The commission took a single motion to approve the major site plan and all required variances, with the staff‑recommended conditions (written restoration agreement for city park use, screening if dumpsters are sited on the modular area, and engineering approval of final plans). Roll call recorded Commissioners Kaskoski, Evans, Holland (or Holler as recorded), Hawk and Chairman Gentry voting yes; the motion carried.

What’s next: the district must complete the restoration agreement with the city and obtain city engineering approval of the final site plans. The applicant and district said they will coordinate final delivery dates and daily timing with city safety forces and notify the public about traffic and drop‑off procedures.

Votes at a glance: The commission approved the major site plan and all variances for PC Case No. 12‑2025 (1241 Fairview Avenue) with conditions. Vote recorded as five yes, zero no; mover and seconder not specified in the transcript.