Committee approves Herget Middle School final-plan revision for track, parking and future solar array

The Building, Zoning and Economic Development Committee approved a final-plan revision for Herget Middle School that adds an athletic facility, parking and a solar array.

City planner Steven Broadwell presented the proposal (agenda item 25-0352), describing a three-part plan: an athletic facility consisting of a football field with an eight-lane track, roughly 60 additional parking stalls to the south with a new right-out/left-out onto Deerpath Road, and a solar-panel array on the northern portion of the school property. Broadwell told the committee the plan complies with the Verona Ridge planned development standards.

When asked what 'primarily' meant for use of the field, the Assistant Chief Superintendent for Operations said the facility is intended to be used exclusively for students initially, though neighbors may walk on it informally and the district did not plan to rent the field to outside track clubs at the outset. The district emphasized there would be no permanent bleachers and no field lighting; cameras and motion detectors that are present at the high-school field will not be used at this middle-school site. Broadwell and district staff said landscaping will provide a buffer for nearby residences and the district will coordinate plantings with the city.

The district also described the intended benefits of the solar array: it will supply some of the building's electricity, reduce purchases from ComEd and save taxpayers money over time, though it will not cover all of the school's power needs. Enrollment at Herget was reported as about 650 students; the district said track meets are limited to spring and the schedule should avoid evening play because no lighting is planned.

Alderman Franco moved and Alderman Seville seconded approval of the final-plan revision; the motion carried 3-0.