Design choices divide Newfields group as plan updates, pedestrian access and parking are refined
Summary
Committee members debated whether proposed front-yard areas should be green or paved, asked TF Moran to clarify entrance/item G scope, and discussed traffic patterns (one-way vs two-way) and ADA access to reduce safety risks for students.
Members of a Newfields School District planning group spent substantial time weighing site-design trade-offs in the concept drawings, with particular focus on the front entrance (item G), green space, bollards and how cars and pedestrians will move during drop-off and pick-up.
Speaker 2 asked for clarification of 'item G'—a line item described as prep and overlay for a 21,000‑square‑foot entrance area—and Speaker 1 said the entry includes multiple elements (resurfacing, pothole repair and driveway work) and that TF Moran tailored its quote to advise whether to resurface or fully reconstruct. The committee noted that some vendor quotes date back several years and that local knowledge by firms (Barassa via TF Moran) informed the guesstimates.
The group disputed whether a small area should be shown as green space or paved on materials going out to the public. Speaker 4 warned against circulating a plan that incorrectly omitted green space, and Speaker 1 agreed to request updated drawings and a colored schematic for community handouts. On safety and circulation, several speakers endorsed a one‑way loop for drop-off (a standard school practice) to keep vehicle traffic away from the crosswalk, while others argued two‑way access might be needed for assembly parking and field users.
Accessibility issues were raised: the committee identified three required egresses, locations of ADA parking in front/side/back, and that some gravel surfaces cannot be striped for handicapped use. Members asked engineers to consider ramps and stairs to handle level changes and winter use of gravel lots.
Outcome and next steps: The committee asked TF Moran for small map edits, agreed to color and simplify a public-facing plan, and said engineers will resolve lane widths, bollard placement and ADA routing as part of final plans. No formal design decision or vote was taken in the meeting; the items remain part of the concept plans to be refined before bidding.
