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Coppell planning commission approves one-year increase in Saint Constantine School enrollment cap to 130
Summary
On May 21 the Coppell Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously approved a one‑year revision to the special use permit allowing Saint Constantine School to raise its student cap from 100 to 130 at the Church of the Apostles after staff presented a circulation plan and in‑operation car‑line observations.
The Coppell Planning and Zoning Commission voted unanimously May 21 to approve a one‑year revision to Special Use Permit S‑1113R3‑SF‑7, increasing the allowable enrollment for Saint Constantine School from 100 to 130 students at the Church of the Apostles on South MacArthur Boulevard.
Senior planner Mary Crow Boswell told the commission staff had reviewed a circulation plan and car‑line survey and recommended approval with conditions, including licensing in accordance with state law and a 130‑student cap. Boswell said the site plan allows internal stacking for up to 36 vehicles and that staff’s in‑operation photos and surveys found car‑line lengths typically ranged from 2 to 17 cars and dissipated within minutes. “Staff is recommending approval of S‑1113R3‑SF‑7 subject to the following conditions,” Boswell said during the presentation.
The commission’s discussion focused on traffic and how to limit peak on‑site counts. Commissioners asked whether the school’s current split schedule (different groups attending on different days) should be written into a condition to avoid simultaneous attendance at the proposed cap. Boswell and other members noted split scheduling is the school’s current operating model and that state accreditation and staffing are not zoning matters; commissioners debated enforcement triggers tied to observed complaints or queueing onto MacArthur Boulevard.
Applicant Catherine Clayton, representing Saint Constantine School, said the campus completed its first year with 69 students and that demand is growing. “We will need to actively turn away students if the cap remains at 100,” Clayton said, explaining that start and end times are offset from nearby schools and that the observed maximum car line during the first year was about 16 vehicles.
The public hearing drew no speakers. Vice Chair Sue Blankenship moved to close the public hearing; the motion carried on a roll call vote with all present commissioners voting aye. Commissioner Ed Marr moved to approve the SUP as recommended by staff; Blankenship seconded. The commission voted unanimously to approve the one‑year increase (roll‑call recorded ayes and no opposition), allowing the school the requested temporary bump to 130 students.
The approved special use permit is limited to one year; Boswell told the commission any change beyond that would require returning to the city for further review and approval. The meeting adjourned at 6:41 p.m.
