Planning Commission recommends approval for new 2,000‑student Alpine School District high school

The Saratoga Springs Planning Commission voted Feb. 12 to forward a recommendation for approval of Alpine School District’s High School 722 preliminary plat and site plan, a project that will place a new high school on a 61.56‑acre portion of a 177.87‑acre parcel near the northwest corner of Ensign Drive and Mountain View Corridor.

Senior Planner David Jellen told commissioners the school site plan shows a 391,000‑square‑foot building designed to serve about 2,000 students and provide 1,276 parking stalls. Applicant Frank Pulley represented Alpine School District at the meeting. Commissioner Scott A. Hill and others pressed for safer walking and biking connections to the campus; resident Emily Pulham, speaking during public input, urged separated paths rather than painted bike lanes adjacent to vehicles on Bonneville, Ensign Drive and Hallmark Drive.

Commissioners discussed that much of the surrounding land is owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter‑Day Saints and that future uses for the remaining acreage are not known. City engineer Scott Petrik noted that current design plans showed bike lanes alongside Bonneville and Ensign Drive but not as separated paths, and that the applicant could choose to provide different treatments. The commission’s motion—made by Commissioner Hill and seconded by Commissioner Virginia Rae Mann—passed with five yes votes; Commissioner Colton Miles recused and one member was absent.

Next steps in the planning process include additional engineering reviews and any code-based improvements the city requires before final plat and site‑plan approval. The commission’s recommendation will be transmitted to the City Council as part of the formal review sequence.