Due to the possible need for additional permitting, the new elementary school could be delayed as much as a year. This would be due to the wetlands on the school’s building site, which is located at the southwest corner of State Road and Valley Parkway.
Recently, it was determined that property’s wetlands had grown to over a half an acre from 2001 when the Army Corp of Engineers conducted a study that outlined the wetlands on that site. According to school officials, “upon passage of the bond issue in May 2017, North Royalton City Schools contracted with ATC Group Services, an environmental consulting firm, to perform a wetland delineation study. The District previously had this study completed in 2001 which showed limited wetland impact. The May 2017 study by ATC confirmed the findings of the 2001 study. The District proceeded with the permit processes as required for land with minimal wetland impact as it moved into the building design process in fall 2017. The next step in the process was for the Army Corps of Engineers to confirm the wetland study. In late May of 2018, the Army Corps, along with ATC, delineated an increased wetland impact.”
With the additional amount of wetlands, additional permits could be required by the state of Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). One permit is through the Army Corps of Engineers and one through the Ohio EPA, as well as continuing with the City of North Royalton permit process. The Ohio EPA permit process could take between 180 and 365 days. Due to this time line, the North Royalton School District anticipates the construction of the new elementary school to be pushed up from August 2020 to August 2021. While they wait for the Ohio EPA to review the plans, the District will continue to work with the City and the North Royalton Board of Zoning Appeals to get the continual approvals involving other areas of the project needed to continue ahead.
Another issue the District is facing is a building code that was put in place after May, 2017, when the bond issue was approved. The code states that any new school structure that houses more than fifty students must contain a structure that could withstand an F-5 tornado. This structure must include a separate water, electrical and plumbing system. “The District’s design has this storm shelter built into the new gymnasiums at both sites. As this code was enacted after the passage of the bond issue, the District could not plan for the additional costs that this would encumber, which would be approximately $1 million at each site, said school officials. “Funds would need to be taken from other aspects of the project.” Legislation recently passed by the Ohio House and Senate contained an amendment that would delay the implementation of this code for those districts who passed their bond issues and secured funding before September, 2019. This legislation is currently awaiting Governor Kasich’s signature. If he signs the legislation, the plan will not have to be implemented.
The District will continue to keep residents informed of the progression of the project.

By GLORIA PLEVA KACIK
Contributing Writer