The Kenton County Planning Commission unanimously approved a public facility review of renovations to R.C. Hinsdale Elementary in Edgewood on Thursday, clearing the way for Kenton County Schools to vote on funding changes for the construction at the board of education meeting on Monday.
Public building projects, such as those connected to cities, public safety agencies and schools, are not subject to zoning regulations like private enterprises. However, public entities will often ask for a public facilities review to keep county officials informed and see if the project conforms with county comprehensive planning.
The Kenton County Schools Board of Education has already approved drawings for some of the phases of the renovations. Construction is slated to begin later this month after school lets out, pending final board approval of the funding changes on Monday.
Preliminary plans for the construction were approved late last year. The project is a continuation of another round of renovations that started in 2021. The project calls for the addition of parking spaces and coincides with a city of Edgewood-led realignment of the intersection at Dudley Road, Charter Oak Road and Tupman Drive, which leads into the school.
Once complete, the realignment will transform the currently uneven intersection into a true four-way. Previous statements from district staff indicate the plan also calls for a new roof and a new geothermal HVAC system for the school, renovations of the small learning pods on the campus, new restrooms and other renovations to strengthen the school’s ability to provide specialized learning interventions.
The construction will make the school’s entrance ADA-compliant. Documents submitted for Thursday’s meeting also show the addition of two new signs, one above the building’s main entrance and the other on the entryway in the property.
The project originated in the district’s desire to address a parking problem called stacking, in which cars back up along Dudley Road, creating safety hazards. The peculiar jog in the intersection also creates hazards for pedestrians.
“We’ve had that issue at dismissal times,” said Matt Rigg, the district’s chief operations officer, later adding that the realignment will “solve a lot of issues.” Once the realignment is completed, the campus will sport a total of 165 parking spaces.
The development plan submitted to the planning commission on Thursday included the road realignment plan as well as the project’s grading, demolition and construction phasing plans. You can view the plans below.