Libertyville H.S. to add 69 parking spots, allows all seniors to park on campus
By Rick Kambic
| Pioneer Press |
As construction of a new aquatic center and pool progresses at Libertyville High School, district officials received permission to build 69 more parking spaces. (Rick Kambic/Pioneer Press)
In a move that will allow all seniors to park on campus, High School District 128 is moving forward with plans to add 69 new parking spaces at Libertyville High School.
The parking is slated for an area near a new Route 176 entrance west of the school's main driveway. In a news release, District 128 said it expects to finish the parking project in spring 2019, which is about the same time construction of a new aquatic center is expected to wrap up.
Projected costs for the new parking is approximately $750,000, according to the district's news release.
"The estimate includes the cost of the parking spaces, landscaping and fence, and will be paid from the district's reserves, resulting in no additional tax burden to taxpayers," the release reads. "When completed, the project will allow all LHS seniors to park on campus."
Libertyville High School's $21.5 million aquatic center project involves a new building with a 50-meter pool that will replace the existing 23-meter pool that was built in 1971.
Forty parking spots next to the new building were approved as part of the pool project and will replace parking that was removed to make way for the new facility.
The new 69 parking spots near the western exit would add to the total that Libertyville High School had prior to construction, according to District 128 spokeswoman Mary Todoric.
Only construction crews are currently allowed to use the new driveway, but once everything is done the driveway will be an entrance for traffic traveling in both directions and an exit onto westbound Route 176, Todoric said.
Neighboring residents, mostly along Pond Ridge Road, voiced opposition to the new parking area during a June 25 Plan Commission meeting and a July 24 Village Board meeting.
Meeting minutes show residents claimed to be unaware of the project and were upset about the many trees removed by the pool project, saying the lack of trees and the new road create light and sound issues.
Mayor Terry Weppler said the Village Board asked the school district and neighbors to reach a compromise.
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"The school district has been very cooperative with both us and the neighbors, and we're very grateful for that," Weppler said.
Trustees voted unanimously Aug. 28 to approve the project after a fence was added to the project in between brush. Weppler said the fence will have no gaps and all light and sound would be reflected away from the houses.
Residents had another suggestion they thought would reduce light and noise.
"The neighbors asked that all this new parking be labeled for staff only, and the board didn't think it was appropriate to require the high school to do that," Weppler said. "The high school has indicated that that's what they intend to do and I take them at their word."