City Council granted conditional-use approval to a sketch plan showing improvements to parking lots and structures at the former Roosevelt Middle School on West Fourth Street.
But the matter didn't come without council members expressing concerns about the number of parking stalls and assurances that off-street parking issues would be alleviated, particularly for residents living along Grand Street.
The facility at 2600 W. Fourth St., which houses the Williamsport Area School District Service Center and tax office, is to become a school capable of housing 900 students and scheduled to open its doors in Fall 2013.
Two representatives, one from McKissick Associates and another with Larson Design Group Inc., answered council's questions about the parking and design upgrades.
The plan shows primary access to the facility by way of West Fourth Street and improved access for school buses and parents dropping off and picking up students.
Councilwoman Gerry Fausnaught said she "lived" in the building for 13 years as its principal.
She said her concerns were when holiday concerts and spring musicals take place. She said she believed more than the alloted 345 parking spaces on the design would be required when such events are held.
The architectural renderings reveal a primary difference will be the new front entrance on the west side of the building.
The plans shows a glass facade at what will be the library. East and west side parking lots are to be improved, as is the circulation of regular traffic.
The District Service Center remains on the east side of the building. There is an entrance for buses with a loop and a one-way exit onto West Fourth Street.
The plan shows a separate entrance is on the west side of the building that is for a parent drop-off area, with access to the building by a sidewalk. The new design is anticipated to permit parents to park and then walk to the school.
The building also is designed to be more energy efficient and will have windows that allow sunlight and interior existing lights to illuminate the rooms.
Screening material will shield equipment such as heaters and air conditioning units, adding to the aesthetic quality of the building, the spokesmen said.
The athletic fields will remain but drainage systems will be improved, with perforated pipe buried beneath the fields.
To the rear, the sketch shows a courtyard area that has numerous examples of improvements to landscape design.
Additionally, there will be retaining walls with landscaping built on top so it does not appear to be one massive structure.
The landscaping on the West Fourth Street side is envisioned to provide screening for residents living in the neighborhood. The plans shows an area for bicycle rack installations.
Storm sewers will be replaced and larger inlets put in to allow more water in and less pooling. More piping will be installed to help with groundwater issues, the representatives said.
Installation of an underground storm water retention area beneath the eastern baseball field will help with drainage issues, they said.
City Zoning Officer David Hines said neighbors living within a 200-foot buffer zone of the building were notified of the public hearing. Land development will be the next phase in the plan.
