New preschool proposed
Another Peters Township traffic signal is likely in the works for a new preschool being proposed at Waterdam and Galley roads.
The township planning commission has approved the site plan, subject to conditions, for Primrose Schools of Acworth, Ga., to construct a two-building facility to serve a maximum of 188 children per day.
One of the conditions is that Primrose signs a site plan improvement agreement with the township prior to site work or building permit approval.
At their Monday night meeting, township council members discussed the wording of the agreement with regard to the traffic signal.
“The language that Primrose proposes puts a requirement on Peters Township to issue an occupancy permit whether or not the traffic signal improvements have been done,” township manager Paul Lauer said.
By contrast, the township’s wording places conditions for occupancy on completion of the signal, but it gives council the authority to waive the requirement. Several council members, though, said they prefer that the decision by made by township staff.
Primrose must apply to the state Department of Transportation to gain approval for the signal. Lauer said the intersection meets all the warrants as required by PennDOT.
Ted Tillman of Primrose School Franchising Co. said the hope is to have work on the preschool and the traffic signal run fairly concurrently.
“If the signal were not complete through no fault of ours, for delay in equipment being delivered, we would certainly be diligent to get this signal,” he said. “We want this signal complete. We believe it would be a great addition to that intersection.”
Plans call for two driveways to serve the preschool, on both Waterdam and Galley roads. The latter could be modified if the signal turned out not to be operational at the time of the center’s opening.
“We’re just asking for the right to be able to open with just a right-in, right-out on Galley, not a full turn,” Tillman told council. “You’re not going to be able to make a left in to the school from Galley.”
He also explained that the Small Business Administration, which is providing financing for the project, might take issue with language that fails to guarantee the preschool can open if the signal is not complete.
“The SBA may not want to close on the project,” he said.
Both access points are subject to highway occupancy permits being granted by PennDOT. The Waterdam Road driveway is planned for directly across from the “T” intersection with Old Waterdam Road.
No timetable for the project has been discussed.
Primrose Schools, founded in Georgia in 1982, is a national system of accredited private preschools, with each center owned by a local franchisee.