Bellingham private school Franklin Academy can go ahead with planned expansion, after approval from a hearing examiner.
The STEM-integrated private school for preschoolers through eighth-graders had applied for an amendment to its conditional use permit to build a 7,256-square-foot addition to Robin Hall, its Northwest Avenue location, to house a commons area, eight classrooms and a staff lounge.
Throughout the public process, some neighbors expressed concern about a potential traffic increase, impacts on parking and impacts of construction noise. Hearing Examiner Sharon Rice approved the application on Tuesday, May 14, with some conditions related to lessening construction impacts on neighbors.
Head of School Gretchen Bucsko told CDN in April that the expansion was needed to provide more space for teachers and students, and to upgrade aging facilities.
Robin Hall, which previously had been a Safeway and a medical clinic, Bucsko said, was built in the 1960s. Its infrastructure is crumbling in places. Existing classrooms where the renovation and expansion are proposed have issues: one has heating problems, while another has damage from flooding.
“We are so pleased to hear the verdict from the hearing examiner,” Bucsko said in an email on Thursday, May 16. “We expect to start construction as soon as we can secure all of the funds to do so. We are very grateful for all of the community support we have received to further our goal of STEM education.”
Charlotte Alden is CDN’s general assignment/enterprise reporter; reach her at charlottealden@cascadiadaily.com; 360-922-3090 ext. 123.
