Shovels hit the dirt at the Bell Street property in Sandy where the new Sandy
High School will be built over the course of the next two years by the Oregon
Trail School District.

The July 7 groundbreaking event served as a celebration following Sandy City
Council’s rejection of nine appeals on the project filed by three local residents.

“It was exciting to break ground with the community leaders who played such
a huge role in helping us pass the bond,” said district superintendent Shelley
Redinger in a statement. “And there’s a real sense of accomplishment and
pride that we’re putting local citizens to work.”

However, the celebratory mood was dimmed just three weeks later when an
appeal Use Board of Appeals, a state board that reviews all governmental land
use decisions. LUBA received the appeal from Kathleen Walker July 28.
No hearing date has been set.

Under the conditions of approval of the district’s application, the council also
required some alterations, including a pedestrian/bicycle facility, modification
of some lighting and screening of parked vehicles from Bell Street.

The planning commission approved the application May 20, while residents
Walker and Ron Bush filed appeals on eight aspects of the project June 1. Bob
Cecil submitted additional written testimony June 8 regarding a variance to
the maximum structure height requirements, which the council also rejected.
Now that the appeals to the city council are complete, the district has moved
ahead with work on the site of the future 310,000 square foot school. Project
manager Debbie Pearson reported that tree removal is complete, while work
has begun on the south (junior) parking lot.

Pearson added that the appeal process delayed the project by approximately
eight weeks, while she referred to the council as “gracious” for making the
process as quick as possible. Contractors will work six 10-hour days per week
throughout the summer to get back on schedule.

Costs incurred from the appeals process are still being calculated, including
for an extension of Kate Schmitz Avenue and a sidewalk on Bluff Road.

Pearson did note the project’s first bid package is approximately 10 percent
under budget, while a second bid package is expected to be released in
September and a third in October.

The next “milestone” for the new high school will likely be the opening of the
south parking lot at an upcoming football game.

Meanwhile, the bond the district passed in 2008 for the new high school
included projects at the district’s nine other schools.

Pearson reported that roof improvements at Welches Elementary and Middle
Schools were awarded to ABC Roofing Company, Inc. and are currently
underway.