We have learned that National Heritage Academies has pulled out of buying the property located on Claremont South. This for-profit company had planned to develop and run the charter school with the public funds (seven million dollars) as required by state law. According to the first article, it appears the Lee Scholars Board has not given up, but presently Lee Scholars does not have a party to buy and operate the school at this location. See recent news stories here.
Anyone who has driven Homestead Rd often and enjoyed the vistas would have been disturbed to see a prefab structure go up on a dangerous bend in the road. No busses were planned, but 750 cars delivering student going and coming each day on a road already heavily traveled at rush hour would have created a dangerous traffic situation. So far DOT has not signed off on the plan. We studied the construction plans carefully. Much grading and land disturbance depended on stormwater facilities that could fail and land sediment in Bolin creek, already a 303(d) impaired stream.
The landowner Omar Zinn and Parker Lewis Co. have not said what they plan to do now with this beautiful property just above Bolin Creek. (They have an approved permit for a subdivision). If the proposal is again redesigned, we will continue to press for appropriate uses and conservation near the creek and wooded habitat.
Thanks to everyone who wrote of your concerns. We will keep you abreast of developments.