CPS request delay of action on vote for access to new East Elementary

Columbia Public Schools is requesting the city delay action on a proposal regarding access to the new East Elementary School.

ABC 17 News has been reporting for the last month that neighbors in the Woodlands and Vineyards neighborhoods are concerned about the current proposal.

Residents in the area said they believe a separate road needs to be built to access the school, rather than driving through the neighborhoods to get to the school.

Traffic and safety have been two big concerns.

The vote on a proposal was tabled at a Planning and Zoning Commission meeting earlier this month.

And CPS is asking to delay the vote again at the Commission’s November 5 meeting because it’s reviewing costs and another possible proposal.

“We’ve been working constantly with the city on trying to make one [proposal] that really makes everyone a winner, that everyone has each other’s backs and we’re trying to make it work,” said CPS Superintendent Dr. Peter Stiepleman.

If the city approves the request next week, the vote will be moved to the next meeting on November 19.