The settlement agreement allows the District to continue its plans to construct a new elementary school building at 12428 Concord-Hambden Road in Concord Township while making minor adjustments to its original site plan.

As part of the settlement, The District is immune from portions of the township zoning resolution at 12428 Concord-Hambden Road but agrees to: plant additional, taller trees along its property lines; remove plans to construct a baseball field; meet with township officials and the Lake County Sheriff’s Office to establish an exterior lighting schedule; meet with township officials monthly to discuss operational issues once the school is open; install a STS field in compliance with Ohio EPA (which the District had already been in the process of doing) and the District agrees to be responsible for any changes or reduction in quality to a Natural Spring at a nearby property – if the changes or reduction in quality is proven to be from a direct result of Riverside’s construction process.

Although a baseball field will no longer be constructed, there will still be an open greenspace area for children to play and exercise on the property.

“We are glad that we can finally put this dispute behind us and move forward with our plans to construct a beautiful, top of the line elementary school for the children of this District,” said Board President Jennifer Harden. “All residents in the District will benefit from these high quality school buildings, which will create a stronger sense of community, improve home values, attract new families and most importantly, develop and educate the youth of our community to prepare them for a successful future.”

The District is looking to break ground on both locations by late March or early April. Both buildings are scheduled to be open for the 2019-2020 school year.