A project to add a two-story addition at a Silver Spring elementary school is expected to receive approval from the county Planning Board this week.
Montgomery Knolls Elementary, projected to have 515 students in preschool through second grade for the 2019-2020 school year, has been identified by the school system for a $5.7 million addition to add space for about 250 more students in an effort to relieve projected overcrowding.
Planning staff recommend has recommended minor changes to the school system’s plan, including the addition of bicycle parking space and that school and county Department of Transportation officials coordinate to address any potential pedestrian safety concerns in the area.
Montgomery Knolls, on Daleview Drive, was built in 1952 and was added on to in 1957, 1961, 1969, 1972 and 2010. A modernization project was completed in 1989.
The proposed project is expected to be completed in 2020 and will include eight classrooms, 28 additional parking spaces, and new bus and student drop-off loops. The project will increase the school’s maximum capacity from 537 to 681 students, according to Planning Board documents.
When considering whether a planning area should be in a building moratorium, Pine Crest Elementary School and Montgomery Knolls elementary schools’ enrollment are reviewed together, and the school district has also approved plans for an addition at Pine Crest to add space for about 180 additional students.
The county’s moratorium policy is triggered when a school or school cluster exceeds 120% of its capacity. July 1, the areas around four clusters of elementary, middle and high schools and 13 individual elementary schools were placed in moratorium, restricting residential building.
Caitlynn Peetz can be reached at caitlynn.peetz@moco360.media
