Nearby residents object to zoning change
Plans for a major, long-term expansion at Colleyville's Covenant Christian Academy are moving forward despite protests from residents in an adjoining Bedford neighborhood.
The Colleyville City Council on June 18 approved a zoning change that will allow the $36 million expansion, which could take as long as 25 years depending on fundraising campaigns.
Academy officials told the council the work, which eventually is to include football and baseball fields, should accommodate the school's needs into the foreseeable future.
The academy's enrollment goal is 855 students. About 650 attended in 2012-13.
Tuition at Covenant Christian starts out at $6,000 per year for pre-kindergarten students and tops out at $13,250 per year for grades 9-12.
Headmaster Keith Castello told the council the academy has the money on hand for the first part of the expansion, which will add parking and expand a building. A timeline on the school's website indicates that part could be done as soon as 2015, but would be more likely to finish in 2017.
The private school wants to add a football field that seats 2,000 and a 450-seat baseball field with a 377-space parking garage beneath it, among many other items on a long list of improvements.
The timeline indicates the baseball field could be built anywhere from 2015 to 2022, and the football field from 2016 to 2027, depending on capital campaigns.
Lighting issues
Bedford residents at the meeting said they purchased their homes without realizing the campus would expand over the years.
"I've been opposed to it for 15 years," said Gary Zak. "I did my due diligence, saw that it was zoned residential and bought my house. Since then the school has continued to creep in on us."
Castello said the school purchased more property near the homes—some of which are in Bedford—after it started in 1979. The land—in Colleyville—was open field at the time.
"I understand what they're saying," Castello said, adding that the academy has tried to be a good neighbor and helps advertise when one of the homes goes up for sale.
Zak and others said lighting at the ballfields and traffic are key issues for them.
Castello said the academy plans to use premium lights that have minimal spillover, and it is incorporating lanes to accommodate parents waiting to pick up children.
Parents of children who attend the school also came to the meeting to lobby for the expansion. Many said they moved to Colleyville specifically so their children could attend Covenant Christian.
The council unanimously approved the zoning change. Mayor David Kelly recused himself from the discussion and vote because he lives in the area.
The academy will have to come back with a lighting plan for the ballfields when it seeks final approval.
The school started in 1979.
