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In 2004, Guilford County Schools asked the City of Greensboro to construct a sidewalk on the western side of the Smith High School campus, along South Holden Road, in order for students to more safely walk to Smith High School. In order to install this sidewalk, the City of Greensboro purchased 816 square feet of area from the Guilford County Board of Education in December of 2004 for $11,400.00. After further engineering was completed for this project, the City discovered that certain electrical utilities installed along South Holden Road could not be relocated in order to accommodate the sidewalk. In addition, recent Americans with Disabilities Act requirements indicated that the location of the sidewalk would need to be modified, in order for its construction to commence.
The City is now requesting that GCS grant to it a permanent sidewalk slope easement (4,931 SF) and a temporary sidewalk construction easement (1,143 SF) to be located on the western side of the Smith High School property in order to adequately locate and construct the sidewalk outside of existing electrical utility locations. The sidewalk will be constructed entirely within the city owned area. The currently requested permanent sidewalk slope easement and temporary sidewalk construction easement are needed in order for the sidewalk to be adequately supported and for the ADA-required ramps to be constructed on both sides of the Smith HS driveway and at the southeast corner of the Vanstory Street/South Holden Road intersection.
The construction of the sidewalk on the Smith High School campus in this location will also require the removal of three 8” trees near the South Holden Road/Vanstory Street intersection. The City is proposing to compensate Guilford County Schools in the amount of $600.00 for the trees proposed to be removed. Please see the attached Diagrams A and B for illustrations that show the proposed location of the requested easements and proposed trees to be removed, as well as a copy of the recorded 2004 deed from the Guilford County Board of Education to the City of Greensboro.
The proposed sidewalk will extend the full length of the western side of the campus, connecting to an existing sidewalk located on the northern side of the campus along Vanstory Street. The stretch of sidewalk proposed to be constructed on the Smith High School campus will also connect with future sidewalk to be constructed south of the campus.
Staff believes that the proposed sidewalk and its construction will not adversely impact any educational program(s) at Smith High School. The School Safety Office has also indicated that the proposed sidewalk and easements would not adversely affect safety or security on the campus.
GCS legal counsel has reviewed this packet of materials and will prepare on approval an appropriate Deed of Easement to the City of Greensboro for all requested sidewalk easements approved by the Board.
RECOMMENDATION: The administration recommends that the Board approve the sidewalk easements at Smith High School as requested by the City of Greensboro and as described herein.
Attachment #1 - Site Map
Attachment #2 - Site Map
Attachment #3 - Deed
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