From PhillyVoice · · 1m 40s
Lankenau High School Zoning Bills
City Council pushes zoning bills to save Lankenau High School from closure.
In brief
City Council pushes zoning bills to save Lankenau High School from closure. Two zoning bills introduced to City Council aim to prevent Lankenau High School from being used for non-educational purposes as it closes next year. Originally reported by PhillyVoice.
Zoning Bills Target Lankenau High School
Two zoning bills introduced to City Council would make it difficult for Lankenau High School to be used for non-educational purposes.
Lankenau High School Closure Plan
Lankenau High School, the city's only environmental magnet school, is scheduled to close next year as part of a 10-year $3 billion facilities plan.
Zoning Restrictions Proposed
The first bill would rezone the area around Lankenau for civic, educational and medical use to prevent residential or retail development.
Environmental Overlay Expansion
A second bill would extend the Roxborough environmental overlay to specifically include Lankenau High School's permitted uses.
Schuylkill Center Challenge
The Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education claims it sold the building in 1973 under educational use conditions and can re-purchase it if broken.
District's Plan for Environmental Education
The district plans to continue environmental education for students across Philadelphia starting in the 2028-29 school year.
Schuylkill Center Concerns
The Schuylkill Center says the district's plan will duplicate services it already provides for the area.
Councilmember's Support
Joshua Cohen, chief of staff for Councilmember Curtis Jones Jr., expects the measure to receive unanimous support when voted on Thursday.
Lankenau's Future
Lankenau High School will merge programs with Walter B. Saul High School of Agricultural Sciences as part of the district's facilities plan.
What matters most
Two zoning bills introduced to City Council aim to prevent Lankenau High School from being used for non-educational purposes as it closes next year.
