Despite some community opposition, the Open Window School is applying to expand the enrollment cap set 13 years ago after continuously bumping that ceiling.

The school applied for an amendment to their Conditional Use Permit on July 9 that would alter three of the original 13 conditions set when the school was first granted it in 2002 – most notably the cap on enrollment at 315.

Initially, the school’s enrollment was only around 200 children, but it grew to 309 students by 2007. Since then, enrollment has consistently ranged from 295 to 314.

“We have no plans to build anything. I wouldn’t say we wouldn’t do that in the future, but right now, we’re not,” said school Principal Jeff Stroebel. “There’s not some secret plan to increase enrollment again in the next few years. It’s just simply the time after 13 years to ask city to reconsider enrollment.”

Residents were opposed then and continue to be, due to the traffic concerns.

Opposition and prolonged litigation stalled the school’s initial permit application in 1999 for three years. Cougar Mountain was considerably less developed when the school was first proposed, and the Open Window School was anticipated to have significant impacts on area traffic.

The school has undergone changes that have reduced traffic impacts, Stroebel said, including added entry and exit points, staggered pick-up and drop-off times with the addition of the their middle school (which starts and lets out earlier in the day) and after-school activities that dissipate pick-up traffic such that afternoon peak traffic counts are 30% less than the morning peak period.

“After 11 years of operation, the school has a strong understanding of the time, nature, and duration of traffic impacts as well as strategies for reducing such impacts.  The impacts demonstrably less than the city anticipated when the original CUP was granted,” he said.

A traffic study was conducted In preparation for their permit revision application by Transportation Engineering Northwest concluded that an enrollment of 375 students will have no adverse impact on traffic.

Stroebel and school administrators have also met with the Cougar Mountain Residents Association. But, the city reportedly did receive several letters from residents against an enrollment increase. However, Stroebel wasn’t surprised.

“There are longtime residents who are probably never going to be thrilled that there’s a school here,” he said.

There will be a public hearing on the issue on October 8 at 6:30 p.m. at the school.