Raleigh denies Broughton High request to add parking

Raleigh, N.C. — The Raleigh Planning Commission on Tuesday denied a request by Broughton High School to pave space in its front yard to expand its parking lot.

The site being considered was located on the 26-acre campus of the school at 723 Saint Mary’s St. The school, founded in 1929, is among the oldest of the 17 high schools in Wake County. The land being considered has been designated a historic landmark.

Broughton has 273 parking spaces now, including some in the front yard. Most studernts park off campus.

On Tuesday morning, school officials made remarks in favor of paving the space. Several alumni spoke against the plan.

“We know that there are already some parking places on the front, but that’s not a reason to build more parking places to even further erode and destroy the beauty of the front of the school,” said Ed Jones, alumni of the Broughton Class of 1953.

Parent Debbie Mann said the decision means her son will be getting up early to head to school to get a parking space.

“The front of the school is already paved on the right side. They’ve got a nice design to finish off the left side. I don’t see a problem,” parent Bart White said.

The Planning Commission had previously asked the school to consider other sites.

The expansion would have increased parking to 399 spaces on site, which conforms to zoning requirements for parking

One parking space per 600 square-feet of academic space is required for high schools.

A consultant for the Board of Education said it is possible the board will appeal the decision to the full city council. The board plans to rethink the plan to include parking decks or utilize space at a nearby park.