Broughton High to appeal parking lot denial

Raleigh, N.C. — The Raleigh City Council voted Tuesday to find ways to preserve land in the front yard of Broughton High School and find additional parking for the school.

The vote was in response to an appeal from Wake County school officials to allow the school to pave space in its front yard to expand its parking lot.

The council asked for a report in the next two weeks before making a final decision on the request.

Last week, the Raleigh Planning Commission denied Broughton's request.

If the lawn isn't paved, the school will likely have to build a parking deck, which is more expensive, school officials said.

The high school has 273 parking spaces, including some in the front yard. Most students park off campus. The expansion would increase parking to 399 spaces on site, which conforms to zoning requirements.

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

The site being considered is 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.

Last week, school officials spoke 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, a member of the 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 asked the school to consider other sites.