Traffic and trust were key themes in the opposition to Mountain Middle School’s expansion during a hearing Thursday before the Durango Planning Commission.

The two themes helped convince the planning commissioners to oppose a proposed 9,985-square-foot expansion of the school on 31st Street. The commission voted 3-1 against the proposal.

As a result, the proposal will go to the Colorado Board of Education for approval. The city does not have final say because it is a school, and it is governed by the state.

The commission had to make a decision because there is a 30-day time limit for the city to give the school a decision.

Planning commissioners expressed some disappointment that a compromise could not be reached.

But the city staff members pointed out the building violated standards for size on a city lot.

“I don’t see any way you can change the site plan to make it work,” said Jan Derk, chairwoman of the commission.

The school proposed the expansion, in part, because Durango School District 9-R does not have enough seats for all the elementary students who want to attend, said Erin Patla, president of the school’s board, in a letter to the commission.

The Superintendent of 9-R Dan Snowberger spoke in support because of the need for seats for elementary-age children.

Neighbors made it clear they supported the education the school provides, but they raised concerns that expanding the school from 180 to 270 students would create additional traffic hazards. They also expressed frustration that school staff members have not responded to their complaints about traffic and trash.

“A lot of things have been promised, been outlined over the years, that have not been followed through,” said Stephanie Rottman, a neighbor.

City planners also recommended the commission deny support for the project because information to the city-planning department was insufficient.

“We were working with a limited and deficient amount of information,” said Phillip Supino, a city planner.

The school proposed a plan to add classrooms and a space that could be used to work on computers or build projects, said Rick Feeney, the school’s architect.

Aside from the structure itself, the plan also included green space for students in front of the building and 23 parking spaces, one for each staff member.

Previous plans did not include green space, and school officials pointed to this as an example of adjusting plans based on public feedback.

School officials and hired consultants argued the city had not received formal comments on their site plan, and they saw the city’s critiques about the safety of the drop-off zone and other aspects of the plan for the first time Thursday.

“We are still of the opinion we have not received comments on the site plan,” said Jim Ketter, a hired consultant to manage the project.

He also said the comments were nebulous and more specifics were needed.

However, Supino and Community Development Director Greg Hoch said they have given feedback on multiple site plans as part of the process.

The commission sided with the staff members on their efforts to work with school representatives.

“That this staff has not been responsive is absurd,” said Joe Lewandowski, a commissioner.

mshinn@durangoherald.com