The facts, with receipts

A public K-7 charter school, Louisa May Alcott Community School, for up to 528 students at about 1250 East 1200 North. It plans to open in fall 2027. The site sits directly across the street from Hobble Creek Elementary: the two parcels face each other across 1200 North, about 68 feet apart edge to edge (our measurement from public parcel data).

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The Utah State Charter School Board approved the charter 7-0 on January 8, 2026, with a 528-student cap.

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Yes, 2650 South Main. Neighbors started a petition and spoke at the June 17, 2026 City Council meeting. The school's current plans are for 1250 East 1200 North.

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No. Utah law makes a charter school a permitted use in every zone. The city can deny it only if it fails an objective standard, like setbacks or driveway rules.

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No. Because it's a permitted use, city staff review the plans administratively. Written comments are how residents weigh in.

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Only if it's reasonably necessary for student safety. We think a study counted in summer, that never mentions Hobble Creek, meets that bar. That's our view, not the city's.

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Only to avoid unreasonable risks to health or safety. That's the one location limit in state law, and documented evidence is what makes the case.

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The state's Division of Facilities Construction and Management (DFCM), not the city.

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2,172 car trips a day, including 534 in the morning peak hour and 318 in the afternoon peak hour, according to the school's traffic study.

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The study says the site holds about 54 cars and the line will reach about 51. A note on the site plan says about 600 ft of queue area, which is roughly 24 cars. We've asked which is right.

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Widening 1200 North in front of the school, plus curb, gutter and sidewalk along the school's frontage.

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A group of Mapleton households, most within half a mile of 1200 North. We're not affiliated with Mapleton City or the school. Contact: info@keepmapletonsafe.org

This site is about one location: 1200 North, directly across the street from Hobble Creek Elementary. We'd raise the same safety concerns about any 528-student school on this street.

Petition names and streets go to the school board and city. Emails are never shared. Full details