The Keystone Heights City Council was told of plans to remodel Keystone Heights Elementary ahead of a presentation to the Clay County District Schools during last Monday’s monthly meeting.

Architect Paul Stressing told council members the school is outdated and overcrowded. Years of planning now will be forwarded to the school board.

“(Keystone) Elementary is kind of a unique, project as we all are aware and over the years how any project gets it's kind of interesting because when a project is developed, and when budget becomes a real concern, you see where a lot of times a developed feature becomes a knee jerk reaction.

“It’s like where's the most economical place to put a building, and where do you put the utilities, so I think the elementary school is a perfect example of that where things were just kind of put out of convenience – from electrical transformers in the middle of the campus to drainage collection tanks under the ground. A lot of people don't realize a lot of that is in a center area.”

Stressing said the 65-year-old school desperately needs a new student dropoff area and parking lot. He also said the current layout is like “a fortress” and is the project’s “Achilles heel.”

He said portable classrooms and a cafeteria that was built for 275 students and now serves 865 would be replaced with a modern room for 1,200 students that would include a theatrical stage.

Portables would be replaced with permanent classrooms that comply with hurricane guidelines.

In other business, the council voted 5-0 to approve a zoning request that will move forward a plan to build 55 new homes in a development called Country Meadows between Sunrise Boulevard and SW Nightingale Street.

The Keystone Heights City Council meets on the first Monday of every month at 6 p.m.