Reader files complaint with Maricopa County on new Autism school in Sun City West

I read the plea of Mr. Schuerman, CEO of Victory Autism Academy, in a recent online Independent to let a K-12 school into SCW. 

Mr. Schuerman conveniently confuses other types of facilities, specifically for the residents of a 55+ community with that of a K-12 school for special needs students.  He also conveniently ignores the traffic impacts of school vans and the necessity of new crosswalks, new traffic signs or signals or other safety improvements paid for by who?

The building will most likely require significant tenant improvements for fire doors, perhaps changing exit window heights, to accommodate children, not adults; maybe plumbing and electrical as well.  A significant underlying problem is the uses for our community, approved by the master plans, which are conveniently ignored in Mr. Schuerman’s editorial comment.  SCW management has been silent on this point; where is their advocacy for the community they are charged to protect?

I have filed a complaint with Maricopa County. Every use of a building requires a certificate of occupancy before it is used which states by its issuance that the building is suited for the use, allowed by zoning, and has appropriate life-safety improvements for the occupants.  This was originally an office building. It seems unlikely that an office building for adults would easily transition to a school for special needs children. 

This appears to be a ham-handed attempt to get a cheap space for a use that doesn’t fit with the master plans of the community, occupancy requirements for a school, or the “special characteristics and charm” of SCW so aptly identified in the recent strategic plan document.

I recommend that Mr. Schuerman take his school to a place that it belongs. I will be watching and will not hesitate to file additional complaints with local or state government agencies and any federal agencies involved. 

Please send your comments to AzOpinions@iniusa.org. We are committed to publishing a wide variety of reader opinions, as long as they meet our Civility Guidelines.