Just last month, planners sidelined plans for a brand new Lehigh Valley Charter HS for the Arts for want of a traffic study. It made no difference that school officials had already agreed to perform one and implement all recommendations, or that even a month's delay could affect financing for a $27 million project. But at their July 11 meeting, when presented with a detailed study and forty arts advocates packed into Town Hall, commissioners quickly voted 3-0 to approve the project.

Traffic engineer Walter Lublanecki, who prepared the study, assured commissioners the impact of school traffic on the rest of the community will be minimal, primarily because its peak hours will be different than those of area businesses. There will be no morning bus stacking, and afternoon stacking will clear out in a matter of ten minutes. Twenty-five buses of various sizes will serve the school.

Andrew Twiggar, who wanted the project delayed last month, said he is "very satisfied by what I've seen." His own waterfront plans in Allentown received preliminary approval earlier in the week.

"Perhaps we helped you," said Planning Chair James Fiorentino, in an attempt to explain the delay.

Located at 321 E. Third Street in the heart of a growing arts and entertainment district, the three-story, 85,428-square-foot high school, will have room for up to 600 students and 54 faculty. The school bells are expected to ring there next year.