Charter school in Farmington, Minn., wants to build on the site of former grocery

A charter school in Famington, Minn., is looking to relocate to the site of a vacant grocery store.

Farmington Planning Commission voted 4 to 1 to recommend approval of a permit that would allow Great Oaks Academy to build a school on the site of the former Family Fresh grocery.

The school, which has 192 students in grades kindergarten through fifth, now operates out of a local church campus, reports Sun This Week. 

The move is opposed by some local residents. Some say they are unhappy with how the building will be occupied, and others raised concerns about the effect on traffic.

The grocery closed in December 2019 and has sat empty since.

Great Oaks Academy Director Paul McGlynn says the school’s growth is outpacing the church space. He says the school day will run from 8 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. to end the school day before rush hour traffic.

The city will conduct a traffic study before the proposal goes before the Farmington City Council.