Language academy awaits final approval

A private language preschool program attached to a Sandy Springs church could get approval this month to expand into a full-fledged school.

Tabula Rasa now offers day care and Spanish and French instruction for preschoolers in a space at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church on Riverside Drive. The church in January asked to expand by 2,000 square feet, to create an elementary school program. Nearby residents have objected, questioning whether a 2007 permit allowing the school to have 60 children was being abused and complaining of traffic and noise issues.

Last month, though, the city’s planning commission approved the expansion but restricted the number of children to 220 and required the church to renovate the property and its septic tank to handle the increase. The school’s permit would expire in 2013. The Sandy Springs City Council is scheduled to consider final approval at its July 21 meeting.

- APRIL HUNT