The developers of a controversial charter school are eyeing a third piece of land in Alpine after residents protested its first two proposed locations.

Mountainville Academy is considering property on Main Street east of the Dry Creek bridge, said Ted Stillman, city administrator. A location on Healey Boulevard also is still being considered, he said.

"As soon as they have site plans and traffic studies, they will request a Planning Commission meeting," Stillman said. The next commission meeting is scheduled for tonight, but the developers likely won't be ready in time, he said. A special meeting could be called before the next regular meeting on June 6.

Mountainville board member Gaylee Coverston confirmed that the third site is being considered. Residents near the first proposed location at 350 E. 100 South complained that traffic congestion would plague their neighborhood if the school's plans were approved. The Planning Commission denied the site plan on April 4, but the City Council overruled the commission when it OK'd the plan April 11.

The city did, however, encourage the school's founders to look for a new location. The developers then began pursuing property on Healey Boulevard, but residents there objected to that site, citing traffic concerns.

Coverston referred questions to the developers, U.S. Charter Development, saying, "I don't know exactly what issues each site has for the city."

School founder Rebecca Whitchurch did not return calls for comment. U.S. Charter Development also could not be reached for comment.

Alpine residents have gathered hundreds of signatures on a petition demanding the state Charter School Board rescind the school's charter. The petitioners allege that Reps. Jim Ferrin, R-Orem, and Mike Morley, R-Spanish Fork, have abused their power and have "ethical conflicts of interest" associated with the school, as well as some Alpine city officials. Morley and Ferrin are involved with the company building the school, and the wives of Mayor Hunt Willoughby and Councilman Thomas Whitchurch are involved in efforts to organize the school.

Anna Chang-Yen can be reached at 344-2549 or annac@heraldextra.com.

This story appeared in The Daily Herald on page D1.