Minutes - Planning Commission - 04/03/2008

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Commissioner Cleveland did not think that the church should be exempt from putting the trail in because the reason for trails is to connect the neighborhoods and she thought the church would want to be connected to the neighborhood. Commissioner Levine agreed and thought they needed to hold fast on what they do. Mr. Dufon wondered if the Park Dedication fees could be waived because of their long term vision to become a campus. Their intent was to create a site that will serve the public as well as church members. Chairperson Nixt stated they will pass this along to the City Council but he found it difficult to support. Motion by Chairperson Nixt, seconded by Levine, to recommend that the City Council approve the plat for Saint Katharine Drexel Catholic Communities, contingent upon the items called out in the City Staff Review Letter dated March 28, 2008 and have staff work with the applicant to resolve the applicants objectives regarding Trail Fees, Trail Construction, Park Dedication, and a second access. Motion Carried. Voting Yes: Chairperson Nixt, Commissioners Levine, Brauer, Cleveland, and Hunt. Voting No: None. Abstain: Van Scoy. Absent: None. Case #9: Request for Site Plan Review of St. Katharine Drexel Catholic Church; Case of St. Katharine Drexel Catholic Communities Associate Planner DaInes explained that the City received an application from Saint Katharine Drexel Catholic Communities to develop a 10,000 square foot church on the property located generally on the northwest comer ofVariolite Street and 161st Avenue N.W. The overall property is approximately 32.3 acres in size. Proposed Lot 1, Block 1 of St. Katharine Drexel Catholic Community is the site for the first stage of the church development, which is 3.6 acres. The site is currently vacant, and is bounded on the east by Variolite Street, to the south by 161st Avenue, to the north by large-lot single family development, and to the west by Central Park. The applicant is requesting approval of a site plan to construct a 10,000 square foot, slab on- grade church building on a portion of the property located on 161 st Avenue and Variolite Street N.W. There is a minor subdivision, conditional use permit, and comprehensive plan amendment being processed with this request in order to accommodate the proposed development. The site conforms to setbacks except for the rear yard setback, and revisions have been requested. Access is being proposed off of 161 st Avenue. Due to the amount of cars anticipated to be entering and exiting this site during peak times, one additional access is being requested. Staff is requesting that the second access be aligned with Xenolith Street to the south. Planning Commission / April 3, 2008 Page 15 of 21