Agenda - Planning Commission - 09/15/2003 - Special Meeting

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The proposed Town Center Zoning Code does not specifically call out parking requirements for educational facil!ties, nor does the regular City Code. Generally speaking, on-site parking is discouraged in the Town Center development. Sharing of parking areas is also encouraged. The site plan shows I52 parking spaces. With 560 students, that is a ratio of one parking stall for every 3.7 students. On a square foot basis, there is one space for every. 463 square feet. Staff feels that the parking plan is acceptable and the number of parking spaces is also appropriate. However, as previously mentioned, Staff wants the western parking lot reviewed to make sure the visual impact from the street is reduced. There should also be a reciprocal use agreement tbr the western parking lot given the proximity, to the park west of Peridot St. The site proposes on access from Ramsey Parkway and two accesses from Peridot St'. NW. The project narrative provides details of the traffic circulation within the site which the City, finds acceptable subject to the Staff Review Letter. The applicant will be required to pay trunk sanitary sewer, storm water, and water fees in accordance with the City's rates and charges. It is Staff's understanding that the proposed park west of Peridot St. NW. will be used by the school on a daily basis throughout the school year. Staff [s asking for additional intbrmation from the' applicant to ensure that the park can fulfill other park programming needs for the City. As part of the approval by City Council, the applicant will need to enter into a development agreement with City. This agreement, among other things, will incorporate relevant items from the MasterJ Development Agreement with Ramsey Town Center [,LC that, will be obligations tbr the PACT Charter School. The following things must occur prior to the City releasing a grading, footings and tbundation permit: Final Plat approval of Town Center, Ramsey Town Center LLC and the City entering into a Development Agreement, the City and PACT Charter School entering into a Development Agreement, the appropriate securities and fees have been paid. For additional work to commence, the Town Center Zoning District must be approved, the Town Center Development Guidelines adopted, and C.U.P. must be approved by the City,. Fmxher review of the site plan may be required if these documents change substantially. Recominendation: As previously mentioned, the PACT Charter School is the first development in the Ramsey Town Center. Thus, this development wi'll set the standard and tone for future reviews. Staff believes very strongly that the Town Center Zoning District and Design Guidelines must be adhered to the geatest extent possible. It concerns Staff that the first development in the Town Center cannot comply with all of the standards envisioned for the Town Center. This thought is tempered by the fact that the City is reviewing an educational facility and not a commercial enterprise. Staff also believes a lot of the inconsistencies pointed out in the review can be mitigated in a satisfactory manner that is consistent with the spirit and' intent of the Town Center Development.