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

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Motion by Chairperson Nixt, seconded by Commissioner Johnson to recommend that City Council approve Mr. and Mrs. Edgerton's request for an Interim Use Permit, based on the findings of fact, to maintain two dwellings at 7031 173ra Avenue NW for a temporary period of time. Motion Carried. Voting Yes: Chairperson Nixt, Commissioners Johnson, Shepherd, Van Scoy, and Watson. Voting No: None. Absent: Commissioner Brauer. Assistant Commupity Development Director Trudgeon noted this would go to the City Council on September 23, 2003. Case #2: Request for Site Plan Review of PACT Charter School; Case of Academic InVestments, Inc. Presentation Assistant Community Development Director Trudgeon advised that Academic Investments Inc. has submitted a site plan to construct a two-story 71,350 square foot Charter School on Lot 1, Block 1 of the proposed Town Center sub division. The school will accommodate approximately 560 students fromiKindergarten to 12th Grade. He stated the school is proposed to be located at the southwest qua~lrant of Ramsey Boulevard, and the proposed Ramsey Parkway. He indicated the school is proposed to be located in TC-3, which allows for educational facilities as a conditional use permit. The public hearing for the Conditional Use Permit will be held at the Planning Commission meeting of October 2, 2003. The site plan will need to comply with any conditions enumerated in the conditional use permit. Assistant Commuoity Development Director Trudgeon advised the new lot to be created as part of the Town Center plat will be 5.35 acres in size. The proposed TC-3 District requires a Floor Area Ratio (FAR) of 0.5. On this particular lot, the FAR requirement would mean that there would have to be 116,523 square feet of building. He indicated the school is proposing to have 71,350 square feet, or a FAR of 0.31. If the area designated for playgrounds and tot lots are included, the FAK is 0.4. He stated since the TC Zoning Code is not presently adopted, and the fact that a school use has needs for open space for recreation and parking, the Planning Commission should discuss allowing a lesser FAR. He advised this is more critical to maintain in the retail areas, but they may be able to be lenient because this is a school. Assistant Community Development Director Trudgeon explained the proposed Town Center Zoning District has setback standards based on the principle to have them serve more as 'build .,. to' lines than trad~ttonal setbacks. This is especially important for the front yard since it is in this area the building~ presentation to the street is critical. He stated the setback requirements anticipate a mini rmum and maximum setback for the front yard. For the TC-3 District, the minimum setback is zero and the maximum is 15 feet. The side yard setback in the TC-3 District is 10 feet and the~rear yard is 30 feet. He noted that for the record, the front yard setback is located 60 feet from the lot line. The side yards are 220 feet and 100 feet, east and west Planning Commission/September 15, 2003 Page 3 of 10