Agenda - Planning Commission - 02/24/2022

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approximately eighteen (18) acres in size. The remainder of the Subject Property, which would be retained by The Church of Saint Katharine Drexel, would be split into two (2) outlots, one about 8 acres in size and the other about 6.5 acres in size. At some future point, the Property Owner does intend to construct a church. That will require a new plat to convert the outlot(s) into a buildable parcel, a Conditional Use Permit (churches are a Conditional Use in the R-1 District), and a Site Plan. Concept Plan The Concept Plan shows an access point off of Variolite Street and two access points on 161 st Avenue. If the access off Variolite Street remains (potential concerns with sight lines based on existing topography and the likely need for turn lane(s)), a Cross Access Easement will be necessary as it would cross over the Property Owner's parcel. Per the project narrative, buses would access the school from 161st Avenue while student drop-off would utilize the ingress/egress access from Variolite Street. Staff has requested a full Traffic Study that takes into account not only the proposed school but also the future church. Per the B-1 General Business District, the minimum structure and parking/maneuvering area setbacks, where adjacent to residentially zoned parcels, is thirty-five (35) feet. The parking/maneuvering areas shall maintain a setback of at least twenty (20) feet from public road right-of-way. There are no specific parking standards for schools in City Code. Thus, Staff has requested a Parking Study to verify that the proposed parking (over 200 stalls) is sufficient. The Concept Plan also includes a football/athletic field and track, with stadium style seating, in the northwest corner of the Subject Property. North of the proposed athletic field is a residential neighborhood. The future Site Plan submittal will need to include detailed information about any proposed lighting and PA system. A bufferyard of at least forty (40) feet will be required along the northern boundary of the school site, which shall include additional plantings (calculated as a minimum of at least 30% of the required plantings). Parks Staff are looking at opportunities to create some shared parking and access between the school and Central Park. They are also exploring the potential, if space permits, to create a 'flex -use' field. Comprehensive Plan Amendment The Applicant has applied for a Comprehensive Plan Amendment (CPA). The Subject Property is guided as Low Density Residential on the Future Land Use Map in the 2040 Comprehensive Plan, which areas are intended for residential development ranging from 3-4 units per acre. The CPA would re -guide the eighteen (18) acres to Public/Institutional, which is intended for, among other uses, schools. Staff has contacted the Metropolitan Council to discuss the potential for this CPA and there were no major red flags or concerns that were raised. Zoning Amendment The Subject Property is currently zoned as R-1 Residential (MUSA) - 80, which does not identify schools as a permitted, conditional, or accessory use. Thus, a Zoning Amendment has been requested by the Applicant to rezone the eighteen (18) acres for the school to Public/Quasi Public, which does identify public and private schools as a permitted use. Alternatives Alternative 1: Provide feedback to the Applicant on the Sketch Plan and recommend City Council approve the requested Comprehensive Plan Amendment and Zoning Amendment. Without a Comprehensive Plan Amendment and Zoning Amendment, the proposed school campus cannot move forward, which would render the Sketch Plan moot. Alternative 2: Provide feedback on the Sketch Plan and based on said feedback, recommend City Council not approve the requested Comprehensive Plan Amendment and Zoning Amendment. This would retain the current zoning and guidance, which is for residential development (on sewer and water) with a density of 3-4 units per acre. Funding Source: All costs associated with this request of the responsibility of the Applicant.