Agenda - Council - 03/22/2022 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mike Stuedemann, 1478 159th Avenue NW,Andover, stated he is a trustee for St. Katharine Drexel Catholic Church. He outlined reasons for approval. He stated the block already has Central Park and the church building, the addition of PACT would add a community benefit to the area. The addition of a high school would increase the likelihood of bringing in new families. He stated as property owners,if the request is denied he was unsure how they would maximize their investment. He stated that development in the area is inevitable. Councilmember Musgrove stated the PACT Charter School wants the 18 acres. The farthest outlot to the north is where most of the wetlands are and where the water run off concerns are from. She asked Mr. Stuedemann about St. Katharine Drexel's thoughts on the section of land and the use of it. Mr. Stuedemann replied their intent is leave the outer out lot as wetlands. Dan Goepfert, 7601 163rd Lane NW, stated the location chosen for the PACT Charter School expansion doesn't seem reasonable because of the concerns already given about putting a commercial operation in a well established neighborhood. Kathy Reed, 21543 Jarvis Street NW, stated she is a long time resident of Ramsey and a member and trustee of St. Katharine Drexel Catholic Church. She stated the Planning Commission approved the rezoning on February 24, 2022, contingent on approval of the preliminary plat. She stated that the preliminary plat would include responses to the concerns raised over drainage, tree preservation, noise and light pollution. She was surprised to learn the EPB met on February 28, 2022 and voted against this proposal. She stated that representatives from neither PACT Charter School nor St. Katharine Drexel attended and were unable to respond. She stated more environmental studies need to be done. She pointed out the land will be used for something and all of this will need to be addressed. She stated with Central Park on one side and the church on the other,the addition of the school seems a good fit. She stated the church is committed to creating a long term plan for the parcel of land that respects its natural resources and the surround community. Jason Patrow, 16209 Sapphire Street NW, stated no one is against the PACT Charter School expansion but it isn't wanted in an area where it is going to create difficulties for families who live there. He stated he is an engineering project manager for a large design build contractor. He stated he deals with facilities of these and much larger every day. He know these require a retention pond. He wasn't sure if the church will require a retention pond also and by selling this much land to PACT they aren't leaving themselves enough land to build. He stated this property is different from the other schools because of the wetlands. He commented on the traffic and stated it will be considerable. The site plan also allows for 55 vehicles which he feels isn't going to be enough. He also sited issues with the site planned for the stadium with a 13-foot elevation change. Gary VanScoy, 5851 147th Lane NW, stated he is on the Planning Commission and is also a member of St. Katharine Drexel Church and is the Chair of the Building Committee and a member of the Finance Council. He stated that in discussions with the City regarding PACT Charter School that Chair Bauer and himself have abstained from the discussions even in Work Sessions. He commented that this is being seen as a benefit both to the school and the church because of sharing