Minutes - Council - 03/08/2022 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Environmental Policy Board (EPB) recommended denial because of concerns raised by residents. He stated that he failed to invite the applicant to that meeting but typically applicants are not invited because Staff fields questions and it is a public meeting. He stated Staff is requesting direction via a motion to approve Resolution #22-050 granting a Comprehensive Plan Amendment to re-guide a portion of the subject property to Public/Institutional, and a motion to introduce Ordinance #22- 15 to rezone a portion of the subject property to Public/Quasi-Public, both contingent upon approval of Preliminary Plat or a motion to deny. Mayor Kuzma stated he is a member of St. Katharine Drexel Church but he has no financial interest or benefit in this case so he will be allowed to vote. Councilmember Heineman commented that his children attend PACT Charter School but it is a publicly funded school and his children are already enrolled so he has no legal reason not to be allowed to vote. Councilmember Woestehoff stated that the guidance according to the Minnesota Department of Education states that a school of this size is suggested to be on approximately 45 acres of land. He also stated the gross building size was roughly 150,000 square feet for this type of population. He stated this proposal looks like it is closer to 115,000 square feet. He asked if the plans indicate a two story building. He also referenced the requirements for a stadium according to the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) and asked how the applicant or Staff feels all of that could fit into an 18 acre parcel. Senior Planner Anderson replied he would defer to the applicant regarding the size of the project in relation to the recommended guidelines. He replied the conceptual layout does include two stories which would account for the 115,000 square feet. He stated the conceptual sketch includes two areas which would account for potential future expansion but he didn’t know the square footage of those areas. Councilmember Woestehoff referenced the sketch plan and asked how much of the 18 acres would be an impervious structure or parking lot and how that would compare to other districts. Senior Planner Anderson replied part of it will be addressed if it gets to the next step with a detailed site plan. He stated Zoning restricts building covered surface, not impervious coverage with the exception of the overlay districts along the Mississippi and Rum Rivers. Justin Fincher, JB Vang Partners representative, the development managers hired by PACT Charter School, thanked the Council, Mayor, and residents for comments as it impacts the PACT development plan. He stated they welcome community input because with other projects they have done, it allows them to address areas of concern. He responded to Councilmember Woestehoff’s question by explaining the difference in funding from a district school and a public charter school and the process that has gone through by PACT Charter School. He stated a public charter school is drastically different from a public school. MDE is provided with all informational details they require. He stated he has not been a part of a project that has not been approved by the MDE and feels fully confident that MDE will approve this one as well. City Council /March 8, 2022 Page 5 of 38