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

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Councilmember Heineman referenced Senior Planner Anderson’s statements that part of the reason this parcel would have to be rezoned is because there are strict zoning guidance for schools. He asked about other attempts that PACT Charter School has made for different locations and what options they have after that. Senior Planner Anderson replied his understanding was that PACT Charter School engaged in conversations with the City for property in the southeast corner of The COR. That was something considered but the City wanted to preserve that real estate to draw retail and restaurants to the community. He wasn’t aware of other discussions between PACT and the City regarding other locations they have looked at. Councilmember Heineman stated during the Planning Commission meeting residents raised concerns regarding light pollution, noise pollution, and traffic studies. He stated he understood answers would be coming if this is approved but asked if the studies show undesirable outcomes, if the City could use that information as justification to cancel the project. Senior Planner Anderson replied that is correct, adding traffic studies have already been provided to the applicant per the Planning Commission to incorporate into the analysis. He stated if issues couldn’t be resolved based on that study and if they couldn’t comply with code, that would allow for denial of the project. Councilmember Howell asked about the rezoning proposed tonight compared to what would have been done for Brookside Elementary. Senior Planner Anderson replied the two rezoning and Comprehensive Plan requests were similar for the two projects, however the Brookside request was larger than the current proposal. Councilmember Musgrove noted the motion that Mr. Anderson had in his presentation is not the one listed in the case with the Planning Commission’s attachment with a contingency. She wanted that noted for the record. She stated residents were concerned about the buffer zones and asked if the EPB had discussed that. She also asked about the size of the buffer and the materials that could be used to mitigate some of these concerns. Senior Planner Anderson replied that applying the general business standards, which was done for Brookside Elementary School, there would be a 40-foot-wide minimum buffer requirement along the northern property line. He stated they would look at the overall required landscaping for the property and additional 30% of the required landscaping would need to be installed within the buffer area to provide buffer and screening between the two different types of uses. st Councilmember Musgrove asked if 161 Avenue is a Municipal State Aid (MSA) road and if it gets Minnesota State funding. Senior Planner Anderson confirmed this. City Council /March 8, 2022 Page 6 of 38