HomeMy WebLinkAboutSWAHS Parking Changes in Viol of CUP POLICE DEPARTMENT
CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS
a, 14168 57TH STREET NORTH • P.O. BOX 2007 LINDY SWANSON
OAK PARK HEIGHTS, MINNESOTA 55082 CHIEF OF POLICE
® TELEPHONE: (651) 439 -4723
FAX: (651) 439 -3639
EMERGENCY: 911
March 26, 1999
Ms. Ginny Kruse
Asst. Principal
Stillwater Area High School
5701 Stillwater Blvd. N.
Oak Park Heights, MN
55082
Dear Ms. Kruse;
As I indicated in our brief conversation last week, I have significant public safety concerns
regarding the parking situation at the Stillwater Area High School. I was hoping to meet
with you this week as we had discussed, but have been advised that you had a personal,
family emergency and assume that that was why I did not hear from you.
While school was out for spring break this past week, I went to the high school and made a
tour /inspection of the parking lot. I was disturbed to find at least ten unauthorized
modifications have been made since the original Conditional Use Permit was issued prior to
construction. These modifications vary from fire lanes being changed and red curbing
painted over to 10 minutes parking zones in fire lane area, to changing no parking zones to
full parking. It was quite obvious that someone, I am told a security staff person, simply
removed signs and painted curbing to change designated parking areas. These changes are all
in violation of the C.U.P. originally issued. In my opinion, and due to observations made by
myself two weeks ago when school was in session, the unauthorized modifications have
changed the entire layout of the parking lot and have created a dangerous situation for
emergency services to respond. On at least one occasion, the road way entrance from Hwy.
5, which is no parking on either side, had vehicles parked right down the middle of the
roadway, solid!
At a recent staff meeting I discussed this issue with those in attendance including
representatives from the legal and planning departments. It was agreed that the School
• District 834 is operating in violation of the original conditional use permit and therefore, I
must advise you that the previous unauthorized modifications to the parking lot must be
reversed and the parking lot layout brought back to the orignally presented plan. I was also
advised at the staff meeting that when representatives from the school district originally
approached the city for the first C.U.P. they requested, and received authorization, to create a
parking lot smaller than that which was recommended. City officials were advised that the
need was not there for a larger lot.
To add to this issue, I am now part of a committee reviewing a C.U.P. application for the
ropes course located at the school. I can not support the issuance of any further C.U.P.'s for
two reasons. First, the school is currently operating in violation of the original C.U.P. issued
for the school. Second, I can not support a project that may draw even one more motor
vehicle on to the high school parking lot.
After you have had a chance to review my letter with whomever you deem appropriate,
please contact me and advise me of the intentions to rectify this problem. I do understand
that the parking lot is not large enough to handle the daily needs. But, my concern for the
public safety of students and staff at the facility force me to insist that something be done in
the very near future to get this parking lot back in compliance with the original plan.
If I may be of assistance to you in any manner regarding this problem please do not hesitate
to contact me. 1 await your prompt response.
Sincerely,
afY�
AL dy S on
Chief of Police