HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-04-02 Planning Report - Zoning Amendment & Interim Use •
NAC NORTHWEST ASSOCIATED CONSULTANTS, INC.
4800 Olson Memorial Highway, Suite 202, Golden Valley, MN 55422
Telephone: 763.231.2555 Facsimile: 763.231.2561 planners @nacplanning.com
PLANNING REPORT
TO: Eric Johnson
FROM: Scott Richards
DATE: April 2, 2008
RE: Oak Park Heights — St. Croix Preparatory Academy —
Zoning Amendment and Interim Use
FILE NO: 798.02 — 08.02
An application for an interim use has been received from Andersen Corporation and St.
Croix Preparatory Academy to allow for temporary use of a portion of the former
Herberger's space at the Andersen office building for the school. St. Croix Preparatory
is in the process of constructing a new school facility in Baytown Township that will not
be ready until Fall of 2009. The school would occupy the former retail space during the
2008/2009 school year.
The Andersen office building is zoned B -2, General Business District. Section 401.30.0
of the Zoning Ordinance provides for interim uses in the B -2 District, but currently none
are listed. In order to allow St. Croix Preparatory to move forward with this interim use
request, the Zoning Ordinance will need to be amended to allow school facilities as an
interim use. The Zoning Ordinance defines interim uses as "a temporary use of
property until a particular date, until the occurrence of a particular event, or until zoning
regulations no longer allow it." The City can put conditions on the approval of an interim
use to limit the time of the use in that district, which makes this the favored vehicle for
temporary approvals.
Staff would suggest adding the following language to Section 401.30.C, Interim Use of
the Zoning Ordinance:
401.30.C. Interim Use
1. Private and public elementary, junior or senior high schools for a time period not
to exceed two (2) years provided that:
a. Adequate screening from abutting residential uses and landscaping is
provided in compliance with Section 401.15.E. of this Ordinance.
' • •
b. Adequate off - street parking and access is provided on the site or on lots
directly abutting across a public street or alley to the principal use in
compliance with Section 401.15.F of this Ordinance and that such parking
is adequately screened and landscaped from surrounding and abutting
residential uses in compliance with Section 401.15.E of this Ordinance.
c. If outdoor recreation or playfields are proposed, adequate screening and
fencing from abutting residential uses is provided in compliance with
Section 401.15.E of this Ordinance.
d. Adequate off - street loading and service entrances are provided and
regulated where applicable by Section 401.03.F of this Ordinance.
e. Adequate emergency vehicle access is provided to and within the site.
f. The site is served by an arterial or collector street of sufficient capacity to
accommodate the traffic that will be generated.
g. The provisions of Section 401.05.0 and 401.03.A of this Ordinance are
considered and satisfactorily met.
2