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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-04-20 NAC Memorandum1�41 NORTHWEST ASSOCIAT.-D CONSULTANTS INC COMMUNITY PLANNING DESIGN - MARKET RESEARCH To: Tom Melena Kris Danielson FROM: Scott Richards DATE: April 20, 2000 RE: oak Park Heights --- Stillwater High School: Amended Ropes Course CUP FILE NO: 798.02 — 90.04 The Planning Commission, at their April 13, 2000 meeting, recommended denial of the request by Independent School District 834 (ISD 834) for an amendment to the conditional use permit to allow for extended hours of operation at the rapes cou rse. The Planning Commission initiated discussion on the existing eight conditions of approval in anticipation of the annual review that is required as part of the CUP. The CUP allows for the City Clerk to determine the process for the annual review. The Planning Commission has indicated that they would prefer to be a part of the review process and would life to make a recommendation at their May 11, 2090 meeting.. Amended Conditional Use Permit The City approved the original High school CUP in December of 1991. The ropes course was allowed through an amended CUP that was approved in April of 1999. Representatives of the neighborhood directly to the south of the High school were present at the meeting. They expressed concerns with safety as it relates to the unauthorized use of the course. At times, when school personnel are not present with a class, people have been using the course. Residents have indicated that the gate has been left open and the access ladder down during times when the course was to be closed. Residents have called 911 to report trespassers on the course. 5775 WAY ZATA BOULEVARD, SUITE 555 ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA 554 1 6 PHONE 61 2- 595 -9636 FAX 61 2- 595 -9837 E -MAIL NAC( VPWINTERNET.COM Concerns were also raised with the overall site, especially with trees that have fallen down or impacted by the water level in the pond. Neighborhood representatives were also disappointed by the lack of communication from the school District on issues related to the ropes course. The neighborhood presented pictures and a video that highlighted some of their concerns with the ropes course. The pictures and video are available to be reviewed by contacting the community Development Department. The Planning commission did not feel that there was a compelling reason to extend the hours of the ropes course and recommended denial of the amended CUP request. Review The Planning commission reviewed the eight conditions of the existing CUP request. They felt that the School District should comply fully with the conditions as approved prior to the end of the school year or the ropes course CUP should be canceled. The review of the conditions are as follows: �. acces That t e r ope s o iw. b e y ea r r .�. eme rg e ncy m v An access road is provided to the ropes course that the School District maintains year round. iii wi r ope s w. ii'. cl o s ed :wi tim A, and M sh f The School District has, in the past year, left the gate open and an access ladder down when the course is not in use for a scheduled activity. Security measures shall be taken by the school District to issue that this is complied with. C. Installation of any future lighting at the ropes course shall require approval of an amended conditional use permit by the city council No lighting of the ropes course is being requested by the School District. d. Any changes to the ropes course, including structures, fencing, access or security measures, shall require approval of an amended conditional use permit by the city council unless the city council amends the conditional use permit to exclude recreational structures from its application; K The school District is following the condition by requesting an amended CUP for a change in the ropes course hours of operation. e. The hours of operation of the ropes course shall be established as occurring from 8:00 A.M. until 5:00 P.M. or dusk whichever occurs earlier, Monday through Friday, with no use allowed on weekends or legal holidays; The school District has requested that the hours of operation be established as 8:00 A.M. until 9:30 P.M. or dusk, whichever comes first, on any day. f. The final landscaping plan to be implemented on the ropes course site shall be subject to the review and approval of the city Arborist; The final landscape plan has been approved by the City Arborist. The Arborist will inspect the landscaping to assure that the plantings are viable, in conformance with the one year guarantee specified in the Zoning ordinance. 94 school District personnel shall work with city Police and Fire officials in training for potential rescue activities for the ropes course. All further use of the ropes course shall require written approvals from the Police and Fire Chiefs that adequate access safety and rescue plans are in place for the ropes course. The Police and Fire Chiefs have received copies of the school Districts safety plans and have given approvals that adequate access, safety and rescue plans have been put into effect for the ropes course. The school District is working with Police and Fire officers in scheduling a training activity for the ropes course. h. Annual review should be imposed as a condition of this conditional use permit to assure compliance and provide a mechanism to deal with any issues that may arise affecting the use of the rapes course vis a vis the neighboring properties in the future The annual review shall be required as directed by the city of oak Park Heights. The Planning Commission did not make a final recommendation on the review, but asked for clarification on the following: The school District should address the security measures they will implement to prevent the gate from being left open and the access ladder that has been left down when the course is closed. 2. The city Arborist has been asked to review issues with downed trees or landscaping impacted by rising water levels. 3 3. Written reports from the Police and Fire Departments that are required to address the safety and rescue plans shall be distributed to the Planning Commission and City Council. 4. The Police Department has been asked to address the issue of patrolling the course and responses to 911 calls. 5. The Planning Commission requested that the required safety and rescue training be completed by the end of the school year. 6. City staff was asked to clarify the issue related to hours of operation as it relates to the school calendar. The City Council did tie the allowance for using the ropes course to the school calendar when the existing CUP was approved. The school District has indicated that the High school operates a year round calendar for the High School. 7. The chain link fence, located on the south property line, was not constructed with adjacent property owners' permission as required by the Zoning ordinance. The School District will need to receive approvals from the property owners or move the fence back three feet. pc: Kris Danielson r� =I