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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05.30.23 Special Planning MinutesCITY OF FARMINGTON PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES SPECIAL MEETING May 30, 2023 1. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by Chair Rotty at 6:00 p.m. Members Present: Rotty, Tesky, Windschitl, Lehto, McAbee Members Absent: None Staff Present: Tony Wippler - Planning Manager Others Present: Paul McGlynn, Margie Wesling, Cullen O'Neil, Rick Nelson, Kevin Holm (LHB) - Great Oaks Academy Steve Wellington, Kim Donat, Kori De Jong - Wellington Management 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES None 3. PUBLIC HEARINGS None 4. DISCUSSION 4.1 Discussion with Great Oaks Academy Chair Rotty opened the meeting by setting his expectations for the meeting. This is meant to be a discussion between the Commission and Great Oaks Academy. He does not anticipate any action being taken at this meeting. Introductions were made. Rick Nelson addressed the Commission stating the goal of this discussion is to try to laser focus the plan that Great Oaks Academy will be bringing back to the Commission as something that addresses the concerns the Commission has to ultimately get approval of the CUP. They are hoping to get a better understanding of what the Planning Commission is looking to see from them in the application. Paul McGlynn stated that they want to go into the June meeting with a full understanding of the Findings of Facts and other comments and want to make sure they meet all the criteria of the conditional use permit correctly and that their planning is more thorough. An updated traffic study will be forthcoming shortly. Kevin Holm, LHB, stated the primary change in the site plan is the location of the gymnasium. It has been shifted more north and east, opening up the center of the site more. The plan also shows a future high school addition on the north end of the gymnasium addition. The plan does show the access easement through the center of the site, extending from Elm Street to the businesses located toward the rear of the site. The plan maintains this easement. The plan is to restrict and control the access with this plan. Chair Rotty does have concern regarding the speed bumps that have been put in place and because of that have cut off the access to the businesses in the back. Commissioner Tesky appreciates the changes that were shown with the updated site plan. She understands the need for the drive aisle. Commissioner Windschid inquired if the drive aisle will be open at all times to the general public. Representatives from Great Oaks stated yes. Rick Nelson mentioned that the dance studio hours never conflict with the school's hours and that their main concern was the location of the proposed addition blocking the view of their building. With the shifting of the building that has alleviated their concern. The school has also offered to allow them to have signage on the existing monument sign along Elm Street. Paul McGlynn explained how drop off and pick up will function with the proposed site plan. Mr. McGlynn indicated that the latest submittal includes specific information on drop and pick up times. Chair Rotty inquired what the maximum enrollment of the school will be. It will be 840 students. Safety features within the building will include cameras on each side of the doors and locked doors that require a fob to be let in. Once in there is a monitor and camera and then would be buzzed into the lobby of the office. Visitors would not have direct access to the students. Chair Rotty inquired if there would be any student crossing between the buildings throughout the day. Mr. McGlynn stated they want to minimize that as much as practical. The elementary school is effectively self- contained there may be some middle school crossing into the elementary space during construction of the gymnasium. Commissioner Lehto inquired about the northern green space and what that would be used for. It would be used for passive space and is currently fenced in. The proposed green space along Elm Street is mainly for aesthetics. Commission Lehto inquired why the school was not pursuing to build to the north of the existing grocery store building where the green space is. Mr. O'Neil explained it would be extremely cost prohibitive to build in that location based on the footprint that is available there. Commissioner Windschitl asked if the school ever looked at constructing the gymnasium where the existing play ground is located. That was never considered as it would require students to cross the parking lot and drive aisle and that would be undesirable. Commissioner Windschitl inquired if the school had any interest in acquiring the retail building that the dance studio is located in. It would be a long short based on the amount of funding they can get through bonding and it was not something that they seriously considered. Commissioner Windschitl inquired if the fire lane has been approved by the fire department. This would have to be approved by the fire department if the CUP is approved. This fire lane is based on similar fire lanes that have been constructed in other locations. Mr. Nelson did mention that as the school grows the amount of parent drop off and pick up will be reduced as the busing will reach out further into the surrounding communities to pickup and drop off students. Chair Rotty mentioned that one of his main concerns is Elm Street, and it being one of the busiest roads in this community. The updated traffic study will show that the aggregate numbers are similar to a retail situation but the patterns are different. The school will generate traffic twice a day where a successful retail will generate the traffic throughout the day. The traffic study will also show the need for a right turn lane into the school property off of Elm Street by the time the High School would be built. As part of this application, it includes the @Bat space for 3 additional elementary classrooms. This is a critical part of the application as construction for these three classrooms would need to start yet this year to be ready for the next school year. The Commission does have some latitude and could split the @Bat space off as a separate motion and action. S. ADJOURN MOTION by Windschitl, second by Lehto to adjourn at 7:15 p.m. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. Respectfully submitted, Tony Wippler Planning Manager