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PL 01/04/2006 - 00028543CITY OF FRIDLEY PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING JANUARY 4TH, 2006 CALL TO ORDER: Chairperson Savage called the regular meeting of the Planning Commission to order at 7:30 p.m. ROLL CALL: Members Present: Brad Dunham, Leroy Oquist, Dean Saba, Diane Savage, David Kondrick, Larry Kuechle, Barbara Johns Others Present: Stacy Stromberg, City Planner Brother Milton Barker, Totino Grace High School Steve Maurelli, RSP Architects APPROVE HRA COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES - December 21, 2005. MOTION by Commissioner Kuechle, seconded by Commissioner Johns, to approve the minutes as presented. UPON UNANIMOUS VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SAVAGE DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. PUBLIC HEARINGS: MOTION by Commissioner Kondrick, seconded by Commissioner Saba, to open the public hearing. UPON UNANIMOUS VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SAVAGE DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED AND THE PUBLIC HEARING OPENED AT 7:35 P.M. 1. Consideration of a Special Use Permit SP#06-01, bv RSP Architects, for Totino Grace Hiph School, to allow an existinp private school to exist as a special use in an R-1, sinple familv zoninp district, aenerallv located at 1350 Gardena Avenue. Ms. Stromberg, City Planner, presented a request from Mr. Maurelli of RSP Architects, who is representing Totino Grace High School, who is seeking a special use permit to allow an existing private school to exist as a special use in an R-1, Single Family zoning district, located at 1350 Gardena Avenue. Ms. Stromberg reviewed that the e�cisting private school has been in existence in this location since the school was constructed in 1965. However, a special use permit has never been obtained for the school. This special use permit request is coming to us at this time because the school is seeking a variance and building permit to renovate the school auditorium. Ms. Stromberg stated that the school was constructed in 1965, with an addition constructed in 1977. Totino Grace is a co-educational Catholic high school, which provides education to approximately 1,020 children in grades 9-12. In 2003, the City Council approved a variance request, by Totino Grace High School, to reduce the width of parking stalls from 10 ft. to 9 ft. to Planning Commission January 4, 2006 Page 4 of 4 allow an expansion of a parking lot. This increased the parking lot by 70 parking stalls. In 1999, a special use permit was issued for the properry to allow the school to upgrade the existing track and field facility. Although a special use permit was approved at this time, it was for the track and field facility only and not the school as a whole. Ms. Stromberg stated that private schools are permitted special use in the R-1, Single Family zoning district, provided that the proposed expansion complies with the requirements for the special use permit, subject to the stipulations suggested by staff. Totino Grace has existed on this site since 1965; however, the special use permit has never been obtained for the school. Therefore, the petitioner is seeking this special use permit. Ms. Stromberg stated that currently the property complies with all setback and lot coverage requirements. In addition to this special use permit request, the petitioner is also seeking a variance to increase the height of the existing auditorium. The auditorium is located approximately in the center of the existing school building. City Code requires a 30 ft. maximum height in the R-1, Single Family zoning district and the petitioner is seeking to increase that height requirement to 48 ft. only in the location of the auditorium within the school building. Ms. Stromberg said that this variance will allow the renovation of the school auditorium, by increasing the height and increasing the number of seats. However, the building footprint will not change. The reason for the height increase is to create a functional theatre in which theatrical, choral, or orchestral productions can be better produced. By increasing the height of the space in the theater, the theatre will better be able to accommodate production catwalks, increase the proscenium opening and allow a fly loft over the stage, all of which will better service the school and their productions. The reason the number of seats will increase within the auditorium is because the fly loft will allow a more efficient type of storage system, which will in turn allow the existing stage to be reduced in size. This variance request will go before the Appeals Commission on January 11, 2006. Ms. Stromberg stated currently Totino Grace parking lot holds 366 parking stalls which fall short of building code by 8 stalls. If this auditorium space is increased, Totino Grace will need to bring their parking lot in compliance with city code. Ms. Stromberg stated that City Staff recommends approval of this special use permit request as private schools are permitted special use in the R-1, Single-Family zoning district, subject to the following stipulations. 1. The petitioner shall obtain all necessary permits prior to construction. 2. The petitioner shall meet all building, fire, and ADA requirements. 3. The subject property shall be maintained free of any and all construction debris. 4. Construction vehicles shall not bring materials before 7:00 a.m. or after 9:00 p.m. 5. The addition shall be architecturally compatible with the existing building and finished with complementary e�erior building materials and color scheme. 6. At the time the square footage fo any of the school buildings are expanded, teh property shall come into compliance with all parking code requirements. Ms. Stromberg stated that the City has received three resident calls regarding this issue. One had no concerns, one had parking concerns and one was supportive of the school and the special use permit/project. Commissioner Savage asked for clarification that this special use permit is needed because of the variance. Ms. Stromberg stated that yes, if special use permit request is coming to us as a result of the Planning Commission January 4, 2006 Page4of4 auditorium renovation and subsequent variance request. When the special use permit was granted in 1999, it was for the track and field project only and not for the entire school. Therefore, a new special use permit is needed at this time. Commissioner Oquist asked if this special use permit needed the presenting stipulations or if the stipulations were only revelant to the variance request. Ms. Stromberg replied that the City can put stipulations on any land use item and that City Staff routinely applies the same stipulations to all land use requests by a given petitioner to remain consistent. Commissioner Kondrick, questioned the second stipulation regarding meeting all building, fire and ADA requirements and if the school currently met this stipulation. Ms. Stromberg stated that the new auditorium will need to meet all building, fire and ADA requirements. When we have a request like this we routinely make sure that the parking lot is also checked for ADA compliance, however, she was unsure if the other areas of the school currently meet building, fire and ADA requirements. Mr. Maurelli, of RSP Architects, stated he had nothing to add to the presentation. Commissioner Savage questioned if Mr. Maurelli had any problems with the stipulations. Mr. Maurelli stated that he did not have any problems with the stipulations. Commissioner Kuechle asked if Mr. Maurelli could clarify stipulation number two and if he was aware if the school met building code requirements. Mr. Maurelli stated that he has not looked at the entire building. He is aware that currently the auditorium does not meet ADA requirements but will afiter renovation. As they renovate the school, they are bringing the areas into compliance. Mr. Maurelli is assuming that he does not need to bring the entire 140,000 square feet building up to ADA requirements and that this stipulation would just apply the auditorium area. Ms. Stromberg stated that this stipulation is specific for the auditorium, however the parking will be checked and any other areas the building official or fire marshal would like to inspect. Mr. Maurelli has spoke to the fire marshal regarding installing a sprinkler system in the school and auditorium. Brother Milton Barker, of Totino Grace High School, stated that he was surprised a special use permit was needed for this renovation as they have been in compliance for over 40 years and have completed several projects in the last 10 years. To his knowledge, the last renovation of classrooms, office space and library were all in compliance of the ADA requirements. Three years ago when Totino Grace revamped the parking lot area it was also brought to ADA code as well. MOTION by Commissioner Kuechle, seconded by Commissioner Saba, to close the public hearing. UPON UNANIMOUS VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SAVAGE DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED AND THE PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED AT 7:48 P.M. Commissioner Oquist was also surprised that no special use permit was needed in the past for renovations and that maybe it was an oversight. Planning Commission January 4, 2006 Page4of4 Commissioner Johns suggested that stipulation number two regarding ADA requirements only apply to the auditorium and not the entire school. Commissioner Kondrick concurred and was pleased to hear that Totino Grace has been bringing the building up to code requirements as they renovate. Commissioner Dunham stated that he is a neighbor of Totino Grace and they have been a great neighbor and have a very nice facility. MOTION by Commissioner Kondrick, seconded by Commissioner Saba, to approve the Special Use Permit SP #06-01, by RSP Architects, for Totino Grace High School, to allow an existing private school to exist as a special use in an R-1, single family zoning district, generally located at 1350 Gardena Avenue, with the following stipulations: 1. The petitioner shall obtain all necessary permits prior to construction. 2. The petitioner shall meet all building, fire, and ADA requirements. 3. The subject property shall be maintained free of any and all construction debris. 4. Construction vehicles shall not bring materials before 7:00 a.m. or after 9:00 p.m. 5. The addition shall be architecturally compatible with the existing building and finished with complementary e�erior building materials and color scheme. 6. At the time the square footage fo any of the school buildings are expanded, teh property shall come into compliance with all parking code requirements. UPON UNANIMOUS VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SAVAGE DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED TO APPROVE SPECIAL USE PERMIT SP #06-01. This item will be brought to the City Council on January 23rd, 2006 at 7:30 p.m. 2. Receive the minutes of the December 13, Environmental Oualitv and Enerpv Commission Meetinp. MOTION by Commissioner Johns, seconded by Commissioner Kuechle, to receive the minutes as presented. OTHER BUSINESS: Ms. Stromberg reminded the Planning Commission that the January 18, 2006 meeting has been cancelled and the ne� meeting will be on February 1, 2006. AD70URNMENT: MOTION by Commissioner Oquist, seconded by Commissioner Johns to adjourn the meeting. UPON UNANIMOUS VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SAVAGE DECLARED THE MEETING AD70URNED AT 7:50 P.M. Respectfully Submitted by, Krista Monsrud Recording Secretary � ,^ �°`� CITY OF FRIDLEY SIGN-IN SHEET PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING � � �� _,� .� � Name Address/Business � '� .��N IT��