Loading...
5.7 PCSR 09-26-1995 ITEM 5.7. tiff of � lkRiver MEMORANDUM TO: Planning Commission FROM: Steven B. Ach, City Planner. it DATE: September 26, 1995 SUBJECT: Conditional Use Permit Request by R.E.P. Ltd. of Elk River, Public Hearing Case No. CU 95-22 Request R.E.P. Ltd. of Elk River is requesting a conditional use permit to operate an education institutional use in the C3 (Highway Commercial) zoning district. Location • Lot 1, Block 1, Auburn Commons 2nd Addition (the northeast corner of Dodge Avenue and 5th Street behind Indy Lube). Zoning'/Land Use C3 (Highway Commercial) /HB (Highway Business) Attachments • Memo from Police Department • Location map • Zoning Map • Site Plan • Letter from I.S.D. #728 dated November 18, 1993 Overview of Proposed Use The Area Learning Center is a high school diploma program offered through Elk River School District#728 for "at risk" students ranging in age from 14 to adult. The school also gives students the opportunity to make up classes in • the afternoon or evening which they failed at regular school. This educational opportunity was previously operating at the old city hall site 13065 Orono Parkway • P.O. Box 490 • Elk River, MN 55330 • (612) 441-7420 • Fax: (612) 441-7425 • which is located on 8th Street just east of Dodge Avenue (north of McDonalds). Along with that application, a letter submitted by the school district was supplied to the city, further explaining the program offered by the school district (see attached letter). It is staff's understanding that the students attending this facility will either be walking or driving their own vehicles to the site. There is not intended to be any school buses serving the facility. Police Department Concerns In reviewing this application the police department has identified concerns of possible loitering around the facility and possible conflicts with the surrounding neighborhood. Apparently, there were some reported disturbances at the Area Learning Center's former site on 8th Street. To help deter students loitering outside, the police department has recommended that the site design and landscaping be done in a manner that will not encourage loitering, and at the same time provide a visually safe environment (see attached memo from the police department). Site Improvements • Prior to this request from the school district to operate the Area Learning Center, the existing building was occupied by a church. During the occupancy of the church the patrons utilized an unimproved parking area, along with a site that lacked several improvements. Recently, the church has vacated the building and during this time the property owner has taken it upon himself to make various improvements to the property. These improvements include installing concrete curb and gutter throughout the proposed parking area, as well as preparing for the installation of various landscaping materials to help improve the site. A plan was submitted to staff illustrating these improvements for review and approval.. As part of this conditional use permit request, staff would recommend that the improvements to the parking lot be completed prior to occupying the building. Furthermore, any landscaping proposed along the east property line which is adjacent to existing single family homes include a variety of conifers which will provide year-round screening and between the C-3 property which the subject property is zoned and the existing residential immediately to the east. • s:p lannin g:p c:cu95-22 Recommendation • It is recommended the Planning Commission recommend approval of the conditional use permit request by R.E.P. Ltd. of Elk River to operate an Area Learning Center educational use with the following conditions: 1) The hours of operation be limited to 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. each day of the week. 2) The applicant provides staff with a landscape plan illustrating the proposed landscaping that will be completed as part of the various site improvements. 3) Additional drainage information will need to be provided identifying the drainage of the parking area and its direction of flow as it leaves the property. 4) All of the interior improvements to the building be coordinated with the city's building official in order to meet all building code requirements. • • s:plannin g:pc:cu95-22 Memorandum -/ -�/ To: PLANNING COMMISSION • From: CRIME PREVENTION SPECIALISTS, CiJNZ/EDINGER Elke River Date: SEPTEMBER 20 , 1995 Police Department Subject: SITE PLAN REVIEW FOR R.E. P. L.T.D This memo is to express our concerns regarding the above property development . Our records show that this area is a problem area already, therefore, we are concerned with the proposed changes . Our goal is to have the area more compatible with CPTED design concepts of natural surveillance and territorial behavior. We would like to recommend that the area be kept unobstructed by landscaping features such as clusters of shrubs and groves of trees, which provides hiding places and obstructed viewing from the street into the parking lot . Another concern is park benches or sitting areas . This promotes loitering. This area does not provide adequate lighting and would only encourage unsafe activities . This area generates youth problems and we feel that a different design would be beneficial at this point . • 13065 Orono Parkway • P.O. Box 723 • Elk River, MN 55330 • (612) 441-2324 • Fax (612) 441-8937 • • 0 81 . *az BZ . ......j — . (100 9t OH . :• Nee' '"'"rlf 0 1111t. lig Um/ 0 . 44 i'Si 41C Lin C crl cr) itsot 5 -1:s Z*92 ^, z9s .k.1vi. .... si. 0,4 . - L.zt (I) 02 LZt Z.= 0 • ,} ori0 •. Cc!.-0 „ tlyI . • il . 00 I . aU M R I 0 '— i9- 01 0 0iit h,s 4. N .- .-L L._ 1 • In ri _ -/4 ._5 E /i S E f2.t_..4 4 SC R J£ / ao . R.. off' River . • 5 axi Sort w i r e • • • • I • iJU-19--'93 THU 17:32 I 14945 P03 ll III AREA LEARNING CENTER Independent School District 728 251 8th Street Elk River MN 55330 241-3530/ FAX 241-3532 November 18 , 1993 To Whom It May Concern: The Area Learning Center is a high school diploma program offered through Elk River School District 728 . for at-risk students ranging in age from 14 to Adult . (We are soon to graduate a 46 year old ! ) We have students that attend ALC full time , plus we offer make-up classes for junior high and senior high students after their regular day school . If a student failed a class (es) at regular school . they have the opportunity to attend ALC after school , or in the evening , to make up the necessary credits they need -to pass to the next grade, or to graduate on time with their class . • Students generally are referred by their school counselor and must meet certain criteria ; i . e . , FOR AGES 12 - 16 - at least two grades below performance in local achievement test , or - at least one year behind in graduation credits , or - pregnant or a parent , or - assessed as chemically dependent , or - absent (unexcused) more than 15 consecutive school days , preceding or current school year . 16 - 19 - attending school , and at least two grades below performance in local achievement test . or - at least one year behind in graduation credits , or - pregnant or a parent , or - assessed as chemically dependent . 16 - 21 - not attending school (unexcused absence of at least 15 consecutive days) and meets one of the following requirements : • - at least two grades below performance in local achievement test , or - at least one year behind in graduation credits , or - assessed as chemically dependent . ' NOV-16-'93 THU 17:33 ID: il, X949 PO4 III 21 - Over - has less than 14 years public or non-public education (beginning at age 5) , and, - completed 10th grade , but has not graduated or received a GED, and meets ,qng of the following requirements : - eligible for unemployment compensation or exhausted benefits . or - eligible for income maintenance and support services , or - eligible for any programs under Federal Jobs Training Partnership Act , Displaced Homemaker Program, or Minnesota Employment & Economic Development Program. The Area Learning Center is open Monday through Wednesday , 8 am to 8 pm: Thursday 8 am to 5 : 30 pm, and Friday 8 am to 4 : 30 pm. No classes are held on Friday . The office is closed Saturday and Sunday . We have approximately 200 students enrolled ; many hold full time jobs , and schedule class days/times around their individual work schedule . During the day , Monday through Thursday, at any one given time , thcrc are approximately 60 students and 9 staff persons in the • building . Monday through Wednesday, (night classes) , there are approximately 15-20 students and 2 staff persons in the building . • MMON S., Drama ondUlllll rNot lh Line 01 the South 417.92 \/eel 01 /Ihe S.E. 119 0l N.E. 119, $ec. 39.1 9e Y -- 46S 21i to o0l is described „89'36'/5" E 3/9.28- __ � 1n m�f. » 16701P r �Zo m m o Z f P E � I 1 O a aL E J of O W r q" a' 13a0,00 N380 p0 m h .f i 0p P o--_------- - �., z o \ n o a 2 �1 o 5 TH S TREE T --�-- C ---589'36%5"E\ 279.17g--- `S001n /.inn 91 the SAF, 14 01 N.F. 1191 514 1�., ?41_�InL �Zo m m BLOCK a h .f P o--_------- - �., z - 2 � o I I I NO, Ib of EOSemenl to, 5 TH S TREE T --�-- C ---589'36%5"E\ 279.17g--- `S001n /.inn 91 the SAF, 14 01 N.F. 1191 514 1�., ?41_�InL LOCATION MAP 1 City of Elk' "River CAsc CU 95.22 ,00 a h .f P o--_------- - �., - 2 � I I I NO, Ib of EOSemenl to, "shelf and utldy ..,poses' described in Inst. # 1630953 l LOCATION MAP 1 City of Elk' "River CAsc CU 95.22 ` f7 in MOIR stsj d 6.94 II `p.\im illy 71Il'!�� ��iUM a_ (A� rAb 1111111111111��? ' `i� mi:!'_`�