7.1. SR 06-18-2018 EGty1� ,.,�� Request for Action
River
To Item Number
Mayor and City Council 7.1
Agenda Section Meeting Date Prepared by
Public Hearin� 1june 18, 2018 Chris Leeseber , Senior Planner
Item Description Reviewed by
Conditional Use Permit: Spectrum Athletic Zack Carlton,Planning Manager
Complex Updates & Expansions Reviewed by
Cal Portner, City Administrator
Action Requested
Approve,by motion, an Interim Use Permit with the condition it shall expire on June 30, 2023.
Background/Discussion
The applicant is requesting a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) to expand their athletic facilities on the
subject property. Commercial Recreation Facilities (athletic facilities) are not a permitted use in the R1-d
zoning district. The current use is a legal non-conforming use,which means the fields can be maintained
and replaced but cannot be expanded.
In the near future, staff will bring an ordinance amendment to the Planning Commission and City
Council allowing Commercial Recreation Facilities in single-family zoning districts when associated with
school functions.
Staff recommends changing the request to an Interim Use Permit (IUP) as the proposed use/expansion is
similar to uses allowed in the zoning district in which the property is located. Athletic fields are allowed
when associated with a school,which are allowed in single-family residential districts. The applicant had
no issues with an IUP.
Planning Commission Meeting
One commissioner questioned the 5-year IUP versus a 10-year period. Staff stated 5-year IUPs have been
our practice as they are intended to be temporary until permanent solutions are completed thereby
directing the applicant to a permanent solution.
One commissioner did not feel an IUP was a valid approach to reviewing as the type of use is currently
not allowed.
Another commissioner noted they would be hesitant to invest money in something that may not be
allowed in five years. The applicant stated they had the same concerns but were willing to move forward
with the IUP expressing confidence in staff efforts to include commercial recreational to residential
districts.
No one spoke for or against the request and no comments were received since the meeting.
The Elk River Vision
A PehoMing community 2a itb revolutionary and spirited resourcefulness, exceptional POWERED By
service, and community engagement that encourages and inspires prosperity INAWRE1
The Planning Commission agreed no specific conditions are needed to be imposed to satisfy the nine
standards for an IUP and recommended approval of the request 6-1. Commissioner Thiel opposed.
Statutory Review Period
Per State Statute 15.99 the required 60-day review period ends on June 3, 2018. A letter extending the
review period to account for the City Council meeting on June 18, 2018,was sent on May 18, 2018.
Attachments
■ Location Map
■ Planning Commission Memo dated May 22, 2018
■ Updated Narrative 5-24-18
N:APublic Bodies\Agenda Packets\06-18-2018\Final\7.1 sr.docx
Owner: Spectrum Building Company Date: March 23, 2018 Revised 5-24-18 Overview: Spectrum High School is requesting a conditional use permit (CUP) for the property owned by the Spectrum
Building Company located at 10129 181st Ave. NW in Elk River. The purpose of the CUP will be to further
develop the high school athletic complex.
Spectrum High School is a public charter school located in Elk River, MN. We were established in 2006 and
currently have an enrollment of 680 students. We are in the process of building a 7-8 grade facility and
anticipate our enrollment to expand to 850 students within the next few years. Spectrum is committed to
academic excellence with a strong focus on college preparatory curriculum, high behavior standards, and
service learning projects that are conducted throughout the community.
Spectrum offers diverse extracurricular programs in music, theater, and athletics. We currently sponsor 17
varsity athletic teams for boys and girls. We also have coop agreements in several other sports that are
hosted at other schools. Last November, Spectrum completed the purchase of 10 acres that are adjacent to
our existing athletic complex which includes fields for baseball, softball, soccer, football, practice running track,
and a locker room building. A CUP was granted in 2013 which permitted the construction of the athletic fields
and provided for field lights to be installed.
The current CUP request will allow for the further development of both the new 10 acres and the existing
athletic complex. Specific projects of the new development will include:
1. The addition of a west soccer/football practice field that will include a baseball diamond for JV games.
2. The addition of a new parking lot that extends west from the existing east parking lot.
3. A service road connecting the existing parking lot to the new west parking lot.
4. An outdoor bus shelter.
5. The expansion of the existing locker room building to include offices for coaches and officials.
6. The addition of an outdoor hockey rink – perhaps in partnership with the City of Elk River.
7. An expansion to the north of the existing parking lot.
8. Improvements to the main football field to include artificial turf (field turf), additional bleachers, fencing,
and a press box with a sound system.
9. A new synthetic – rubber track to meet NFHS standards to host meets.
10. The improvement of the current northeast wedge practice field to include a JV softball game field.
11. The improvement of the Spectrum Athletic Complex outdoor signage.
Since some of the property is located on a flood plain (outside of the flood way); structures will not be
constructed that would impede water in the event of a 100-year flood. Any bleachers, scoreboard poles, light
poles, backstops, or other fencing in the flood plain will allow water to pass. Building permits will be acquired
as needed.
Spectrum is excited for the opportunity to further serve the area with the improvement of our athletic complex.
Thank you for your consideration of this CUP request.
Sincerely,
Rick Peterson, Director of Athletics and Facilities