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7.4. SR 06-17-2019Request for Action To Item Number Mayor and City Council 7.4 Agenda Section Meeting Date 1june Prepared by Public Hearin� 17, 2019 Chris Leeseber , Senior Planner Item Description Reviewed by Interim Use Permit: Institutional Use (School) Zack Carlton, Planning Manager Inside Elk River United Methodist Church at 1304 Reviewed by Main Street, Three Rivers Montessori Charter Cal Portner, City Administrator School Action Requested Approve, by motion, an Interim Use Permit with the following conditions: 1. The Interim Use Permit will expire June 17, 2025. 2. Bus loading and unloading shall occur on Main Street or 41h Street. Parent drop-off and pick-up shall only occur in the parking area of the subject parcel. Background/Discussion Case No. IU 19-01 The applicant is requesting an Interim Use Permit (IUP) to operate a Montessori Charter School in the basement of Elk River United Methodist Church. The school would operate in the church for up to five school years as they locate and develop a permanent facility. Planning Commission During the public hearing, the pastor and board chairpersons introduced themselves. They asked the IUP be extended to six years (five school years), as they were uncertain if they would be operational in the fall of 2019. The commission had no issues with the six-year request and extended the expiration date of the IUP to June 17, 2025. Staff has not received any comments since the Planning Commission meeting and the applicant has no issues with the conditions. The Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval of the request. Financial Impact None Statutory Review Period Per State Statute §15.99, the required 60 -day review period ends on June 30, 2019. Attachments ■ Planning Commission Memo dated May 28, 2019 The Elk River Vision A PehoMing community Pitb revolutionary and spirited resourcefulness, exceptional P,` 01 W E H E 8 6 T service, and community engagement that encourages and inspires prosperity INAWRE1 River Request for Action To Item Number Planning Commission 4.6 Agenda Section Meeting Date Prepared by Public Hearings May 28, 2019 Chris Leeseber , Senior Planner Item Description Reviewed by Three Rivers Montessori Charter School — 1304 Zack Carlton, Planning Manager Main St. NW Reviewed by ■ Interim Use Permit for Institutional Use (School) inside Elk River United Methodist Church, Case No. IU 19-01 Action Requested Recommend, by motion, approval of an Interim Use Permit with the following conditions: 1. The Interim Use Permit will expire June 17, 2024. 2. Bus loading and unloading shall occur on Main Street or 4"' Street. - 3. Parent drop-off and pick-up shall only occur in the parking area of the subject parcel. Background/Discussion The property is zoned R1 -c Single Family Residential and is RR surrounded by single-family residential lots and city street infrastructure. The RI -c district requires a Conditional Use Permit Hwy 10 (CUP) for Institutional Uses. The applicant is requesting an Interim Use Permit (IUP) to operate a Montessori Charter School in the basement of the Elk River United Methodist Church. The applicant's desire is to be located in their own facility in the future. They are requesting an IUP for a period of five years, which will provide them with the time needed to locate and develop a permanent facility. CR 33 3 • CR 12 Comprehensive Plan Figure i The Comprehensive Plan guides the property for urban residential uses and Institutional Uses are an allowed use in residential districts. 19 y" X69 Parking/ Circulation Churches require one parking space for each three seats, based on the design capacity of the main seating area. The main seating area appears to be approximately 2,500 sgft in size, which would yield 357 patrons. Per ordinance, 119 parking stalls are required for the church. The Elk River Vision A n.,elcoming community n ith revolutionary and spirited resourcefulness, exceptional P 0 N E 8 E 0 0 r service, and community engagement that encourages and inspires prosperity [NAWR � Public elementary schools, junior high schools, or similar private schools require two parking spaces for each classroom. Ten classrooms are shown on the submitted plans. This would equate to 20 parking stalls for the Montessori school. The site has 65 parking stalls on site with on -street parking available. While the functions of church services and the school typically do not overlap, there will be occasions when church events will occur during school time, such as funerals, requiring 139 parking stalls. On-site parking does not account for half of this. The church has been in operation for many decades and staff is unaware of any on-going traffic or parking issues. The site plan submitted indicates bus drop-off and pick-up will enter the site from 4`'' Street and exit onto Main Street. Staff questions if there is enough room for bus movements in the parking lot. The plan also shows the parent drop-off and pick-up will occur on the south side of 4"' Street. Staff recommends this occur in the parking lot. Staff has concerns with introducing a new use to an existing use that does not currently meet certain ordinances requirements. These concerns are in the event of overlapping functions, the amount of traffic, lack of parking, and possible conflict with student drop-off and pick-up on any public street. Building Staff continues to work with the applicant and property owner on building code questions to verify the school use can occur in the basement. Applicable Regulation Before the city council may authorize an interim use, it must make the following findings: 1. The period of time for n�hich the interim use permit is to be granted mill terminate before any adverse impacts are felt upon adjacentproperties. The use is intended to be temporary until the applicant can find a permanent location to operate the school. The church has been in operation for many years and staff does not foresee any adverse impacts with having school functions operate, on an interim basis, in the existing structure. 2. There is adequate assurance that the property will be left in suitable condition after the use is terminated. The use is proposed in a fully developed space/site and will be left in the same condition. 3. The use is similar to uses allon�ed in the Zoning district in mhich the property is located. Institutional Uses are an allowed use in the R1 -c zoning district. 4. The date or event that mill terminate the use can be identified n4th certainty. The applicant states the use will last up to 5 years. Staff has also included a condition of approval that the IUP will terminate after 5 years. 5. Authorising the use mill not impose additional costs on the public if it is necessary for the public to take the property in the future. Additional cost will not be imposed. N:\Departments\Community Development\Platuung\Case Files\IUP\IU 19-01 Three Rivers Montessori Charter Schoo1\4-Placuung Commission\IU 19-01 sr PC 5-28-19.docx 6. The applicant and user agree to all conditions that the city council deems appropriate for authorisation of the interim use. The applicant and user agree to all conditions. 7. The applicant provides assurances deemed adequate by the city council that the use mill terminate as provided in the interim use permit. The city council may require the applicant to deposit a cash amount n.'ith the city, orprovide some other form of security, to ensure compliance n.,ith this criteria. The termination timeline and establishment of a permanent facility is deemed adequate. 8. Authori.Zation of the interim use mill not result in adverse effects on the public health, safety, or n elfare. The church has been in operation for many years and staff is unaware of any issues and does not foresee any adverse impacts with having school functions operate, for an interim time, in an existing structure. The proposed use should not result in adverse effects on the public health, safety, or welfare. 9. The proposed interim use is consistent nvith the City of Elk River Comprehensive Plan and conforms to the city's honing regulations. The use is consistent and conforms to the Comprehensive Plan and zoning regulations. Financial Impact None Statutory Review Period Per State Statute §15.99, the required 60 -day review period ends on June 30, 2019. Council Meeting If acted on, this item will go to the June 17, 2019, City Council meeting. Attachments ■ Location Map ■ Applicant's Narrative ■ Site Plans ■ Building Drawings N:\Departments\Community Development\Platuung\Case Files\IUP\IU 19-01 Three Rivers Montessori Charter Schoo1\4-Placuung Commission\IU 19-01 sr PC 5-28-19.docx 75 0740 75-409-'0.360 4PI �75 0 0230 A Arm 7509-0215 75:409-W 0 75-409 all,"- 5- 205 SY4W0320 ap 7 09 .635 75- 9 630 -133 212 ,%7 4F 75-401) Three Rivers Montessorl Charter School Riverlilterin-1 U-1 Se Peril -lit Case No.- 1U 19-01 '— The Founding Board Members Leah Studaker, Lisa Andrican, Angela Guse, Christine Castagneri, Janell Johnson -Thiele, Sarah Ronchak, Troy Hanson The Board of Three Rivers Montessori, comprised of educators, businessmen, and parents in the community, are heavily invested in developing the first and only tuition -free, public Montessori school serving Elk River and the surrounding communities. TRM will serve K -6th grade, in its first year of operation. The Montessori Method is focused on the education of the whole being. We organize our work by building educational experiences for the head, heart, and hands. At every level we are cultivating curiosity and offering high-quality academics, fostering healthy social and emotional interactions, and providing work that is experiential and hands-on. Number of Emplyees: 3-6 People: 3-4 Volunteers at times during the school day possible Hours of Operations: 6:30 am Before School 8:30 am- 3:30 pm Regular School Hours 3:30-5:30 After School Program Parking: Approx. 6-8 extra spots during the day What is being proposed: To open our Charter School at the Elk River United Methodist Church APPLICANT INFORMATION Legal Name of Charter School MN Charter School District #4266 1304 Main Street NW, Elk River, MN 55330 Three Rivers Montessori Charter School 501C3 : FEIN # 82-2803489: MN Tax ID # 5569264 DUNS Number: DUNS Number 081170447 IDENTIFIED OFFICIAL WITH AUTHORITY INFORMATION Name of identified official with authority to sign: Leah Studaker Title: TRM Board Chair Address: 19680 Ironton Cir. NW City, State, ZIP code: Elk River, MN 55330 Phone: 763-350-9100 Email: Istudaker.trmontessori@gmail.com BUSINESS MANAGER/ACCOUNTING CONTACT INFORMATION Name: Joe Aliperto Title: President Organization: Dieci School Finance, LLC. Address: 2151 Hamline Ave N., Suite 212 City, State, ZIP code: Roseville. MN 55113 Phone: 651-285-7676 Email: Joe(@diecisf.com School Philosophy: What is Montessori? Montessori is a tested educational approach that capitalizes on the individual's human drive to learn and the natural curiosity alive in each human being. It also recognizes and works with the fundamental human needs for autonomy and connection through freedom of choice within a prepared educational environment consisting of three-year age spans. Mission Three Rivers Montessori empowers each student to reach their full potential as engaged citizens within their communities through caring for our planet and each other, bringing forth their gifts to meet the world's great need. Vision Through the Montessori method of education and rich outdoor experiential education, Three Rivers Montessori school educates students to be curious and reflective, skilled and creative, empathic and compassionate. Goals: Ohtiorat btvironwwnt f 10rhoweped Student = fnyayed Citizen In the first year we hope to have 80 students, then add approx. 15 more students in the second year max if possible. Year of Pre- Pre- Gr Gr Gr Gr Gr Gr 7 8 9 10 11 Total Operation school school K (5-6 1 2 3 4 5 6 (3 -yrs) (4yrs) yrs) Year 20 15 15 15 10 5 80 Year 5 5 5 20 15 15 15 10 5 95 • We hope to utilize the gathering space in the upper portion of the church for lunch or on rainy days for larger motor area, as well as the kitchen for prepping our catered lunch, which will include a soup & salad bar and one hot item every day. • We will seek a partnership with the YMCA to set-up a regular swimming and fitness program for our students. In addition, we hope to work with Kelley Farm to set-up a farming program for our students. We are hoping to have a bus donated to our school so that we can meet these goals. • Our lease aid comes from State Funding; however, we are applying for the federal Charter School Start-up Grant Plan for Three Rivers Montessori Bus & Parent Pick Up & Playground Area at Elk River United Methodist Church Proposed Location Path off & up 75 -409-0140 I T- I • 75-409-0130 75-409-0135 0 Elk River United Methodist Church Plans for Three Rivers Ramp for EXITS Montessori Lower -Level Use Unisex Bathroom � Drinking Fountain Unisex Bathroom *X Office Nursery aff Bathroo Room � Removingwall to create bigger gg Removing wall to create Room 8 classroom for second E-2 bigger classroom for E-2 classroom (1 -3rd grade) (4th - 6th grade) Room 2 Total: 401 sq. ft. - Room 7 prayer For 20 students Room 9 Total: 563 sq. ft Room For 20 students Room 6 Conf. Rm Room 10 Creating direct doorway for TRM Special Ed kindergarteners Emergency EXIT This room will become the Room/ Sensory Rm. first E-1 Room 5 Removing wall and classroom (1 -3rd grade) enlarging room for Total: 408 sq. ft.i TRM Director's Office&Secretary Kindergarten classroom For 20 students Office Room 4 Total 407 sq. ft. Room 3: For 20 Kindergarteners *X