09-12-2018 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES CITY COUNCIL SEPTEMBER 12, 2018 AFSA feels the location at 2925 Country Drive meets their needs because of the proximity to their Vadnais Heights location, and the capacity of the building to accommodate their projected enrollment of 312 students in grades Pre -K through 8. She noted the school anticipates 40 staff members working in this building during the school year, and 12 or less during the summer. The Associate Planner stated the applicant's updated narrative indicates they would operate six full size buses and up to 10 passenger vans, and they plan to keep their existing off-site location for bus storage except for the request to store three vans on-site overnight and a few on-site during the day. Typical traffic flow would be one-way around the site with employees arriving at 7:30 a.m., bus and parent drop-off traffic would occur from 7:30- 8:00 a.m. and school starts at 8:15 a.m. She noted that parents would be required to park and walk PreK-6 grade students in to the building, and Grades 7-8 could be dropped off. She explained that the parent parking area would be on the south side of the building. The Associate Planner stated that afternoon traffic would have half the number of buses, with a maximum of five buses. She noted that school ends at 2:45 p.m. and most staff are done at 3:30 p.m., so this would be done before the peals afternoon traffic on Country Drive. The Associate Planner reported that the applicant has also discussed having an extended day program, so some parents would arrive earlier in, the morning and later in the day which would help stagger some of the pick-up traffic. She noted that maximum enrollment in Little Canada would be 312 students, and estimated parent pick-up is 25 percent, which would be 78 students. The school has indicated that it is unlikely that every parent would arrive at the same time, but City Staff needs to look at the worst case scenario. The Associate Planner explained that the school was asked to show that if there are traffic issues such as stacking vehicles out on to Country Drive, they could modify the site to add additional parking or find a solution. She explained that the City Engineer has indicated that solutions could include adding a turn lane or by-pass lane to Country Drive, at the cost of the property owner.. She noted that the revised site plan shows the fenced play areas and grades 1-6 would be on the north side and Pre -K and kindergarteners would be on the east side of the building. She noted that temporary fencing is proposed on the north side until the school and traffic flow is established. She explained that there should be a determined timeline for installing permanent fencing included in the PUD amendment. The Associate Planner explained that the Planning Commission had requested a fence be installed along the west property line. She reported that several neighbors voiced concerns at the Planning Commission meeting 3