01-26-11 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES CITY COUNCIL JANUARY 26, 2011 The City Planner reported that rehabilitation centers are allowed in the area in question by PUD Permit. He indicated that the building at 2905 Country Drive was originally constructed for office /warehouse use. Dynamic Connections is proposing to occupy 3,000 square feet of the southeast corner of the building and utilize the parking lot on the south side of the building. The Planner noted that the Zoning Code related to rehabilitation centers in the B -3 District would be generally applicable in this application, and that Code sets up a series of conditions and evaluation criteria as outlined in his January 6, 2011 report. The Planner indicated that staff's concern regarding the proposal is primarily with compatibility of a school for small children and the long -term intended use of this office /warehouse building. He also noted that the mixing of traffic raises additional compatibility issues. The Planner reviewed the Planning Commission's recommendation for approval outlining the conditions that they placed on that recommendation. These conditions include: Maximum of 15 students allowed; No curriculum that is focused on outdoor activities; The designation of specific parking spots to the school for the use of dropping off and picking up students; The installation of signage prohibiting parking or waiting in the drive aisle area; Submission of a site plan showing the designated parking area for the school. Blesener suggested that parking stalls for Dynamic Connections be relocated to the area adjacent to the building. The City Planner indicated that the result would be the loss of parking spots given the alignment of the drive aisle with the Country Drive entrance. Blesener noted that a portion of the building is currently occupied by a massage therapist and a psychologist. The Planner indicated that while these occupancies are less than typical for an office /warehouse building, they are office /commercial in nature and reasonably compatible for the office /warehouse use. Kris Worrell, Dynamic Connections, described the nature of Dynamic Connections which is a home school academy for children with autism. She indicated that parents will drive their children to school, walk them into the building, and hand them off to teachers /staff members. The student to teacher ratio is proposed at 1 teacher /staff member to every 3 to 4 students. Worrell reported that their population of students will be those with high intellect and low social skills. 4