04-04-2001 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mounds View Planning Commission April 4, 2001 Regular Meeting Page 4 ________________________________________________________________________ Commissioner Kaden explained the hope is that the parking expansion would alleviate the parking along Quincy. Mr. Mitchell stated that the only way to eliminate parking on Quincy is not to allow parking on the west side of Quincy Street or allow parking by permit only. Vera Olson of 5499 Quincy asked if there would be a main entrance to the south to encourage staff to use that parking lot. Ms. Gay noted there would be an entrance on the south. Ms. Olson asked if the main door would be relocated to the north of the school to accommodate drop off and pick up traffic problems. Ms. Gay explained there will be a new driveway and new sidewalk to get the kids around to the Quincy side of the building which is the main entrance. Ms. Olson then asked if the school intended to enforce the new parking requirements. Mr. Hames asked how many spaces there would be to the north for drop off and pick up. Ms. Gay indicated there would be 36 spots designated for pick up and drop off. Ms. Olson explained that staff is currently parking in that location and asked if the school intended to make sure staff did not park there when the expansion is completed. Carl Colmark, Mounds View Independent School District 621, stated he had provided a letter to Commissioners addressing residents’ concerns. He then thanked the Commission for its patience with so many meetings and apologized that no one was available at previous meetings. Mr. Colmark explained the school district had moved the parking lot up to preserve green space and the playground area is being relocated to the north end of the grounds near the wooden play structure. Mr. Colmark explained that staff parking on residential streets is a longstanding issue the school has been attempting to address. He then explained the problem will now be handled from the district office. He explained staff will be asked not to park on the street if at all possible during the expansion. He also stated that once the expansion is completed staff would be told they are to park on school grounds only. Mr. Colmark stated that if parking enforcement does not work once the expansion is completed he would be open to City enforcement of the parking by whatever means necessary. Mr. Colmark explained he went to the school at drop off and pick up time and it was a terrible situation with buses, kids and cars everywhere. He then explained the School District is concerned with this site and is hopeful that the expansion will eliminate most of the problems. Mr. Colmark indicated he would like to form a committee of residents, staff, and District Administration to work together toward resolving the safety issues such as pedestrian traffic, buses, and drop off and pick up traffic to make it a safer environment for the kids.