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Mounds View Planning Commission March 15, 2000 Regular Meeting Page 9 The applicant, Messiah Lutheran Church, located at 2848 County Road H2, has requested City approval of a conditional use permit and development review to allow for an expansion of their facility. The subject property is zoned R-1, which allows churches as a conditional use. Currently, Messiah does not have a conditional use permit. The development review is necessary according to Section 1006.06 of the City Code, which requires that any development, redevelopment or expansion of existing facilities be reviewed by the Planning Commission and City Council. Planning Associate Ericson stated Messiah has been at its present location in Mounds View since 1941, undertaking numerous expansions, and having changed buildings on three occasions in the past. He indicated the Church has been a good neighbor, and is providing a valuable service to the City and surrounding communities. Staff would hope that the Planning Commission would view the request for the conditional use permit in a favorable light. Planning Associate Ericson provided the Commission with a site plan that indicated the proposed expansion plan of the Church facility in the various phases of the proposed expansion. He indicated the building expansion, which is proposed in two phases, will be of brick and would match the architecture and design of the existing building. The first phase of the proposed expansion would involve two small additions, totaling 5,220 square feet, and a partial parking lot removal and replacement. The west single-story addition will be a remodeled entryway, and the two-story addition to the east will add a more spacious lobby and gathering area, additional classroom space, a larger mechanical room, an elevator and restrooms. The total square footage of the first phase of the expansion is proposed to be approximately 5,200 square feet. Planning Associate Ericson indicated that with the number of seats available in the worship area, staff anticipates that 75 parking stalls would be required for this site, and there are presently 165 stalls, therefore, the applicant is well within the parking requirement. He stated the parking area appears to be expanded quite extensively with this proposal, however, upon completion, the actual parking count would not increase beyond 8 to 12 stalls. He explained that after the first phase of construction, 188 stalls would be available, and the second phase of the construction would reduce the number of stalls to 176. He pointed out that even with the full buildout of the facility, assuming there would be additional seating space in the expanded worship area, staff feels very confident that the proposed 176 stalls would fit with the Parking Code requirements. Planning Associate Ericson indicated that while the building expansion itself would not be located within 100 feet of the wetland on the site, the parking lot would be, and this will necessitate a Wetland Buffer Permit. He explained that the plans have been submitted to the Rice Creek Watershed District, which is currently examining the drainage issues. He stated a rather large stormwater management pond has been proposed for the site at the back corner of the lot, outside of the boundaries of the wetland. He indicated staff has reviewed the drainage plans, and submitted the drainage calculations and pond specifications to the City Engineer who believes this proposal is consistent with the site, and acceptable.