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Home My WebLink About1114-20 Pinewood ElemMOUNDS VIEW PLANNING COMMISSION RESOLUTION 1114-20 CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW COUNTY OF RAMSEY STATE OF MINNESOTA RESOLUTION APPROVING A VARIANCE TO REDUCE THE SIDE YARD SETBACK FROM 30 -FEET TO 20 -FEET FOR A PARKING LOT, LOCATED AT 5500 QUINCY STREET (PINEWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL) (PLANNING CASE VR2020-001) WHEREAS, the applicant; Chris Ghormley of Anderson -Johnson Associates, representing property owner; Mounds View Independent School District 621, is requesting approval of a Variance to reduce the south side yard setback from 30' to 20', to accommodate an expansion of a parking lot on property located at 5500 Quincy Street, legally described as: PID: 08-30-23-11-0025 The North one-fourth of the West one-half of the East one-half of the Northeast quarter of Section 8, Township 30, Range 23. Subject to a highway easement made by Lawrence Toner to the County of Ramsey, dated January 14, 1939, recorded August I, 1939, in 1034 of Deeds, Page 333, which conveys, for highway purposes, free and clear of all encumbrances, the following Real Estate in Ramsey County, Minnesota; The Northerly 33 feet of the Northeast Quarter of Northeast Quarter of Section 8, Township 30, Range 23 West, except the East 265 feet. EXCEPT (Per Final Certificate Document No, 537396) All that port of the following described tract: The north quarter of the west half of the east half of the northeast quarter (N % W '/2 E '/z NE 1/4) of section 8, township 30 north, range 23 west, being Registered Land Certificate of Title No. 139863; which lies northeasterly of the following described line: Beginning at the point of termination of Line A, described below; thence run southerly of right angles with said Line A for 33 feet; thence run southeasterly to a point distant 70 feet southwesterly (measured at right angles) from a point on said Line A, distant 317.99 feet easterly of its point of termination; thence run southeasterly and parallel with said Line A for I00 feet and there terminating; Line A. From a point on the north line of section 9, township 30 north, range 23 west, distant 81.49 feet east of the northwest corner thereof, run southerly at an angle of 89°18'10" with said north section line (measured from east to south) for 36.48 feet to the point of beginning of the line to be described; thence deflect to the right at an angle of 90000' for 170.72 feet; thence deflect to the right on a 2°00' curve (delta angle 5°38'43") for 282.26 feet; thence on tangent to said curve for 149.14 feet; thence deflect to the left on a 2"00' curve (delta angle 5°00') for 250 feet; thence on tangent to said curve for 215.87 feet and there terminating. WHEREAS, the City Code, Section 1104.0 1, Subd 4(c)(1)(b)(ii) requires that, within the R-1 Single -Family Residential district, non-residential uses more than 2.5 acres in size, and abutting property in a residential district, shall have a 30' setback from the common property line, for parking areas; and, Resolution 1114-20 Page 2 of 3 WHEREAS, the property is Zoned R-1 Single Family Residential. The use of the property as a school, is a non-residential use. The school was constructed in 1956, predating the City of Mounds View (1957), and it's City Code. A Conditional Use Permit was approved in 1987 for a building addition (Resolution 2180), confirming the school as a legal -conforming land use. A Development Review was approved in 1995 for a building addition and site improvements (Resolution 4788). A Conditional Use Permit and Development Review were approved in 2001 for a building addition and site improvements (Resolution 5540), including the expansion of the south parking lot. It is believed that at this time, the south parking lot was installed with a 24' setback, whereas 30' was required. That area of the parking lot (6' encroachment) became an illegal non -conforming use; and, WHEREAS, the school district plans a 3,114 sq ft building addition and site improvements, including reconfiguration of its parking lots. The west parking lot (currently parent pick-up/drop-off, and bus parking) will be reconfigured to be a two-way drive lane, and ADA parking. The south parking lot will be expanded to accommodate bus parking and parking for passenger vehicles. This expansion necessitates reducing the parking lot set back, from 30' to 20'; and, WHEREAS, a Public Hearing notice was published in the Shoreview Press on January 21, 2020, and mailed to property owners within 350' of the subject property; and, WHEARAS, the Planning and Zoning Commission conducted a Public Hearing on February 5, 2020; and, WHEREAS, the Mounds View Planning Commission has reviewed the Staff Report, submitted plans, and has compared the request to City Code, Section 1125.01, subd 3 (Criteria for Granting Conditional Use Permits), and in consideration of public comments, makes the following Findings of Fact (italics): 1. The use will not create an excessive burden on existing parks, schools, streets and other public facilities and utilities which serve or are proposed to serve the area. Finding: The Variance will reduce the burden onto students and families of Pinewood Elementary School by improving parking lot traffic flow, and maximizing land area for recreation. 2. The use will be sufficiently compatible or separated by distance or screening from adjacent residentially zoned or used land so that existing homes will not be depreciated in value and there will be no deterrence to development of vacant land. Finding: The use (parking lot setback) will be sufficiently screened from adjacent residences by existing and added trees and shrubs. 3. The structure and site shall have an appearance that will not have an adverse effect upon adjacent residential properties. Finding: The appearance of the parking lot will be similar to the existing parking lot, and should have no additional adverse effect. 4. The use, in the opinion of the City Council, is reasonably related to the overall needs of the City and to the existing land use. Resolution 1114-20 Page 3 of 3 Finding: The use (reduced setback) is a reasonable request, and related to the need to improve traffic flow and function of the school's parking lot. 5. The use is consistent with the purposes of the Zoning Code and the purposes of the zoning district in which the applicant intends to locate the proposed use. Finding: The use is consistent with the Zoning Code. 6. The use is not in conflict with the Comprehensive Plan of the City. Finding: The use (reduced parking lot setback) is applicable to the following sections of the Comprehensive Plan (2008).- Transportation 2008): Transportation Goals and Policies Goal 2: Developments shall provide sufficient off-street parking to meet the normal demands of all land uses and activities. 7. The use will not cause traffic hazards or congestion. Finding: The use (reduced side yard setback) will contribute to the decrease in pedestrian and vehicle traffic congestion, on campus, and on Quincy Street. 8. Adequate utilities, access roads, drainage and necessary facilities have been or will be provided. Finding: Adequate facilities exists, or will be provided. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that the Mounds View Planning Commission approves this Variance to reduce the south side yard setback from 30' to 20' for a parking lot, with the following conditions: 1. The applicant shall obtain all necessary permits, including permits from the City (Zoning), Ramsey County (ROW), and Rice Creek Watershed District. 2. Plans shall be constructed consist with plans (p, C1.21) dated January 10, 2020. All improvements shall be compliant with City Code requirements, to be reviewed as part of a Zoning Permit for the parking lot. After all construction (building and parking), the applicant shall submit an as -built survey to the City. During construction or the preceding year, if determined by Staff, and in response to neighboring residents' concerns, the applicant will install additional screening along the south parking lot to buffer headlights from adjacent residences. Buffers shall consist of a coniferous shrub row 3' — 4' in height, or an alternative approved by City Staff. The buffer will be installed within one year, after direction is provided by the City. Adopted this 5" Day of February, 2020 ATTEST: (SEAL) �, e� Z �_, . Ga Stevenso , Chair Jo vaId, Community Develo'p"Iment Director