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Oneka Elementary School Addition <br />Page 2 <br />B. Natural Characteristics of Site <br /> <br />The site is 22.8 acres, however, in total the White Bear Lake School District owns approximately <br />40 acres where the school is located. The property consists of the existing elementary school and <br />associated fields and parking. The property has a significant amount of wetlands on site. <br /> <br />4. ANALYSIS: <br /> <br />A. Level of City Discretion in Decision-Making <br /> <br />The City’s discretion in approving or denying a site plan is limited to whether or not the <br />proposed project complies with the Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Ordinance requirements. If <br />it meets these standards, the City must then approve the site plan. <br /> <br />B. Consistency with Ordinance Standards <br /> <br />Site Plan <br /> <br />Elementary School <br /> <br />The existing elementary school received City approval in 2004. The site consists of the <br />elementary school and community gymnasium. The applicant is proposing an approximately <br />10,000 square foot addition that includes adding five classrooms to the school. The additional <br />classrooms will create a total building capacity of 720 students. The applicant is also planning on <br />interior renovation of the school’s media center and surrounding area to create a ‘learning <br />commons.’ <br /> <br />Setbacks <br /> <br />All setback requirements have been met with this application. <br /> <br />Streets and Access <br /> <br />The existing site has access from Heritage Parkway and Oneka Parkway. The site has sufficient <br />access and the proposed addition does not require additional access. <br /> <br />Parking <br /> <br />The City ordinances require 1 space per classroom plus 1 parking space for each 100 students. <br />The existing site has two parking lots totaling 142 parking spaces and the applicant is proposing <br />an additional 6 parking spaces, totaling 148 parking spaces and meeting the ordinance <br />requirements. The applicant is also showing 14 additional parking spaces to be added in the <br />future based on parking demands. Staff is comfortable with this proposal. In addition, there is an <br />additional 25 paces located off of Europa Avenue for the field space to the west. <br />