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May 9, 2024 PC Minutes <br />Page 3 <br /> <br />improvements, such as the construction of a northbound right turn late and southbound left turn lane <br />on Keller Avenue. The applicant is proposed a gravel driveway to access the septic system which has <br />been reviewed and approved by Washington County. The applicant will need to obtain necessary <br />permits for future access points and hold a financial security to construct the improvements. The <br />applicant is proposing less than the required amount of parking, and staff is requiring the applicant to <br />show proof of parking in the event that additional parking becomes necessary. The applicant is <br />proposing landscaping on the northern end of the property and around the parking area, and staff is <br />requiring that the applicant revise their landscape plan to propose additional landscaping around the <br />parking area and driveways. The lighting plan generally met the ordinance standards, but staff is <br />recommending that some pole lighting be removed and dimmers be installed to mitigate impact on <br />surrounding properties. The proposed building materials generally match those of the existing building. <br />The majority of the building will be 18 feet tall, with the gymnasium reaching a height of 31.5 feet, <br />which will still below the maximum allowed height of 35 feet in the AG zoning district. The Browns <br />Creek Watershed District (BCWD) reviews and approves grading and drainage plans for the project, and <br />have outlined some technical restrictions in the engineer’s memo. The existing school and addition will <br />be served by well water, and the size of the proposed septic system requires review from the <br />Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) which will likely be completed in October of 2024. <br /> <br />Staff is of the opinion that the requests meet the criteria of approval for a site plan and a conditional <br />use permit. Staff recommended approval of the requests to the Planning Commission, subject to <br />conditions in the resolution. <br /> <br />Commissioner Andress asked if staff has received plans for the additional landscaping on the south end <br />of the parking lot. Juba said no but that revised plans are a condition in the resolution that must be <br />met prior to the issuance of a building permit. <br /> <br />Rebekah Hagstrom, headmaster of Liberty Classical Academy, addressed the Planning Commission and <br />displayed their own presentation. Hagstrom stated that the property was chosen because they wanted <br />the school to be in a rural setting giving students access to nature. Melanie Zahler, of the family who <br />previously owned and farmed the property, discussed the sale of the 80 acres to Liberty and s tated <br />that the family is happy to see a school on the property. Hagstrom described two neighborhood <br />meetings that were held in late 2022 and early 2023 at which roughly 50 neighbors had attended. <br />Hagstrom listed some community amenities that the school wou ld provide and stated that they <br />wanted to be good neighbors and welcomed by the community. <br /> <br />Elise Kelly, architect with Pope Design Group, spoke about the design changes that were implemented <br />in their plans following feedback from the neighbors and City st aff, including additional green space <br />and using building materials that would be complimentary to the existing school building. Kelly <br />displayed some concepts for future expansion of the school, comparing its projected size to the entire <br />Mahtomedi School District and Stillwater Area High School, both of which have higher student <br />populations than Liberty projects for their full future campus. <br /> <br />Commissioner Petty asked how many students would be attending the school with the first phase <br />expansion, and which grade levels will be included. Hagstrom stated that there are currently 150