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HomeMy WebLinkAboutGLOBAL VILLAGE ACADEMY II - SITE PLAN ADVISORY REVIEW - SPA150001 - DECISION - MINUTES/NOTESPlanning & Zoning Board February 12, 2015 Page 5 Board Questions and Staff Response There was more discussion pertaining to the lighting issues and the landscape architecture. Chief Planner Shepard responded to some of the citizen concerns about the light codes and standards. He offered to measure the illumination with a light meter. Member Hart asked about the issues surrounding the internal circulation. Mr. Delich responded by explaining how the queue works and stated that the 2 lanes would be widened to 3 lanes to include a bus lane, which should be adequate for the traffic projected in the area. He also clarified that the 24-foot drive isle would be limited to staff parking only, which should reduce the queuing issue. Director Kadrich asked how the traffic would be impacted by the increased number of students. Martina Wilkinson, Traffic Operations, responded that a traffic analysis had been prepared for the addition, which resulted in the recommendation that a southbound right-hand turn lane be added for safety. Board Deliberation Chair Carpenter clarified the P8Z Board's role, which is to listen to and comment on the applicant's presentation. The satisfaction of the Board would then be documented in a motion. This project would then be referred to the State Board of Education, which is the governing board that would make the final determination. Although no action is required, a motion can be made to indicate approval. Member Hart summarized the issues with parking, trees, and traffic, and he indicated that he believes that GVA has been responsive to the concerns raised. Member Schneider agreed and stated that he believes the congestion will be mitigated over time, he appreciates the trees as buffers, and he will support the expansion. Vice Chair Kirkpatrick also supports the school expansion and the efforts to make it compatible with the neighborhood. Member Hansen agreed that the school is a good program and supports the expansion. Chair Carpenter stated she appreciates the willingness to mitigate concerns, and she encouraged the school officials to work with the neighborhood in the future to maintain good relations. Member Hart made a motion to support the second phase of the Global Village Academy development. Member Schneider seconded the motion. Vote: 5:0. P8Z Board took a 5-minute break and reconvened at 7:20pm. - Project: Review of City Projects and Land Use Code Amendment Project Description: This is a request to subject ail City projects to a Type II review, with that review coming before the Planning and Zoning Board. Therefore, the appeal process would be amended in a manner that would be a legislative review by the City Council, rather than a judicial review. Recommendation: Recommendation to City Council Planning 8 Zoning Board February 12, 2015 Page 4 Alex Bricker, 6762 Colony Hills Lane, is in support of the school expansion. He is the parent of a child and feels the traffic is streamlined and is very pleased with the advantages provided by language immersion. Kallan Craig Lidric, 2320 Silver Oaks Drive, is in support of the school expansion and enjoys learning Spanish. Desiree K. Luca, 1227 Walnut, a school parent and a representative for the school PTO, is in support of the school expansion and has worked with parents to resolve parking issues. Joseph Bachman, 2502 Rock Creek Drive, is in support of the school expansion Cheng Xeebin, a Chinese teacher at GVA, is in support of the school expansion. Arianna Diaz -Mats, 620 Quaking Aspen Drive, is in support of the school expansion. Kerstin Alvarez. 6058 Scotch Pine Drive, is in support of the school expansion, as she feels it will allow the school to expand the opportunities for kids. Ethan Diaz-Mata, 620 Quaking Aspen Drive, is in support of the school expansion. Paul Rozman, 3540 Silver Trails Drive, stated his concern with proximity of neighborhood homes to the school, the bus noise, the late -night traffic. He suggested landscape buffering for these issues. Dave Colliton, 2267 Silver Oaks Drive, stated his concern that GVA is going to make a bad situation much worse relative to the parking/traffic situation with Oleander Elementary School. He noted that the development maps did not show the proximity of the surrounding homes to this school and where parked cars would be situated. Rachel Free, 4331 Hummingbird Drive, is in support of the school expansion and stated that GVA has been a good community partner. She also stated that the school parents have tried to respect the neighborhood homes and will continue to do this. She is concerned that, without this expansion, the children will miss out on many learning opportunities. Ray Martinez, President of the School Board for GVA, tried to address concerns that were brought up and said that GVA will continue to strive to resolve issues and respect the needs of school and the surrounding community. David Denman, 1106 West Oak Street, stated that he thinks this location was a poor choice and doesn't think the school should be expanded. Staff/Applicant Response to Citizen Concerns Terry Gogerty acknowledged the stated difficulties and added that GVA continues to improve. Adele Wilson, with Slater Paull architects, stated that they did respond to all requests that were received during Phase I and have made the suggested changes. Planning 8 Zoning Board February 12, 2015 Page 3 Project Description: This a request to construct a new, two-story building, containing 16 classrooms, gymnasium, science room, and expanded cafeteria for a total of 28,500 square feet. Combined with the existing building that includes 24,000 square feet, the new total for the campus would be 52,500 square feet. The new gymnasium, (5,500 square feet), would face east and would operate in conjunction with a new playground and athletic fields. The cafeteria expansion to the west would be a one-story addition. The new classrooms are intended to serve up to 420 additional students. Combined with the existing number of students, 360, the new total of current and projected enrollment would be 780 students ranging from pre-school through eighth grade. The onsite circulation system would be enlarged with a four -lane driveway to accommodate additional buses and an improved student drop -of, pick-up and queueing zone. Two new parking lots, consisting of a total of 48 additional spaces, would be provided for faculty, staff and visitors. The site is 5.02 acres and zoned L-M-N, Low Density Mixed -Use Neighborhood. Recommendation: Approval Hearing Testimony, Written Comments and Other Evidence Staff and Applicant Presentations Chief Planner Shepard gave a PowerPoint presentation to the Board on this project. Jason Goode, Design Builder for Faurott Construction, also gave a presentation for Phase Two of this project, including a background of Phase One, diagrams of the project details, resolution of issues brought up during Phase I, traffic flow charts, and landscape plans. Becky Martinek, Landscape Architect with Nature's Design, also showed some of the landscape plans for the project, including types of trees. She also reviewed colors, elevations, and issues regarding on -site circulation of parent pickup and drop-off. Joe Delich, Traffic Engineer, explained how lanes were added, how queues will be enhanced, and other traffic resolutions. Terry Gogerty, Chief Operating Officer for Global Village Academy, recapped some of the lessons that were learned during Phase I, which included obtaining more signage for parents, enhanced training of staff, and improving communication with parents. As they double the size of the organization, he will look into traffic flow improvement, which will be accomplished primarily by staggering the student release times. He also agreed to pay for installing a right-hand turn lane at Taft Hill, which is required by the City of Fort Collins. Public Input Jan Rozman, 3540 Silver Trails Drive, stated that she is concerned that the school additions will be closer to her neighborhood. She is also concerned with bus noise, parking lot lights, and the influx of more students on the traffic and parking situations. Luke Whitaker, 2173 Bronson Street, is in support of the school expansion, as it would allow children to attend the same school through 8t grade. Keegan Ecker, 3338 Wray Court, is in support of the school expansion and thinks his teachers are amazing. Planning & Zoning Board February 12, 2015 Page 2 • The Board is here to listen to citizen comments. Each citizen may address the Board once for each item. • Decisions on development projects are based on judgment of compliance or non-compliance with city Land Use Code. • Should a citizen wish to address the Board on items other than what is on the agenda, time will be allowed for that as well. • This is a legal hearing, and the Chair will moderate for the usual civility and fairness to ensure that everyone who wishes to speak can be heard. Public Input on Items Not on the Agenda: None. Consent Agenda: 1. Minutes from January 15, 2015, P&Z Hearing Minutes from the January 9, 2015, Special Meeting Minutes 2. Mainstreet Health and Wellness Suites PDP140018 4. CSU Bay Farm Horticulture Center Site Plan Advisory Review, SPA140003 9. Sigma Phi Epsilon Renovation and Addition Non -conforming Use Expansion, NCU150001 Public Input on Consent Agenda: None. Member Hart made a motion that the Planning and Zoning Board approve the February 12, 2015, Consent agenda as presented, which includes the minutes from the January 15, 2015, Planning and Zoning Board hearing, the minutes from the January 9, 2015, Planning and Zoning Board Special Meeting minutes, Mainstreet Health and Wellness Suites PDP140018, the CSU Bay Farm Horticulture Center Site Plan Advisory Review SPA140003, and the Sigma Phi Epsilon Renovation and Addition Non -conforming Use Expansion NCU150001. Vice Chair Kirkpatrick seconded. Vote: 5:0. Discussion Agenda: 7. Global Village Academy Phase Two, Public Charter School, 2130 West Horsetooth Road, Site Plan Advisory Review, SPA150001 8. Review of City Projects and Land Use Code Amendment Project: Global Village Academy Phase Two, Public Charter School, 2130 West Horsetooth Road, Site Plan Advisory Review, SPA150001 Jennifer Carpenter, Chair Kristin Kirkpatrick, Vice Chair Jeff Hansen Gerald Hart Emily Heinz Michael Hobbs Jeffrey Schneider City Council Chambers City Hall West 300 Laporte Avenue Fort Collins, Colorado Cablecast on City Cable Channel 14 on the Comcast cable system The City of Fort Collins will make reasonable accommodations for access to City services, programs, and activities and will make special communication arrangements for persons with disabilities. Picase call 221-6515 (TDD 224-6001) for assistance. Regular Hearing February 12, 2015 Chair Carpenter called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Roll Call: Carpenter, Kirkpatrick, Hansen, Hart, and Schneider Absent: Heinz, Hobbs Staff Present: Kadrich, Eckman, Gloss, Burnett, Wilkinson, Siegmund, Mounce, Beals, Shepard Ragasa, Virata, and Cosmas Agenda Review Director Kadrich reviewed the items on the Consent agenda. She asked Senior Planner Beals to update the Board on events occurring since the work session. He gave the Board some background on some correspondence he had received; specifically, a citizen is concerned over the shared use of Intel's primary shipping entrance. The Board agreed that they did not believe this email was enough to warrant removing the item from the Consent agenda. Director Kadrich continued her agenda review by listing the items on the Discussion agenda. Chair Carpenter provided background on the board's role and what the audience could expect as to the order of business. She described the following processes: While the City staff provides comprehensive information about each project under consideration, citizen input is valued and appreciated.