PC Minutes 8/27/08  DRAFT

ITEM NO. 10      SPECIAL USE PERMIT FOR CENTENNIAL/LAWRENCE VIRTUAL SCHOOL; 2145 LOUISIANA ST (PGP)

 

SUP-07-06-08: Consider a Special Use Permit and Institutional Development Plan for Centennial/Lawrence Virtual School for the construction of additional parking and installation of bleachers/restrooms/concessions/lighting system to accommodate baseball and tennis competition on-site at 2145 Louisiana Street. Submitted by Landplan Engineering, for City of Lawrence Public Schools USD 497, property owner of record.

 

STAFF PRESENTATION

Mr. Paul Patterson presented the item.

 

Mr. Matt Bond, said unlike LHS, this site has true detention and that it will be based under the four tennis courts on the west side. Right now the site drains from southeast to northwest with the runoff going to the back property line. This will benefit the Carolina Street system because this will hold up the water and allow it to go along through the system. This site will benefit with true detention.

 

PUBLIC HEARING

Mr. Price Banks, represents Centennial Neighborhood Association, stated that folks have not had a chance to look at the project. He urged the Commission to defer the item. He felt that the plan did not meet the Code.

 

Commissioner Rasmussen asked what Mr. Banks felt did not meet the Code.

 

Mr. Banks said that inadequate parking, the setback of the stadium along Alabama, and stadium lighting beyond 60’ all do not meet the Code.

 

Mr. Craig Jacobs, 843 W 22nd Street, said the School District is emphasizing school safety but that students go offsite for lunch so if they were concerned about safety they would have a closed lunch period. He was concerned about the baseball field. He stated that the water that runs off of Louisiana Purchase area into the field and not reaching the street then comes across the sidewalk in front of the street. He would like the final drawings to be explained to the neighbors.

 

Ms. Jenny Welch Buller, stated that she is in the process of buying the house adjacent to the proposed tennis court. She did think the developments would be good for the neighborhood but was concerned about the lighting for the tennis courts. She suggested that the lights used during practice times should have a timer that turn off at a certain time.

 

Mr. Bracciano said the tennis lights will be a computerized system and can be remotely turned off.

 

Ms. Cecilia Mills, said that eight backyards will be exposed to the lights from the tennis courts. She felt there should be speed bumps on Carolina Street. She also asked that there be more trashcans around the school ground area.

 

APPLICANT CLOSING COMMENTS

Mr. Chris Sturm, Landplan Engineering, did the drainage study, and worked with Mr. Bond. He showed the stormwater detention plan.

 

COMMISSION DISCUSSION

Commissioner Carter said that Items 9 and 10 have a condition that litter will be monitored and maintained on a regular basis.

 

Mr. Bracciano said there are trash receptacles onsite and neighbors can contact the school if they feel that trash is not being picked up.

 

Commissioner Singleton asked Mr. Bracciano to speak about the lighting system.

 

Mr. Bracciano said that lighting will be on a timer and can be monitored remotely. There will also be security cameras installed.

 

Commissioner Rasmussen asked if Landplan did an artist rendering of the site.

 

Mr. Maurer said no, but that there will be a 6-8’ keystone rock wall and landscaping on top of that.

 

Commissioner Blaser inquired about the church by the baseball field. He was concerned that a foul ball might hit the church.

 

Mr. Bracciano said there is about 200’ of space between the school property and the church so it was unlikely that a ball would reach that far.

 

ACTION TAKEN

Motioned by Commissioner Hird, seconded by Commissioner Chaney, SUP-07-06-08, a Special Use Permit for the creation of baseball and tennis complex at Centennial School, based upon the findings presented in the body of the staff report, with the two additional conditions from the staff memo, forwarding to the City Commission, and subject to the following conditions:

 

1.      Execution of a Site Plan Performance Agreement.

2.      Publication of an ordinance per Section 20-1306(j).

3.      Per Section 20-1307(e), recording of the Institutional Development Plan (Site Plan) at the Register of Deeds Office.

4.      Prior to building permits being issued for any of the athletic field light poles, the applicant shall either revise the site plan to show conformance with the 60’ height limit of such poles, gain approval of a variance to exceed the 60’ height limit or gain approval of a text amendment that provides for heights greater than 60’.

5.      The applicant shall plat the property prior to the release of the site plan for issuance of a building permit.

6.      Per City Code Chapter IX Article 9-903(B), a stormwater pollution prevention plan (SWP3) must be provided for this project. This project will not be released for building permits until an approved SWP3 has been obtained. Construction activity, including soil disturbance or removal of vegetation shall not commence until an approved SWP3 has been obtained.

7.      Revisions of the site plan to provide the following:

a.      Rename the title similar to “Special Use Permit for Virtual School tennis courts, ball field, and parking lot.”

b.      Update the legal description to include the entire site.

c.      Provide the required number of bicycle racks.

d.      Provide sidewalk connections at the northwest corner of the parking lot to the Greever Street sidewalk and a handicap ramp from the Greever Street sidewalk to Greever Street.

e.      Show the required accessible parking spaces.

f.       Provide width dimensions of the parking lot aisles.

g.      Provide the required concrete aprons from the parking lot to the street.

h.      Correct the spelling of the ‘Fairgrounds’ Addition Plat to the east.

i.         Reconstruction of sidewalks along the Greever Street and Louisiana Street frontages to meet current 5’ and 6’ width standards.

j.        Provision of additional details related to bleacher height, light pole heights, hours of operation for field and tennis court lights.

k.      Provision of corrected parking summary regarding required and provided parking based on multiple uses on site per Development Code requirements.

l.         Expansion of parking summary to identify number of existing spaces, net proposed spaces and total spaces ultimately to be developed.

m.   Notation that litter will be monitored and picked up on a regular basis.

n.      Notation that no gate is proposed along the western perimeter fence (W. 22nd Street/W. 22nd Terrace).

o.      Approval of a photometric plan (submitted -8/21/08).

p.      Provision of manufacturer specs for bleachers (with specific size and height information).

q.      Include the landscaping on the west side of the Tennis Courts in the landscape schedule. Update quantities on landscape schedule – Marshall Seedless Ash.

r.       A recorded Utility Easement will need to be shown for the sanitary sewer force main.

s.      Remove condition no. 12 as it just states, “This site plan has been”.

t.       Show the interior parking lot and perimeter landscape calculations per Sections 20-1003 and 20-1004.

8.      Approval of a revised traffic impact study and inclusion of any recommended improvements (if determined necessary following staff review).

9.      Approval of a revised downstream sanitary sewer study and including of any recommended improvements (if determined necessary following staff review).

 

          Motion carried 7-0-1, with Commissioner Finkeldei abstaining.