Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Planning & Development Services

 

TO:

David L. Corliss, City Manager

 

FROM:

Scott McCullough, Director

Sheila Stogsdill, Assistant Director

 

CC:

Cynthia Wagner, Assistant City Manager

Diane Stoddard, Assistant City Manager

Jonathan Douglass, City Clerk

 

Date:

August 18, 2010

 

RE:

CM Report for 08/24/10 Agenda – Update on Special Use Permits for School District at Lawrence High and Virtual School campuses

[SUP-07-04-08 and SUP-07-06-08]

 

 

City staff has inspected both Lawrence High School and Virtual School campuses multiple times this spring and summer and has met with School District staff on several occasions to discuss construction progress and SUP site plan compliance.  A detailed punch list of issues was provided to District staff in early June.  This report provides a summary of several of those issues that are still pending resolution.  Staff provides the following update on major issues as the school year is underway and fall sports programs are beginning.  The first home football game is scheduled for 9/3 and the second on 9/17.

 

Restroom/Concession Buildings:

Building permits have been issued for two structures on the LHS campus and construction is underway.  The District anticipates that portable toilet facilities will be needed for the first game and construction should be complete prior to the second home game.  When completed, these facilities will be available to serve spectators at football, soccer and softball activities. 

 

A separate building has not yet been designed for the baseball fields/tennis court site.  Restrooms are available inside the Virtual School for school district activities on this site.  Staff has encouraged the District to install a sign directing game attendees to the restrooms since staff has fielded inquiries regarding this issue.

 

Football Field Press Box:

A building permit has also been issued for this structure located on the east side of the east bleachers.  Construction will continue into the football season and the estimated time for completion is September 30.

Lighting:

Photometric levels at the property lines have been found to be acceptable for all fields; however, off-site glare issues continue to be an issue adjacent to the softball and baseball fields.  Staff will meet with District staff and neighbors adjacent to the softball fields on Thursday evening, 8/19, to assess the extent of the off-site glare in order to identify potential remedies or mitigating improvements.  The District needs to install hoods on the baseball field lights before additional assessments can be made regarding impacts to the adjacent properties along Louisiana Street.

 

The City’s Parks & Recreation staff is meeting with property owners near the Virtual School tennis courts to discuss the alternatives available to light these courts.

 

Landscaping:

The amount of landscaping installed on both sites does not match the approved plans.  In a number of locations, the District has planted larger specimen trees to address adjacent neighbor requests and in other areas the landscaping was significantly reduced without just cause.  Staff is awaiting revised site plans which accurately reflect the installed materials and provides justification for variations from approved plans. Staff and the District are continuing to discuss these issues.

 

A number of trees on each site were planted by volunteers and need additional staking. 

 

Drainage:

Recent inspections indicate that final grading and drainage improvements are nearing completion on both sites.  District staff and Matt Bond, the City’s Stormwater Engineer, continue to meet to discuss these issues.

 

Sidewalks:

Sidewalks along Greever Terrace near the tennis courts have been reconstructed.  Portions of the sidewalk along 21st Street have been widened and the District’s contractor has recently reconstructed several sidewalk sections along this street to address deficiencies.  City staff has noted that sidewalks along Louisiana Street adjacent to both LHS and Virtual School sites were supposed to be widened with these construction projects.  The District has indicated they will be added to the capital improvement projects list. 

 

Operational Issues:

Staff is continuing to discuss a number of operational issues regarding the activity levels on the various fields.