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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-009 Inf Sheet Humboldt Avenue, North of 59th Avenue Application Filed on 7-5-02 City Council Action Should Be Taken By 9-3-02 (60 Days) Planning Commission Information Sheet Application No. 2002-009 Applicant: ISD No. 286 (Brooklyn Center School District) Location: Land Lying East and West of Humboldt Avenue, North of 59th Avenue Request: Preliminary Plat The applicant, Independent School District No. 286 (Brooklyn Center), is seeking preliminary plat approval to combine and divide the existing Earle Brown School site, Grandview Park and a segment of Humboldt Avenue that is to become vacated right of way into two lots to accommodate a new Earle Brown Elementary School and a reconfigured and redeveloped Grandview Park. The properties under consideration are the existing Grandview Park property, which is a triangular shaped parcel bounded by T.H. 100 on the west, Humboldt Avenue on the east and 59th Avenue North on the south; the Earle Brown Elementary School property, which is a rectangular shaped parcel, bounded by Humboldt Avenue on the west, 60th Avenue North on the north, Fremont Avenue on the east and 59th Avenue North on the south; and the stretch of Humboldt Avenue lying between 59th and 60th Avenues North. These properties and the surrounding properties are zoned R-1 (One Family Residence). Public and private elementary schools and parks are special uses in this R-1 zoning district. BACKGROUND Approximately 2 1/2 years ago the Brooklyn Center School District approached the City with a proposal to add a temporary classroom to the Earle Brown Elementary School because of enrollment and overcrowding issues at the school. The City had long been opposed to the idea of “temporary classrooms” because of a possible need to waive building code requirements associated with these buildings and the experience that such temporary buildings may become a long term, or permanent, use. The need of the school district was real and the City and School District worked out an agreement, and an ordinance amendment was enacted, to allow for temporary classrooms as an interim use. The School District was committed to providing a permanent solution to their facilities problems and successfully passed a bond referendum for the construction of new facilities. The City and the School District have also collaborated on providing a cooperative effort to provide an adequate school site and a redeveloped Grandview Park. This plan comprehends the vacation of Humboldt Avenue between 59th and 60th Avenues to incorporate this area into the sites for the two facilities. This preliminary plat and the companion application for special use permit/site and building plan approval (Application No. 2002-010) are for the purpose of accomplishing these developments. The proposed preliminary plat comprehends combining and dividing the Grandview Park property (approximately 12.45 acres), the Earle Brown Elementary School property (approximately 8.1 acres), and the to be vacated Humboldt Avenue right of way (approximately .873 acres) into two lots. The proposed Lot 1 of the yet to be named plat would be 424,066 sq. ft. or 9.7352 acres and is the site of the new Earle Brown Elementary School. The proposed Lot 2 would be 519,093 sq. ft. or 11.9167 acres and is the site for the new Grandview Park. The street right of way vacation will have to be accomplished through an ordinance amendment, which will begin at the time a preliminary plat would be approved by the City Council. The ordinance amendment requires a separate public hearing by the City Council and an extraordinary majority vote of the City Council to adopt. The City will retain an easement over this area which would mean no buildings could be built within the easement area. However, there are no setback requirements for buildings from the easement area as there would be if this were to continue to be street right of way. The proposed preliminary plat shows the proposed location for the new Earle Brown Elementary School and the various park facilities to be provided. The City and the School District will be entering into an agreement for the joint use of the properties. Plans are for a portion of the school building to be used for park and recreational purposes. Necessary agreements will need to be drafted and filed with the title to the properties. The site and building plan details will be reviewed under the previously mentioned Application No. 2002-010. The interim city engineer is reviewing the preliminary plat and will be making written comments, which we will attach for the Commission’s review. This plat is more than five acres in area and is subject to review by the West MississippiWatershed Management Commission. On site water retention is planned for the development and the various watershed concerns will also be reviewed with respect to the drainage plans comprehended under the companion application. A public hearing has been scheduled for this preliminary plat and notice of the Planning Commission’s consideration has been published in the Brooklyn Center Sun/Post. RECOMMENDATION The preliminary plat and the site and building plan go hand in hand and consideration should be given jointly. All in all, we believe the preliminary plat is in order and approval is recommended subject to at least the following conditions: The final plat is subject to review and approval by the City Engineer. The final plat is subject to the provisions of Chapter 15 of the City Ordinances. Appropriate agreements comprehending the joint use of the properties by the City and the School District shall be developed and filed with the final plat. A 63 ft. wide utility easement shall be retained following the vacation of the Humboldt Avenue right of way between 59th and 60th Avenues North. This easement shall be shown on the final plat. The storm water detention plan proposed for this development shall be approved by the West Mississippi Watershed Management Commission prior to final plat approval. Building permits for construction of any buildings comprehended under Planning Commission Application No. 2002-010 shall not be issued until the final plat has been approved by the City Council and filed with Hennepin County. 7-25-02 Page 3