7D, Planning Case 009-05, Site Plan Agreement for Northwestern College

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Northwestern College operates under a Master Planned Unit Development (PUD) that was approved by the City in Planning Case #06-037. Construction projects and changes to the campus that are substantially consistent with the approved Master PUD require only a site plan review with the Planning Commission and City Council prior to implementation. However, the Master PUD also requires Northwestern College to comply with all provisions of the Zoning Code unless ..a variance is granted. This is the second application to go before the Planning Commission and City Council since the Master PUD was approved on October 29, .2007. The prior (Planning Case #08-006) was a site plan review for Phase I of the Master Plan for the construction of a ring road and parking spaces in three places throughout the Northwestern College campus, replacing an existing access road and parking lot that would be removed by the construction of this project (Phase II). The applicant has submitted a narrative describing the project, a site plan, utility and grading plans, landscaping and tree removal plans, architectural elevations of the future parking structure, and renderings of the proposed landscaping (Attachment C). Buildio2 Official and Fire Marshal Review The Fire Marshal expressed concerns about access to the front side of buildings along the campus green, noting that any such access roads or paved surfaces must meet specific size and weight bearing requirements. The applicant is aware of this requirement and is working with the Fire Marshal to meet it. Condition 8 has been added that will require the Fire Marshal and Building Official to approve any fire access solution prior to the issuance of any building permits. While this change may impact the impervious surface coverage on the site, it is not anticipated to increase the coverage beyond the 35 percent maximum. Findin2S of Fact The Planning Commission offers the following twenty-two findings of fact for the Northwestern College Site Plan Review for the City Council's consideration: General Findings: 1. The Proposed location of the Community Life Commons is in conformance with the approved Master Plan. 2. Community Life Commons will be two stories and include 70,639 square feet of space. 3. The proposed use of the building is in conformance with the R-1 Zoning District. 4. The adjacent campus green will consist of 174,240 square feet of landscaped space. 5. The loss of parking spaces and an access road as part of this project is included in the approved Master PUD Plan (Planning Case #06-037) and was previously replaced with the construction of a campus ring road and additional parking spaces (Planning Case #08- 006). City of Arden Hills City Council Meetingfor May 11, 2009 \\Metro-inet.us\ardenhills\Planning\Planning Cases\2009\09-()()5 NWC Site Plan Review (PC Approved)\051109 - CC Report -NWC Site Plan Revievv.doc Page 2 of 6