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

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Draft Planning Commission Minutes - April 8, 2009 Plannine: Case 09-005: Site Plan Review: Northwestern Collee:e City Planner Beekman presented the application and stated that the applicant is proposing to construct the Northwestern College Community Life Commons, a two-story, 70,639 square foot building that would include food service, copy center, bookstore, offices, classrooms, and a prayer chapel. An underground passageway would connect the building with Riley Hall to the southeast and Nazareth Hall to the west. The structure would be LEED certified, though the level of certification was not established at the time of this report. The height of the majority of the structure would be between 28 and 42 feet; however, the highest point of the building would be approximately 48 feet measured from an attached prayer tower. There is a 35-foot height limit in the R-l Zoning District. The campus green adjacent to the Community Life Commons would be renovated as part of the project, which includes landscaping a total area of 174,240 square feet. Finally, an additional 480 square feet will also be added to Nazareth Hall containing a 100 square foot elevator shaft. The elevator is necessary to make the building fully accessible. City Planner Beekman advised that Northwestern College operates under a Master Planned Unit Development (PUD) that was approved by the City in Planning Case #06-037. 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 also submitted a photometrics plan that was not received in time to be included in the packet. City Planner Beekman displayed a computerized presentation pointing out where the improvements would take place. She advised that based on resident concern with noise, staff felt that Condition 12 should be amended. Staff recommended approval of the request subject to the following conditions: 1. The applicant shall continue to abide by the conditions of all previous permits and reviews. 2. The project shall be completed in accordance with the plans submitted as amended by the conditions of approval. Any significant changes to these plans, as determined by the City Planner, shall require review and approval by the Planning Commission and City Council.