2013_08_07_PC_Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

Regular Planning Commission Meeting Minutes – Wednesday, August 7, 2013 Page 5 Member Daire clarified his interpretation of Mr. Cunningham’s preference that this application be 193 denied until all drainage problems currently existing on the site had been solved, not just those 194 created by the additional hard surface proposed. 195 Mr. Cunningham noted that, since the church had yet to address existing drainage issues, and 196 would not be considering them before September of this year, with any resolution not done until 197 2014, he asked that the other locations on the property be thoroughly explored as more suitable 198 for the temporary structure, since it could no longer abut the existing structure as originally 199 planned. 200 With Member Daire seeking specific clarification, he asked if Mr. Cunningham was requesting 201 that the application be denied until all drainage problems on the site are settled, with Mr. 202 Cunningham responding, “In a perfect world, yes.” 203 Member Questions to Applicant Representative 204 Acting Chair Cunningham asked Mr. Thompson if he had thought about moving the accessory 205 building to a different place on site given the 30’ requirement versus their original 6’ placement to 206 the existing structure; and if so, if he could provide rationale why that would not be feasible. 207 Mr. Thompson suggested that, based on the current Site Plan, the structure could probably move 208 to the west and retain the same grade. However, to situation it further to the north, Mr. Thompson 209 opined would not be possible due to the grade out and ability to meet measurements and code 210 requirements from the permanent structure; requiring a whole new element of grading not wise 211 for an interim building. Mr. Thompson advised that the rationale to site the temporary structure as 212 close as possible to the church was predicated the use of restroom facilities and other rooms in 213 the church. Mr. Thompson advised that the existing playground equipment could be relocated to 214 the west or north to put the children on the west side of the current leased space. If the building 215 came off the south side, Mr. Thompson advised that it would provide access to the church’s exit 216 door leading off the main hall to the center and access to restroom facilities and two (2) 217 classrooms used by the school in the church. Based on the required 30’ distance between the 218 facilities, Mr. Thompson advised that it would be logical for the oldest school children to walk 219 through that door to sue that restroom facility. 220 At the request of Member Murphy, Mr. Thompson advised that their Montessori school model 221 th provided for K-12 grade; and that the maximum number of children using the playground should 222 not exceed twenty-four (24). 223 At the request of Member Murphy, Mr. Thompson advised that the students would not use the 224 playground in the winter, but use the church’s gymnasium; advising that their model did not 225 provide outdoor recess time during the winter, with activities planned inside versus outside. 226 At the request of Member Murphy, Mr. Thompson advised that the total student population was 227 approximately 250 students, with the current student population already at that number, 228 necessitating the temporary addition until a more permanent solution could be found. 229 Acting Chair Cunningham closed the Public Hearing at 7:13 p.m.; thanking those who provided 230 testimony. 231 Commissioner Position Statements 232 Based on the testimony of staff and their recommendation, statements by the City Engineer 233 regarding no additional impact for stormwater runoff, the temporary nature of the application and 234 willingness of the applicant to work with Corpus Christi to shift playground activity to address 235 concerns raised in Ms. Merrill’s e-mail related to unsupervised students, the Montessori school 236 model that did not normally provide for recess time outdoors, Member Daire spoke in support of 237 the proposed Interim Use. Member Daire advised that he could not hold this project captive or 238 support the requested approach to deny the application to satisfy existing drainage issues for the 239 larger area as preferred by Mr. Cunningham. 240 Member Stellmach concurred with Member Daire’s summary; and noted that the addition of the 241 biofiltration system and temporary nature of the building made him willing to support the 242 application. 243