HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/27/2010 MINUTES OF THE WATERLOO BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT MEETING HELD ON
APRIL 27, 2010, IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS, CITY HALL
Chairperson Anfinson called the regular monthly meeting of the Waterloo Board of
Adjustment to order on Tuesday, April 27, 2010, at 4:00 p.m. Board members in attendance
were: Anfinson, Goldsberry, Mixdorf and Holdiman. Member absent was Mohr. Staff in
attendance was Noel Anderson, Aric Schroeder,Shane Graham, Chris Western, Tim Andera
and Adam Poll. There were 10 people from the public in attendance.
I. Approval of the Agenda fnr April 77, 7n1n
It was moved by Mixdorf, seconded by Goldsberry, to approve the agenda as submitted. Motion
carried unanimously.
II. Approval of the Mimitec of the RPglilar Meeting nn March 71, 7n1 n
It was moved by Goldsberry, seconded by Mixdorf, to approve the minutes as submitted.
Motion carried unanimously.
III. Derision Items
1. Request by Struxture Architects on behalf of the Waterloo Community Schools at 17On
f Minting Aur for a special permit to allow for the construction of 75,000 SF elementary
school building and a 120-stall parking lot and related recreational facilities.
Poll gave the staff report, noting that the proposed school would replace the existing Black
Hawk Elementary and Black Hawk Park,which would be demolished as part of the project. The
proposed school would also replace Edison Elementary, located north of University Avenue
and east of Ansborough Avenue. The City of Waterloo would have to convey Black Hawk Park
to Waterloo Community Schools,which requires a recommendation of the Leisure Services
Commission and approval by the City Council. Poll noted that the applicant has submitted a
proposed site plan showing the proposed layout of the school showing access points off of
Sager Avenue and Sheldon Street. The applicant also submitted an alternative site plan showing
the acquisition and removal of 9 homes along Sager Avenue that would allow more yard space
and layout of the school. The site plan with homes remaining shows a new 75,000 sq. ft.
building, oriented towards Sheldon Street,with a total of four access points from Sheldon Street
and Sager Avenue for the site plan with the homes remaining. The site plan that keeps the
houses intact would have the parent drop-off parking with two access points off of Sheldon
Street. The school itself would face Sheldon Street as well. The teacher parking and bus drive
area would be directed off of Sheldon street and Littlefield Road. The school configuration
allows for open space and playground space to the east and south ends of the building.
The site plan with homes removed shows a new 75,000 sq. ft. building, oriented towards
Sheldon Street,with a total of four access points on Sager, Sheldon and Downing for the site
plan with the homes removed. The site plan with homes removed (9 houses) would keep the
school orientation towards Sheldon Street, but would move the building and parking areas
north. The parent drop-off and parking area would change its south access to Downing Avenue.
The teacher parking and bus drop-off would change from one access off of Sheldon Street to
two access points off of Sager Avenue. At either layout the site plan would appear to meet all
setback requirements for the one-story school facility, and has sufficient green space for future
growth and expansion. The school would be built for 450 students, with the ability to expand
(black lines on the map) up to 650 students. It would appear there might be an advantage for
BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT
April 27,2010 Minutes
Graham noted that the applicant has indicated that the church service would have somewhere
between 200 and 300 people in attendance. If this was a new location, and parking was to be
required for 300 people, the Ordinance would require 75 parking stalls. After looking at the
aerial photo of the site and manually counting the parking stalls, there would appear to be at
least 175 parking stalls currently on the site, which would appear to be adequate for the needs
of the church.
Graham noted that the request to establish the religious facility in the existing school
auditorium would not appear to be a detriment to the area, as the existing facility is large
enough to accommodate the needs of the church, including space and parking requirements.
However, staff would recommend that the special permit not be granted permanently, as a
different facility could locate on the property in the future that has different space and parking
requirements with no other approvals needed, which could negatively impact the surrounding
neighborhood. The request went before the Planning &Zoning Commission at its regular
meeting on April 6th, where it was unanimously recommended for approval, subject to the
condition as recommended by staff, and that staff recommends approval of the request, subject
to the special permit be granted for a 1-year time frame, which is the time frame of the lease that
the applicant has to use the school building. This will give staff an opportunity to see the type of
impact that the use has on the surrounding area. If the applicant extends the lease, and staff has
determined that the impact on the area is insignificant, the applicant can request an extension to
the special permit.
Jay Nardiney, representing Prairie Lakes Church, indicated that they pay for the use of the
building, and pay for an officer to provide security at the site. Mixdorf questioned if they would
have to come back for another special permit after one year, and Anderson indicated that if there
were no problems, that the Board could have staff administratively approve an extension instead
of coming back to the Board.
It was moved by Mixdorf, seconded by Goldsberry, to approve the special permit for a 1-year
time frame, with review by staff after one year, and authority by staff to extend the special
permit. Motion carried unanimously.
SPECIAL PERMIT REQUEST APPROVED.
3. Request by Lily Furgerson at 507 Arg-,91p St for a special permit to allow for the construction
of a 7,380 SF addition to the existing 4,880 SF non-profit Tri-County Child and Family
Development Center.
Western gave the staff report, noting that the applicant is requesting to Construct a 7,380 square
foot addition to the existing 4,880 square feet non-profit Lily Furgerson Day Care for additional
childcare classrooms. The request would not appear to have a negative impact on the surrounding
neighborhood, which primarily consists of commercial development to the east and south, and
residential development to the west and north. Western indicated that Staff received one call from
nearby business in response to the courtesy notices they received who asked general questions
about the request. Their main concern was about the possible congestion of the alleyway between
their property and the Day Care. However, the site plan submitted indicates 30 new off street
parking spaces in addition to approximately 6 stalls in the public right-of-way to the east. Western
noted that the Planning &Zoning Commission recommended approval of the request at its April
meeting. Western indicated that staff recommends approval of the request, subject to there being
adequate storm shelter space, a fire evacuation plan in place, and that the final site plan meet all
applicable codes and regulations.
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BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT
April 27,2010 Minutes
IV. Discussion Items
There were no discussion items.
V. Adjournni nt
It was moved by Holdiman, seconded by Goldsberry, to adjourn the meeting at 4:35 p.m. Motion
carried unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
bye 1,1
Shane M. Graham,
Planner II
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