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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007 [01] Jan 08January 8, 2007 Page 1 of 2 Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the Planning Commission for the City of St. Joseph met in regular session on Monday, January 8, 2007 at 7:00 PM in the St. Joseph City Hall. Members Present: Chair Bob Loso, Sr. Kathleen Kalinowski, Mark Anderson, Jim Graeve, AI Rassier. Administrator Judy Weyrens. Others Present: Steve Paasch Agenda: Rassier made a motion to approve the agenda; seconded by Kalinowski and passed unanimously. Minutes: Kalinowski made a motion to approve the minutes of September 5 and December 4, 2006. District 742 -Concept Plan: Loso made a motion to approve the Concept Plan as presented as recommended by City Staff, The motion was seconded by Rassier. DISCUSSION -School Presentation Weyrens advised the Commissioners that a committee consisting of City Staff, Stearns County Engineer, ISD 742 Representatives including GLT Architects and the Rivers Bend Developer have been meeting monthly to discuss the proposed construction of a K-8 school. Staff has recommended that the Planning Commission review the concept plan before IDS 742 begins site plan development. Weyrens stated that Staff is recommending the Planning Commission approve the concept plan. Steve Paasch, GLT Architects, approached the Commissioners on behalf of the School District. He stated that the new school will be a pre-K through Stn grade facility with approximately 750 students. The site is 72 acres and the building will be 135,000 square feet. The site includes the following fields: baseball, softball, football and soccer. It has not yet been determined if tennis courts will be part of the facility. Paasch stated ideally the school would like access to CR 121; however, the Stearns County Engineer has denied access. Paasch stated that they are in the process of appealing the access rights to CR 121 and the site plan works without such. To manage the site for safety, two access points have been identified, one on Neary Street and one on Jade Road. The two access points provide for separate circulation of buses and car/pedestrian traffic. According to Paasch, the storm water will be managed with an infiltration basin. This will allow for underground storage, allowing the site to be environmentally friendly. He further stated that they have been working with MN Fish and Wildlife to plan native areas that would attract transitional birds and other wildlife. The site plan will also include trails around the site plan with a possible connection to the Rivers Bend Park. With regard to the building, the facility will include a two wings, one for PK-2"d and the second 3`d - Stn. A portion of the facility will be two story and will house the 6tn -Stn grade. All grades will share a common gym, art rooms, music rooms, and a cafeteria. They have also decided to have a PKand a K-5 playground. The School District is on a fast-track schedule. They plan to have the design process completed by the end of January and will bid the project in phases. The first bid package will go out in March and that will consist of site work. The second will go out in May and will be for the actual work on the building. They have an anticipated final completion date of July 2008. Paasch added that they plan to make the building as well as the site environmentally friendly. To do this, they plan to make use of the natural daylight rather than relying on a large number of lights in the building as well as put sunscreens on the windows and use light shelves. They plan to create healthier air by adding a displacement ventilation system. Paasch stated that the School District had applied for a grant for solar panels to be tied into the electrical system. They also plan to add a small turban to provide wind January 8, 2007 Page 2 of 2 power to be tied into the electrical system. To see the benefit of energy conservation, they plan to have an energy management system in place. DISCUSSION -Commissioner Questions There were some questions as to the sporting options available. Loso questioned whether or not there are plans to add a swimming pool to the new school. Paasch stated that there are no plans as the students currently use the College of St. Benedict and they plan to keep that relationship going. Anderson questioned whether or not they plan to add a track to the facility. Paasch replied that, due to costs, they have not at this time. Anderson also questioned whether or not there would be a football stadium or bigger baseball fields added if the future school is built. Paasch stated that there are no concrete plans for a future school or the additional fields at this time. Kalinowski questioned whether or not the playing fields would be available for both boys and girls, which Paasch stated they would be. The concept plan had a future school shown to the south. Kalinowski questioned why the future school is so far away as it would cost more money for utilities, etc. Paasch stated that there are no concrete plans to add the future school, but they wanted to save enough space should it be necessary. He stated that the new school will be able to be expanded, if necessary. He also added that it had to be shown to the south as the County will not allow access to CR 121. If the future school is added, he stated that the two schools would share the ball fields and the trails. Rassier questioned why there is a multiple bid process. Paasch explained that this is very common for schools as it saves time and money. They would have a Construction Manager that would work for the School to keep things running smoothly. Graeve stated that he is concerned with the fact that they are not allowed access to CR 121. He questioned if access to CR 121 would be provide better fire and emergency access for the school site. Loso stated that they have shown a possible access to CR121 provided it can be approved by Stearns County. Graeve also questioned the parking lot and whether they plan to use blacktop or paving stones. Paasch stated that they have looked at pourus concrete; however due to costs, they may use blacktop. As this project would be impacted by Jade Road, Rassier questioned the improvements to Jade Road. Weyrens added that the improvements will be paid 100% by the School District and the Developer (Arcon). She stated that they plan to order the improvement in February, bid the project in March and begin the project this spring. She added that Arcon plans to put in utilities this fall. Currently, the students' concerts are held at the College of St. Benedict as well. Anderson questioned whether an auditorium is being added or if they will continue to use the College facility. Paasch stated that there will not be an auditorium; however there will be space in the cafeteria for small performances. He also added that the gym will be attached to the music room and that room will have the option to be opened up so that the gym can also be used for smaller performances. Graeve amended the motion to add that the City strongly encourages the County to reconsider access to CR 121. The motion passed unanimously. Adjourn: Graeve made a motion to adjourn at 7:35 PM; seconded by Anderson and passed unanimously. ud Weyfens /~/ inistrator