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PLANNING REPORT <br /> <br />DATE: April 14, 2017 <br />CASE: PSR17-0001 <br />SUBJECT: Special Use Permit to Permit a 300 Student K-8 School to Operate at 3000 <br />5th Street NW <br />APPLICANT: United Theological Seminary <br /> <br />REQUEST & BACKGROUND <br />The applicant is requesting a Special Use Permit to allow operation of a 300 student, <br />kindergarten thru eighth grade school, out of the existing seminary campus at 3000 5th Street <br />NW. The property located at 3000 5th Street NW is zoned R – 1, Single Family Residential and <br />schools require a Special Use Permit. The seminary is operating under a Special Use Permit that <br />dates to 1961. That approval is specifically for a “theological seminary”. <br /> <br />The applicant has stated in their written narrative that two existing campus buildings would be <br />renovated to accommodate the school use, including the two-story McMillan Center and the <br />three-story Spencer Library. The McMillan building is 17,800 SF and would be used for <br />classroom space. The Spencer building is 28,800 SF but only the lower two floors would be <br />renovated for use as a gymnasium and lunchroom. Beyond renovating building space, an <br />outdoor play area would be constructed outside the northeast corner of the McMillan Center, <br />inside the existing pathway. It is anticipated the use would generate no more than 30 trips at <br />morning drop-off and 30 more trips at afternoon pick-up (50% busses, 50% vehicles). Bus <br />traffic would enter the site from 5th Street NW and leave from Stinson Boulevard. Based on <br />schools of this size, limited (or no) after-school activities or weekend activities would be <br />conducted on the site. <br /> <br />The request as originally scheduled for the March 21st Planning Commission meeting. The <br />applicant elected to post-pone consideration to April, allowing the seminary time to meet with <br />the neighbors to address questions and concerns. That meeting occurred on April 5th. Staff <br />attended this meeting and estimates approximately 30 residents attended, both from New <br />Brighton and Columbia Heights. <br /> <br />ATTACHMENTS <br />A – Resolution <br />B – Project Location Map <br />C – Zoning Map <br />D – Aerial Map <br />E – Neighborhood Notification Map <br />F – Applicant Narrative <br />G – Special Use Permit Criteria Worksheet <br />H – Supplement to Narrative RE Playground (4/13 email) <br />I – Proposed Site Plan <br />J – Concept Floor Plans <br />K – Neighbor Comments <br />L – Applicant Request to Delay <br />M – Seminary Letter to Neighbors <br /> <br />