5.1. BASR 06-20-2023 - Laserfiche WebLink

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lines. The proposal does not encroach any further into the current setback requirements than the existing school building does. 2. Is consistent with the City of Elk River Comprehensive Plan. The property is guided as public/semi-public and the category includes local government uses, municipal facilities, community service providers, schools, and places of worship and assembly such as City Hall, fire stations, churches, and Elk River’s public schools. Coordination with schools and service providers is key to ensure these essential facilities have capacity and/or are in areas that can support growth and development as it occurs. The use is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan. Variances may be granted when the petitioner establishes that there are practical difficulties in complying with the zoning ordinance. Practical difficulties means that: 3. The petitioner proposes to use the property in a reasonable manner not permitted by the zoning ordinance; The proposed use of the property will not be changed as a part of the project. The area of the building (the 1951 addition) at which the proposed addition would occur, will be changing from a shipping, receiving, and storing area, to an early childhood space for which the owner would like secure access to be provided, similar to a secure entry vestibule to a school facility. Additionally, there is an existing exterior door that egresses directly onto the sidewalk on the north side of Main Street, which we are proposing to remove and infill. In place of this egress point, a new exterior door is proposed for the east side of the 1951 addition to extend the exterior point of egress slightly away from the sidewalk so as to prevent young students (3-5 year olds) from exiting directly toward Main Street. This new exterior door would be egress only and not used for access. The proposal is reasonable as it is consistent with the existing school's positioning, not encroaching any further into the current setback requirements. It is common for buildings of this era, especially in downtown areas, to have been constructed to the property lines. 4. The plight of the petitioner is due to circumstances unique to the property not a consequence of the petitioner's own action or inaction; and As noted above, the addition that is being proposed as part of this project will abut an existing addition that was construction in 1951. The addition itself is necessary to provide a secure sequence of entry outside of the existing building footprint, which would otherwise be too small to serve the desired function of an early childhood setting. Also, as part of the addition, a toilet room is proposed for use by the young students. Including the toilet room as part of the addition works well with existing utilities and proposed improvements to the utilities, as well as not restricting the use of the general programmed space. The placement of the original school and subsequent additions is unique and is not a consequence of the petitioner. 5. The variance, if granted, will not alter the essential character of the locality. The proposed addition seamlessly integrates with the existing structure, ensuring that the essential character of the locale remains unchanged.