Board approves design exceptions for school additions but requires review if parking becomes a problem

The Board of Adjustment approved design exceptions for two school-site projects described in the packet as College and Career Readiness and Freshman Academy additions. Development services recommended approval of both requests while noting the projects provide fewer parking spaces than the zoning code currently requires; the approvals include a condition that parking be reviewed if it becomes a problem in the future.

At the first school case (listed by staff at 1243 Twentieth Street Southwest), Dave Hogg of development services described the parking calculation as based on two standards in the zoning code: 6 spaces per classroom for high schools and 1 space per 300 square feet of additional enclosed space. Hogg said, as presented in the meeting materials, that the code calculation resulted in a requirement recorded in the packet as "7 99" parking spaces and that the project proposes to provide 610 spaces.

Brent Jackman, Hall and Hall Engineers, and Chris Gates, buildings-and-grounds manager for the school district, told the board the additions modernize instructional space (CTE, wood shop, auto shop, aviation) and that they do not anticipate additional enrollment as a result of the construction. Gates said on a typical school day there are empty spaces and that the district has previously recorded counts showing as many as 50 unused spaces on some days.

Neighbors raised questions about morning congestion and parking overflow onto adjacent residential streets. Dave Patterson and Kathy Patterson, whose property abuts the rear of the high school, said they regularly see students drive in circles looking for parking and reported that some students park on neighborhood streets; Kathy Patterson said the school website lists a large inventory of campus parking and that preferred parking spots carry an annual fee (the transcript records a reference to a $40/year preferred-parking fee). The objectors asked for an identified plan B—areas where overflow parking could be sited if demand increases.

School representatives said the additions will not remove existing parking and that the district can identify on-site locations where additional parking could be added if necessary. Board members discussed the topic at length; one member said declining high-school enrollment and lower teen driving rates made the staff recommendation acceptable, while others emphasized the conditional review if parking becomes an issue.

For the second, related case (listed by staff at 2205 Forest Drive and described as the same campus expansion), staff presented that the site would provide 504 spaces in lieu of 859 required. The board approved that design exception as well with the same review condition.

On the record, the board moved and seconded each motion; both motions were recorded as carried. The transcript shows the board included a condition (recommended by staff) that the approvals be subject to review should parking become a problem in the future.