The Roseville Planning Commission voted unanimously to approve a conditional use permit modification allowing John Adams Academy to occupy 13 Sierra Gate Plaza for transitional kindergarten, kindergarten and lower elementary classrooms and to locate before- and after-school programming in the building.

Greg Bitter, assistant development services director, told the commission the site is a legal nonconforming use in the Business Professional zoning district and that staff found the project consistent with the zoning ordinance and the general plan. "We believe all the required findings of approval for a conditional use permit modification can be made, and we are recommending that the planning commission tonight adopt the three findings of fact and approve the conditional use permit modification subject to the nine conditions of approval," Bitter said.

Joseph Benson, executive director of John Adams Academies, said the building at 13 Sierra Gate Plaza is already configured for early-education use and that acquiring it would free up space at the main campus. "Our improved student attendance cap remains unchanged, and all student pickup and drop off will continue to occur at the existing locations and in the same manner as it currently operates," Benson said, arguing the move would allow the school to expand before- and after-school offerings without increasing enrollment or peak-hour traffic.

Bitter summarized staff findings during the presentation: the building adds roughly 6,800 square feet of indoor classroom and play space and about 3,500 square feet of outdoor play area, and staff said the additional space will not change the school's analyzed student capacity of 1,650 as reflected in the 2017 traffic study and the operation plan that accompanies the application.

A commissioner asked whether the building was currently occupied; Benson said it had been operated by a preschool owner but that the purchase would consolidate school facilities on the loop road and relieve existing lunchroom crowding. Public comment was opened and no members of the public spoke.

Commissioner Hagler moved to adopt the three findings and approve the conditional use permit modification subject to the nine conditions; Commissioner Pryor seconded. The roll call vote was unanimous in favor (all present commissioners voted yes). The commission clerk announced a 10-day appeal period for the item.

The commission also approved the consent calendar earlier in the meeting by unanimous vote; that consent action included minutes and a separate parcel-related item and likewise carries a 10-day appeal period.

What's next: The planning commission's approval is a local land-use decision subject to the announced 10-day appeal period. If no appeal is filed, the decision will take effect according to the city's standard timelines and the conditions of approval attached to the permit. The commission adjourned after brief commissioner and staff reports, including a decision to pull a separate design-committee appointment until the commission has a full complement of members and an announcement of a January planning commission workshop.