PC 01/22/97 - Laserfiche WebLink

At buildout, there will be 400 students at this site, there are a total of 600 children at the Mohr Avenue school and the St. Elizabeth Seton church has a long-term plan of having a private school. There is concern that the parents driving to this school will use the lighted intersection of Garden Creek Circle and Stoneridge Drive and drive through the surrounding neighborhood to reach the school. Further neighborhood concerns are: it is unrealistic that there would be only two night-time meetings per month; there is an insufficient buffer between the Phase II building and the houses; the parking lot is very small and will lead to parents parking in the surrounding neighborhood streets. Comment was made that the City should purchase the land for a park. Also, this proposal would adversely affect property values. The Stoneridge Drive Specific Plan zones this for Public/Institutional. A private school is consistent with the zoning, but the question is whether a 400 student school is appropriate for this property. This would be determined by the traffic, number of trips, how the parents would drive through the neighborhood, access off Stone Pointe Way, adequate parking, and the location of the Phase II building. Staff feels there is some problem with the size of the school from a traffic standpoint. The traffic report states this would be a LOS A situation for the intersection and traffic through the neighborhood would be negligible. Staff does not conclude with these findings. With the buildout of the area and the long-term traffic on Stoneridge Drive, staff feels some parents will cut through on Garden Creek Circle. Parking at buildout is inadequate, and there is a high likelihood of night- - time usage more than twice per month. The neighbors backing to the Phase II school building would like the building repositioned. Staff talked at length with these people advising them that they would then be subjected to the athletic field and noise. The residents stated they could live with that situation. It is staff's recommendation for the Commission to take public testimony, discuss the project and provide direction to staff, and continue the matter to another hearing date. Commissioner Dove inquired if this application is approving only the first building or the entire project. Mr. Pavan stated that it is for the entire project at 400 students. The Commission could reduce the scope of the project and the number of students. Chair Barker inquired if the project complies with the school acreage numbers. Mr. Pavan stated it does not, but private schools are not required to meet the state required acreage figures. PUBLIC HEARING WAS OPENED Charles Bernstein, 445 East Charleston Road, Palo Alto, focused on the issues of importance due to the lateness of the hour. Representatives were available to answer any questions about the project and the school's academic program. The problems are traffic, circulation, parking, safety, and noise. EU are also concerned with these - problems and are interested in solutions, but they believe it is appropriate to have an elementary Planning Commission Mmutes Page 17 January 22, 1997