CITY OF MANASSAS CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT WEEMS ...
CITY OF MANASSAS CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT WEEMS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL SUP #2017-05
Proposed Use: This is a request for a special use permit condition amendment to extend the use of up to six modular classrooms at Weems Elementary School until 2023. Location: The subject property is 8750 Weems Road, located at the intersection of Weems Road and Traveller Street. Existing Zoning: R-2S, Single-Family Residential (Small Lots) Parcel Size: ±15.3 acres Comprehensive Plan Designation: Suburban Neighborhood Date Accepted for Review: March 28, 2017 Planning Commission Hearing: May 3, 2017 City Council Hearing: June 19, 2017
MEMORANDUM CITY OF MANASSAS Department of Community Development
SUP #2017-05, Weems Elementary School 8750 Weems Road Public Hearing Dates: Planning Commission: May 3, 2017 City Council: June 19, 2017 Recommendation: Staff: Approve as Conditioned Planning Commission: Approve as Conditioned OVERVIEW OF REQUEST Request: This is a request for a special use permit condition amendment to SUP #2012-11 and SUP #1985-06 to continue to allow up to six modular classrooms at Weems Elementary School until 2023. Surrounding Land Uses:
Single-Family Residential
Single-Family Residential Townhouses
Weems Elementary School Modular Classrooms Single-Family Residential
Single-Family Residential
SUP #2017-05, Weems Elementary School June 16, 2017 Page 2
Level of Service: Any level of service impacts related to this request would be mitigated by the conditions dated April 28, 2017. PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Planning Commission held a public hearing on May 3, 2017, and recommended approval as conditioned by a vote of 6-0. Planning Commission minutes and resolution are attached. STAFF RECOMMENDATION Staff finds that the applicant’s proposal is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan and, with the proposed mitigating conditions, is compatible with adjacent land uses. Staff recommends approval of SUP #2017-05, Weems Elementary School, as conditioned dated April 28, 2017. Staff: Kelly Davis, AICP Contact Information: 703-257-8225, [email protected] Attachments: 1. Staff Analysis 2. Conditions dated April 28, 2017 3. Generalized Development Plan (GDP) 4. Planning Commission Minutes 5. Planning Commission Resolution
Agency comments have been incorporated into Attachment 1. Staff Analysis. Application and preliminary agency comments are available at the Department of Community Development office (9027 Center Street, Room 202, Manassas, VA 20110) and can be provided upon request.
SUP #2017-05, Weems Elementary School June 16, 2017 Page 3
ATTACHMENT 1: STAFF ANALYSIS Background and History: The City of Manassas School Board is the owner of a parcel of land on Weems Road that contains Weems Elementary School. Identified among the tax assessor's records as Tax Map #111-15-00-P, the 15.3 acre site is located at 8750 Weems Road near the intersection of Weems Road and Traveller Street. The property is bounded by the Weems Square and Landmark Square subdivisions to the south, and Traveller Street and Weems Road to the north and east. A school building containing 76,826 square feet, two parking areas containing 96 spaces, outdoor playgrounds and sport field areas, and existing modular classrooms are located on the property. The property is zoned R-2S, Single-Family Residential (Small Lots). Educational Facility (Primary/Secondary) uses are permitted in this zoning district subject to approval of a special use permit (SUP). SUP #1985-06 was approved on April 29, 1985 to allow three modular classrooms on the property. The most recent SUP for the property, SUP #2012-11, was approved on June 25, 2012, to allow an additional three modular classrooms with the condition that they be removed within five years of approval of the SUP, or June 25, 2017. The City of Manassas School Board, due to continued growth in student population, continues to require the use of modular classrooms at Weems Elementary School and requests approval to extend the use of these facilities until 2023 to coincide with the completion of the Dean Elementary School replacement facility per the adopted Capital Improvement Plan. Comprehensive Plan Analysis: The site is located in the Suburban Neighborhood Character Area of the Comprehensive Plan. Institutional uses are listed as an appropriate land use within this character area. Land Use Manassas will maintain its existing pattern of residential, commercial, and open space land uses, emphasize improved design principles, promote mixed uses compatible with existing neighborhoods, accommodate high quality infill and redevelopment where appropriate, and reinforce the unique and positive qualities of diverse neighborhoods. This request is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan and, with the proposed mitigating conditions, is compatible with adjacent land uses.
SUP #2017-05, Weems Elementary School June 16, 2017 Page 4
Goal/Objective/Strategy Staff Analysis Chapter 3: Land Use (Comprehensive Plan) Strategy 3.2.1: Assess development or No changes to the generalized development plan are redevelopment impacts on the visual proposed with this request, and no additional land use quality, markets, mobility and impacts are anticipated. cohesiveness of the community, and additional factors that otherwise define its character.
Mobility Manassas will have a safe, efficient, multi-modal transportation system with streets sufficient to support businesses and residents, providing public transportation and pedestrian- and bicyclefriendly facilities, while being sensitive to the design context of the City and its neighborhoods. Transportation improvements provided per the original SUP and site plan will be unaffected by this amendment. Public Safety Public Safety: Manassas City provides premier police, fire and rescue services and facilities, protecting the lives and property of our citizens with well-trained and equipped personnel closely engaged with the community. The City is prepared to respond to and protect against natural and man-made disasters and threats. No additional impacts to public safety are anticipated. Utilities Public Utilities: City of Manassas utilities are well-maintained to provide quality, dependable service to our citizens and are carefully planned to support economic development with sufficient system capacity to meet anticipated long-term growth in an environmentally sensitive manner. No additional impacts to utilities are anticipated. Educational Facilities Education: Manassas City will have one of the highest rated school systems in Northern Virginia, delivering outstanding academic and technical education programs in modern, functional, proven facilities where educational best practices, facility design, and technology combine to promote life-long learning and achievement.
SUP #2017-05, Weems Elementary School June 16, 2017 Page 5
Over the last several years, Manassas City Public Schools has seen an increase in student enrollment. While recent classroom reconfigurations and the construction of Baldwin Elementary has increased overall student capacity within the Manassas school system, the Manassas City Public Schools Facility Plan (2016-2030) shows potential capacity deficits as early as the 2017-2018 school year. According to this plan, capacity deficits are proposed to be addressed by the construction of a replacement facility for Dean Elementary School in 2023. The use of modular classrooms at Weems Elementary is proposed until 2023 to coincide with this timeframe. Goal/Objective/Strategy
Staff Analysis
Chapter 7: Community Facilities Objective 7.1: Provide state-of-the-art facilities and programs designed to meet the educational needs of City residents.
SUP condition amendment will enable Manassas City Public Schools to continue to meet the educational needs of elementary school students while new facilities are planned and constructed.
CONDITION ANALYSIS The complete set of recommended conditions is provided in Attachment 2. The existing conditions under SUPs #1985-06 and #2012-11 have been edited for clarity and amended to extend the use of modular classrooms at Weems Elementary School until 2023 to coincide with the completion of Dean Elementary School replacement facility. No changes are proposed to the generalized development plan for the site.
SUP #2017-05, Weems Elementary School June 16, 2017 Page 6
Proposed Use: This is a request for a special use permit condition amendment to extend the use of up to six modular classrooms at Weems Elementary School until 2023. Location: The subject property is 8750 Weems Road, located at the intersection of Weems Road and Traveller Street. Existing Zoning: R-2S, Single-Family Residential (Small Lots) Parcel Size: ±15.3 acres Comprehensive Plan Designation: Suburban Neighborhood Date Accepted for Review: March 28, 2017 Planning Commission Hearing: May 3, 2017 City Council Hearing: June 19, 2017
MEMORANDUM CITY OF MANASSAS Department of Community Development
SUP #2017-05, Weems Elementary School 8750 Weems Road Public Hearing Dates: Planning Commission: May 3, 2017 City Council: June 19, 2017 Recommendation: Staff: Approve as Conditioned Planning Commission: Approve as Conditioned OVERVIEW OF REQUEST Request: This is a request for a special use permit condition amendment to SUP #2012-11 and SUP #1985-06 to continue to allow up to six modular classrooms at Weems Elementary School until 2023. Surrounding Land Uses:
Single-Family Residential
Single-Family Residential Townhouses
Weems Elementary School Modular Classrooms Single-Family Residential
Single-Family Residential
SUP #2017-05, Weems Elementary School June 16, 2017 Page 2
Level of Service: Any level of service impacts related to this request would be mitigated by the conditions dated April 28, 2017. PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Planning Commission held a public hearing on May 3, 2017, and recommended approval as conditioned by a vote of 6-0. Planning Commission minutes and resolution are attached. STAFF RECOMMENDATION Staff finds that the applicant’s proposal is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan and, with the proposed mitigating conditions, is compatible with adjacent land uses. Staff recommends approval of SUP #2017-05, Weems Elementary School, as conditioned dated April 28, 2017. Staff: Kelly Davis, AICP Contact Information: 703-257-8225, [email protected] Attachments: 1. Staff Analysis 2. Conditions dated April 28, 2017 3. Generalized Development Plan (GDP) 4. Planning Commission Minutes 5. Planning Commission Resolution
Agency comments have been incorporated into Attachment 1. Staff Analysis. Application and preliminary agency comments are available at the Department of Community Development office (9027 Center Street, Room 202, Manassas, VA 20110) and can be provided upon request.
SUP #2017-05, Weems Elementary School June 16, 2017 Page 3
ATTACHMENT 1: STAFF ANALYSIS Background and History: The City of Manassas School Board is the owner of a parcel of land on Weems Road that contains Weems Elementary School. Identified among the tax assessor's records as Tax Map #111-15-00-P, the 15.3 acre site is located at 8750 Weems Road near the intersection of Weems Road and Traveller Street. The property is bounded by the Weems Square and Landmark Square subdivisions to the south, and Traveller Street and Weems Road to the north and east. A school building containing 76,826 square feet, two parking areas containing 96 spaces, outdoor playgrounds and sport field areas, and existing modular classrooms are located on the property. The property is zoned R-2S, Single-Family Residential (Small Lots). Educational Facility (Primary/Secondary) uses are permitted in this zoning district subject to approval of a special use permit (SUP). SUP #1985-06 was approved on April 29, 1985 to allow three modular classrooms on the property. The most recent SUP for the property, SUP #2012-11, was approved on June 25, 2012, to allow an additional three modular classrooms with the condition that they be removed within five years of approval of the SUP, or June 25, 2017. The City of Manassas School Board, due to continued growth in student population, continues to require the use of modular classrooms at Weems Elementary School and requests approval to extend the use of these facilities until 2023 to coincide with the completion of the Dean Elementary School replacement facility per the adopted Capital Improvement Plan. Comprehensive Plan Analysis: The site is located in the Suburban Neighborhood Character Area of the Comprehensive Plan. Institutional uses are listed as an appropriate land use within this character area. Land Use Manassas will maintain its existing pattern of residential, commercial, and open space land uses, emphasize improved design principles, promote mixed uses compatible with existing neighborhoods, accommodate high quality infill and redevelopment where appropriate, and reinforce the unique and positive qualities of diverse neighborhoods. This request is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan and, with the proposed mitigating conditions, is compatible with adjacent land uses.
SUP #2017-05, Weems Elementary School June 16, 2017 Page 4
Goal/Objective/Strategy Staff Analysis Chapter 3: Land Use (Comprehensive Plan) Strategy 3.2.1: Assess development or No changes to the generalized development plan are redevelopment impacts on the visual proposed with this request, and no additional land use quality, markets, mobility and impacts are anticipated. cohesiveness of the community, and additional factors that otherwise define its character.
Mobility Manassas will have a safe, efficient, multi-modal transportation system with streets sufficient to support businesses and residents, providing public transportation and pedestrian- and bicyclefriendly facilities, while being sensitive to the design context of the City and its neighborhoods. Transportation improvements provided per the original SUP and site plan will be unaffected by this amendment. Public Safety Public Safety: Manassas City provides premier police, fire and rescue services and facilities, protecting the lives and property of our citizens with well-trained and equipped personnel closely engaged with the community. The City is prepared to respond to and protect against natural and man-made disasters and threats. No additional impacts to public safety are anticipated. Utilities Public Utilities: City of Manassas utilities are well-maintained to provide quality, dependable service to our citizens and are carefully planned to support economic development with sufficient system capacity to meet anticipated long-term growth in an environmentally sensitive manner. No additional impacts to utilities are anticipated. Educational Facilities Education: Manassas City will have one of the highest rated school systems in Northern Virginia, delivering outstanding academic and technical education programs in modern, functional, proven facilities where educational best practices, facility design, and technology combine to promote life-long learning and achievement.
SUP #2017-05, Weems Elementary School June 16, 2017 Page 5
Over the last several years, Manassas City Public Schools has seen an increase in student enrollment. While recent classroom reconfigurations and the construction of Baldwin Elementary has increased overall student capacity within the Manassas school system, the Manassas City Public Schools Facility Plan (2016-2030) shows potential capacity deficits as early as the 2017-2018 school year. According to this plan, capacity deficits are proposed to be addressed by the construction of a replacement facility for Dean Elementary School in 2023. The use of modular classrooms at Weems Elementary is proposed until 2023 to coincide with this timeframe. Goal/Objective/Strategy
Staff Analysis
Chapter 7: Community Facilities Objective 7.1: Provide state-of-the-art facilities and programs designed to meet the educational needs of City residents.
SUP condition amendment will enable Manassas City Public Schools to continue to meet the educational needs of elementary school students while new facilities are planned and constructed.
CONDITION ANALYSIS The complete set of recommended conditions is provided in Attachment 2. The existing conditions under SUPs #1985-06 and #2012-11 have been edited for clarity and amended to extend the use of modular classrooms at Weems Elementary School until 2023 to coincide with the completion of Dean Elementary School replacement facility. No changes are proposed to the generalized development plan for the site.
SUP #2017-05, Weems Elementary School June 16, 2017 Page 6
