Planning commission approves Rosemont High School expansion; residents press traffic concerns

The Rosemont Planning Commission on March 17 approved a site plan and building design to allow Independent School District 196 to renovate and expand Rosemont High School, including a new activity center, a three‑story classroom addition that the district says will add capacity for about 300 students, and a new parking lot that adds 60 stalls.

The vote followed a public hearing in which parents, nearby residents and a neighboring business owner raised repeated concerns about morning and afternoon vehicle backups on South Robert Trail, Chile Avenue and adjacent neighborhood streets. Commissioners and city staff said the city is coordinating with MnDOT and the district but emphasized that some traffic management decisions lie with the state and the school district.

Julia, city planning staff, told commissioners the project site sits on about 70 acres in the public institutional (PI) zoning district west of South Robert Trail and east of Carols Woods Park. The proposal includes a new activity center east of the existing building connected by a skyway, a three‑story classroom addition northwest of the existing structure, renovations to food service and library accessibility, and expanded circulation in existing courtyards. The plan meets PI zoning setbacks and other design standards, Julia said.

The district and its consultant told the commission the 60‑stall parking lot will raise on‑site parking from 948 stalls to 1,008. Julia and staff said the city's off‑street parking standard…