Planning commission recommends approval for Math and Science Academy 1,525‑student upper school near Bailey Road

The Woodbury City Planning Commission on Jan. 13 recommended approval of Math and Science Academy’s application to build a new 1,525‑student upper school campus off Bailey Road at Fairway Drive, subject to conditions in the staff report. The project (27‑2024‑00563) seeks a comprehensive plan amendment, rezoning from R2 Single‑Family Estate District to R4 Urban Residential District, a planned unit development (PUD), a conditional‑use permit (CUP), a preliminary plat and site‑and‑building plan.

City staff described the site plan and conditions and said municipal utilities from the Bailey Lake residential neighborhood can now serve the property — a change staff used to justify the comprehensive plan amendment. Staff also summarized required traffic improvements, trees to be removed and replaced, and public benefits under the PUD, including a shared‑use agreement for gym space, a new athletic field and replacement of Mile Drive with a 10‑foot city‑owned trail corridor.

Why it matters: The proposal would relocate MSA’s grades 6–12 campus to a larger site and increase upper‑school enrollment from about 730 students at the existing facility to 1,525 at the proposed campus. The project adds new vehicle traffic, a signalized intersection at Bailey Road and Fairway Drive, and a community athletic field that will be available under a shared‑use agreement with the city. Commissioners scrutinized traffic queuing, on‑site parking and the adequacy of landscaping and noise/light mitigation for adjacent homes.

Key project elements and conditions

- Enrollment and schedule: The applicant seeks approval for a campus sized to serve about 1,525 students. The proposed daily schedule for the new school is a 9:20 a.m. start and a 4 p.m. release; staff said the staggered times are a required condition of approval and must remain unless the City Council and staff approve…