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Planning Commission backs Lakeview Academy site plan amendment after parking, traffic review
Summary
The Saratoga Springs Planning Commission voted to forward a recommendation to approve a major site plan amendment for Lakeview Academy at 527 West 400 North after staff and the applicant addressed utility, drainage and parking questions; the commission flagged nearby intersection congestion for future city improvements.
The Saratoga Springs Planning Commission on March 13 voted to forward a recommendation for approval of a major site plan amendment for Lakeview Academy, a charter school proposed at 527 West 400 North.
City planning staff said the amendment is largely compliant with zoning and noted several “shall comply” conditions related to utilities and storm drainage that are recorded in the staff and engineering reports. Staff told commissioners the city and applicant worked through required corrections and outstanding items.
The commission focused its discussion on off-street parking and traffic impacts. City-commissioned parking and traffic studies estimated a future on-site parking need of about 180 stalls; the applicant is providing 187 permanent parking stalls and an additional 60 event parking stalls on the property. Commissioners asked for details about how the 60 event stalls would be used; staff and the applicant said some of that capacity would come from temporarily opening gated areas and from portions of the site used for drop-off and pick-up during events.
Commissioners also raised intersections in the vicinity, including Mountain View Corridor and Redwood Road, where a traffic study forecasted a degraded level of service (LOS E) under projected conditions. Staff said those off-site intersections are known bottlenecks outside the scope of the site plan and indicated the city is budgeting improvements for the Mountain View Corridor/800 West/400 North intersection as part of future projects. Staff and commissioners discussed the school’s expected phased enrollment growth and that widening or signal projects could coincide with future development.
Mike Glosser attended as the applicant’s representative and Rick Vesey identified himself as principal of Lakeview Academy. An applicant representative (recorded as Mike Vowser) confirmed the applicant will comply with the city’s required utility, grading and drainage conditions.
Commissioner Hill moved that the commission forward a recommendation for approval of the Lakeview Academy major site plan amendment with the findings and conditions in the staff report; Commissioner Mangum seconded the motion. The commission voted in favor and forwarded the recommendation for approval.
The commission did not alter building height or materials requirements in its action; staff noted state law limits local regulation of exterior colors and materials. The item will proceed to the Council review process per the city’s land development procedures.
