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Council approves Minnetonka Middle School East expansion and new bus corral to improve traffic and safety
Summary
The council approved a conditional-use permit and final site/building plans for Minnetonka Middle School East that add about 11% to the building (new gym/auditorium, science labs), create a west-side 22-bus corral, reconfigure pickup/drop-off circulation and add parking and signal work; planning commission had recommended approval.
Staff presented the Minnetonka Middle School East (MME) proposal, explaining building additions (gymnasium/auditorium, science classrooms and interior updates) representing roughly an 11% increase in building size and site reconfiguration to address persistent pickup, drop‑off and neighborhood parking concerns.
Key site changes include a new west-side bus corral sized for 22 buses (and up to 93 passenger vehicles for events), earthwork/retaining-wall grading reviewed by engineering and natural resources staff, and an east-side reconfiguration of circulation to move two rows of vehicles along the building with three pickup areas to reduce on-site queuing. Staff and the city traffic consultant said the redesign should improve on-site flow, reduce spillover parking in adjacent neighborhoods and better accommodate event parking.
Architect David Maroney described anticipated benefits: a stage and seating for about 750 people, new science labs, improved accessibility with a new elevator and relocated handicapped parking, and increased on-site parking. Construction timing is targeted to minimize school‑year disruptions and use summer working windows where applicable.
Council voted to adopt resolutions approving both the conditional use permit and final site and building plans, as recommended by the Planning Commission and staff. Council members said they expect the redesign to reduce neighborhood parking impacts and improve student safety during drop‑off and pickup.
Why it matters: the project implements voter‑approved referendum funds to modernize MME facilities and addresses recurring traffic and safety problems at a heavily used school site; construction scheduling will be coordinated with Hopkins schools and community notices will follow.
