Planning Commission approves Energy Conservatory’s 1,140‑sq‑ft training building at 403 Hayward Avenue North

The Oakdale Planning Commission recommended approval on June 4 of a site plan amendment that will allow the Energy Conservatory to construct a detached 1,140‑square‑foot training building at 403 Hayward Avenue North.

Planning staff said the new standalone structure is intended as a training center with incomplete mock apartment units that permit realistic instruction in energy audits, weatherization and building testing. Staff noted the existing Energy Conservatory facility is about 25,000 square feet and that the request would remove four parking spaces from the site’s 97‑space lot, leaving 93 spaces—still above the city requirement of 69. Staff also said at least 50% of the addition must be built of class‑one materials, and the proposed elevations are primarily brick veneer and glass, which meet that standard. Staff recommended approval with conditions including civil engineering approval, confirmation that the building not be used as a dwelling, a prohibition on subdividing the parcel while the structure remains, rooftop screening details and a photometric plan at building permit stage.

A commissioner asked how far the proposed structure would be from the 4th Street walkway; staff responded that the walking path is in the right‑of‑way, the building would be about 20 feet from the property line and closer to 50 feet from the sidewalk/trail. The applicant was not present for the June 4 meeting.

A motion to recommend approval of the site plan amendment was moved, seconded and approved by voice vote. The approval is subject to the conditions read into the record and to any required permits from outside agencies.