Discussion:
Planning staff are proposing a zoning text amendment to allow schools licensed by the MN Department of Education that serve students in grades Kindergarten – 12th grade in the B-1, Highway Business Zone as a conditional use.
Currently, the educational uses of childcare / pre-schools and colleges and universities are permitted conditionally in the Highway Business zone. Other institutional uses, such as clinics, churches, and public buildings are allowed in the B-1 zone. Staff believes schools are a similar use to other listed institutional uses in the zone and is proposing a text amendment. A copy of the B-1 zoning district regulations is attached.
Planning staff believes Highway Business properties are also an appropriate location for schools, as sites are typically adjacent to collector and arterial roadways, which allows for public transit to serve students at future schools that don’t receive traditional bus service. Many of the existing schools in residential zones have accesses to collector / arterial roadways (East Junior High, West Junior High, Shakopee High School, Sweeney, Pearson, Sun Path, and Jackson). Currently, schools for students in grades K-12 are permitted conditional uses in the residential zones, except R-4, High Density Residential Zone.
A charter school has submitted a conditional use permit application for a site in Shakopee Town Square; with the hope of this text amendment being approved. If the text amendment is approved by the City Council, the charter school’s conditional use permit would be reviewed at the April 6th Board of Adjustment Meeting.