Site Information
Applicant: Shakopee Public Schools
Property Owner: Shakopee Public Schools
Location: South of County Road 78 and west of County Road 79
Current Zoning: Urban Expansion Reserve (UER) Zone (Jackson Township)
No Shakopee Zoning Designation

Comp. Plan: Institution
Lot Size: 88 Acres (approx.)

Introduction
Mike Redmond, Superintendent, Shakopee Public Schools submitted an application requesting the annexation of an approximately 88-acre parcel located at the southwest corner of County Road 78 and County Road 79; and to zone the property as Rural Residential (RR) District. Mr. Redmond stated that the annexation has a number of benefits for the school district in terms of both immediate uses and long term planning.

The rezoning is being done in conjunction with the annexation to avoid creating an un-zoned parcel of land within the City of Shakopee.

Annexation Discussion
Currently the property is used as an athletic field complex (approx. 14 sports fields for soccer, lacrosse, etc.). There are no immediate plans for any other use of this property, but the school district does reference this area as a future site for an additional school, so they are being proactive to have their property annexed from Jackson Township into the City of Shakopee. There is one parcel to the west of this site that is also owned by the District, however, that parcel is surrounded by Jackson Township property and State Statute Chapter 414 state that parcel is ineligible for annexation at this time since it is not contiguous to the city limits.

The annexation property, while presently located outside the city, is within the area identified in the orderly annexation agreement between the City and Jackson Township. The requirement for consideration of annexation states that for a property owner initiated annexation, the subject property needs to abut with Shakopee’s municipal boundary and that shared border needs to be at least 50 lineal feet. The subject property meets this requirement as its entire east boundary line is adjacent to the city limits. 

Staff, the applicant and outside agencies have spent time reviewing this submittal, and there do not appear to be any significant issues with this annexation/rezoning request. The applicant is directed to contact City Engineering staff regarding improvements/documents that should be provided as part of this annexation (see attached City Engineering Memo dated April 29, 2020), and contact SPUC should there be a need for municipal water service in the future for this site.

Rezoning Considerations
The City Council may grant a zoning ordinance amendment when it finds that one or more of the following criteria exists:

1. The original zoning ordinance is in error.
2. Significant changes in goals in community goals and policies have taken place.
3. Significant changes in city-wide or neighborhood development patterns have occurred.
4. The comprehensive plan requires another provision.

Staff believes revising the zoning for this property meets more than one of the criteria. The current zoning of the property is covered by the Scott County Zoning ordinance and per the annexation process, this zoning designation remains until changed and approved by the City. The parcel is currently zoned Urban Expansion Reserve (UER); the rezoning will align the parcel with an appropriate City zoning designation with the use as an athletic field complex consistent with both that zoning and the guiding.