MMW site plan CC FOF signedCITY OF CHANHASSEN
CARVER AND HENNEPIN COLINTIES. MINNESOTA
FINDINGS OF FACT
AND DECISION
IN RE: Application of Minnetonka Independent School District 276 - Planning Case No. 2026-
04, Minnetonka Middle School West Addition, tbr a site plan review.
On March 17,2026. the Chanhassen Planning Commission met at its regularly scheduled
meeting to consider the application of Minnetonka Independent School District 276 for a public
middle school addition. The Planning Commission conducted a public hearing on the proposed
development. preceded by a published and mailed notice. The Planning Commission heard
testimony from all interested persons wishing to speak and recommended approval ofthe
requested site plan review based upon the city ordinances in effect at the time. On April 13.
2026. the Chanhassen City Council met at its scheduled meeting to consider the application
referenced above and based upon the ordinances currently in place the City Council makes the
following:
FINDINGS OF FACT
l. The property is currently zoned Office & lnstitutional (OI).
2. The property is guided in the Land Use Plan for Public and Semi-Public Uses
3. The legal description ofthe property is described in Exhibit A.
SITE PLAN REVIEW FINDINGS
The Applicant has requested approval ofthe site plan dated February 13.2026. prepared by
ATSR and VAA Consultants.
2. 1'he zoning ordinance directs the City to consider nine possible adverse effects ofthe
proposed site plan. The nine effects and our lindings regarding them are:
a) ls consistent with the elements and objectives of the city's development guides,
including the comprehensive plan. oflicial road mapping. and other plans that may be
adopted.
Findinp: The site plan is consislenl with the 2010 Comprehensive plans ond other
re le vant deve lopment gui de s.
b) ls consistent with the site plan review requirements
Findine: The site plan is consislenl y,ith the sile plon reviev' requirements.
c) Preserves the site in its natural state to the extent practicable by minimizing tree and
soil removal and designing grade changes to be in keeping with the general
appearance of the neighboring developed or developing or developing areas.
Findine: The prt4tosed design minimizes tree removals ond grading n keep v,ilh the
appearonce of surrounding areas.
d) Creation ofa harmonious relationship ofbuildings and open spaces with natural site
features and with existing and future buildings having a visual relationship to the
development.
Finding: The proposed design.'reales a harmonious relolionship betveen the existing
building, lhe proposed addilions, the outdoor recreolionul area, and lhe natural
are0s.
e) Creates a functional and harmonious design for structures and site features. with
special anention to the following:
i. An internal sense oforder lbr the buildings and use on the site and provision ofa
desirable environment for occupants. visitors and general community:
ii. The amount and location ofopen space and landscaping;
iii. Materials. textures. colors and details of construction as an expression ofthe
design concept and the compatibility ofthe same with adjacent and neighboring
structures and uses: and
iv. Vehicular and pedestrian circulation. including walkways. interior drives and
parking in terms oflocation and number ol'access points to the public streets.
width of interior drives and access points, general interior circulation, separation
of pedestrian and vehicular tra{fic and arrangemenl and amount ol'parking.
Findine: The proposed sile plun does creutc on interrutl sense ol orular.fbr the
huildings onrl uscs on the site through lhe bolunce o/ londst'uping, molariul
upplications, und improved c it'ctlolion.fbr pedeslrians urul tehicles.
l) Protects adjacent and neighboring properties through reasonable provision for surface
water drainage. sound and sight buffers. preservation of views. light and air and those
aspects of design not adequately covered by other regulations which may have
substantial effects on neighboring land uses.
Findine: The .sita plun us ltnrynsed doc.s prt)lecl adiocenl und neighboring ptttperlia.s
fin'.utrfirce tl:,lcr dntinage , xtund urul sighl hufJers, prcsarwtlion o/ riau'.:. light und
uir thut tould huv.suhstuntiul tllects on neighboring lurul use.s.
h) Within the BluffCreek Overlay (BCO)district. consistency with the purpose. intent
and standards o[the BCO district.
Findine: The proposed site plan is nol v,ilhin the Blu/l Creek Olerkry Distrio
i) Maintain an acceptable road system level ofservice.
Findins: The proposed site plan maintains an acceptable roud svslem level of sen,ice. The
proposed site odditions oncl olterotions will not result in addilionol scltool ertrollmenl
or slaff or increuse traf/ic volumes.
Approval ofthis site plan is contingent ryton lhe condilions listed in the sluffreport #26-01
daled April 8, 2026, prepared hy Rachel .leske et ol.
3. The planning report #2026-04 dated April 8,2026. prepared by Rachel Jeske et al. is
incorporated herein.
g) Within the Highway Corridor (HC) districts. consistency with the purpose. intent and
standards of the HC districts.
Findine: The pntposed site plon is not v'ithin lhe Highway Corridor Di.strict.
DECISION
The City Council approves the proposed site plan based on the findings offact included herein,
and subject to the conditions of the staff report.
ADOPTED by the Chanhassen City Council this l31h day of April. 2026.
CHANHASSEN CITY COUNCIL
6,t^ ft4*BY:
BY:
tt'M^yi I
'\A^^/{4r,1+vw64l/[\
Its City Manager
.1
Exhibit A
The Southwest Quarter (SW %) of the Northwest Quarter (NW %) of Section Three (3), Township
One Hundred Sixteen (ll6), Range Twenty Three (23) West. according to the U.S. Covemment
Survey tlrereof. excepting therefrom the 35i l00ths acres conveyed by deed recorded in the office of
the Register of Deeds ofCarver County, Minnesota. in Book 8 ofDeeds, page 400. and that part
thereolconveyed by deed recorded in the office ofthe Register ofDeeds ofCarver County,
Minnesota, in Block 4l ofDeeds, page 322. and subject to the right, title and interest ofthe State of
Minnesota in that strip ofland conveyed by deed recorded in the office ofRegister ofDeeds of
Carver County. Minnesota. in Block 33 of Deeds, page 25.
Also that part of Lot E. Bardwell Acres. not conveyed by said deed recorded in the oflice ofthe
Register of Deeds of Carver County, Minnesota. in Book 4 I of Deeds. page 322.
Subject to a permanent easement lor roadway purposes as recorded in the office ofthe Register of
Deeds ofCarver County. Minnesota. in Book 64 ofDeeds. page 32.
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