26-01 CC Presentation UpdatedPlanning Case #2026-04
Minnetonka Middle School West
Addition
Planning Commission –March 17, 2026
City Council –April 13, 2026
Applicant –Minnetonka Independent School District 276
Requesting Site Plan Approval
Development Location
Current Zoning Designation:
Office & Institutional (OI)
2040 Land Use Plan
Public/Semi Public
Communications
•Proposed Development Sign placed on property on 2/25/26
•Neighborhood Meeting on 3/3/26 - no attendees
•Email sent to the “Proposed Developments” email group on
3/5/26
•Postcards sent to neighbors within 500 ft on 3/5/26
•Public Hearing Notice posted in the Sun Sailor on 3/5/26
Level of City Discretion
The city’s discretion in approving or denying a site plan is
limited to whether or not the proposed project complies with
zoning ordinance requirements.
If it meets these standards, the city shall approve the site plan.
This is a quasi-judicial decision.
1.(Is / Is Not) consistent with the elements of development guides, including the Comprehensive
Plan
2.(Is / Is Not) consistent with the site plan review requirements
3.(Does / Does Not) preserve the site in its natural state to the extent practicable
4.(Does / Does Not) create a harmonious relationship of buildings and open space
5.(Does / Does Not) create a harmonious design for structures and site features
6.(Does / Does Not) protect adjacent neighboring properties through reasonable provisions for
drainage, buffers, view preservation, light, and air
7.(Is / Is Not) within the Highway Corridor districts consistent with the purpose, intent and
standards in the HC district.
8.(Is / Is Not) within the Bluff Creek Overlay (BCO) district, consistent with the purpose, intent, and
standards in the BCO district.
9.(Does / Does Not) maintain an acceptable road system level of service
Site Plan Review
Site Plan Review
Existing Proposed
Architecture – Classroom Addition
Proposed Materials:
•Multi-color tan face brick
•White face brick
•Metal Panel
Architecture – Gymnasium Addition
Proposed
Materials:
•Precast Concrete
Panels
•Metal Panels
•Tan Face Brick
•White Face Brick
Architecture - Rendering
Site Plan Review
Landscaping:
• Existing and proposed canopy coverage exceed city requirements
•21 trees are proposed to be transplanted
•12 trees & 66 shrubs are proposed to be planted
•The buffer yard planting plan must be finalized
•All plantings must meet city diversity requirements
Site Plan Review
Screening:
•Screening shall be accomplished through the use of walls, fencing,
dense plantings or any combination which is equally effective in the
winter as in the summer.
•The proposed plans do not show the required screening for
mechanical equipment.
•Screening of all proposed rooftop mechanical equipment must be
shown on plans prior to the issuance of a building permit.
Site Plan Review
Lighting
•Proposed light posts meet height, cut off angle, and light
level requirements
•Any lighting proposed to be attached to the building must be
confirmed to also meet these requirements
Site Plan Review – Setbacks
Ordinance Requirements Subject Site
Lot Area 15,000 square feet 1,338,842 square feet
Lot Coverage 65%45.7%
Building Height
Principal 2 stories/35'2 stories/~33'
Building Setbacks – Classroom Addition
Front 35’35.75’
Site Plan Review – Setbacks
Ordinance Requirements Subject Site
Building Setbacks – Gymnasium Addition
Rear 30'~615'
Side (South)15'~211'
Accessory Structure Setbacks (Track)
Rear 30’~45’
Side (South)15’40’
Site Plan Review – Setbacks
Ordinance Requirements Subject Site
Parking Setbacks
Rear 50'~566'
Side (South)50'29'*
*Parking layout must be modified so that parking spaces maintain their existing
setback.The existing parking setback is approximately 48 feet.
Site Plan Review – Parking
City Code Section 20-1124(b)(21)requires that junior high
schools provide “four parking spaces for each classroom or
office room plus one space for each 150 square feet of
seating area including aisles, in any auditorium or gymnasium
or cafeteria intended to be used as an auditorium.”
Site Plan Review – Parking
*There are currently 340 parking stalls on site
Existing Code Required
Classrooms &
Offices 72 1 per 4 288
Auditorium 5,877 1 per 150 sf 39
Total 327*
Site Plan Review – Parking
Condition: A proof of parking plan must be provided, and a proof of parking
agreement must be approved by the City Council for the additional spaces.
Proposed Code Required
Classrooms &
Offices 76 1 per 4 304
Auditorium 6,334 1 per 150 sf 42
Total 346
Existing Required Proposed Difference
Total 340 346 342 4
Traffic
•A traffic memo was
submitted by SRF Consulting
on February 27, 2026.
•The proposed school
additions and alterations
will not result in additional
school enrollment or staff or
increase traffic volumes.
Grading & Drainage – Existing Conditions
•Two existing wet detention
ponds on site
•North portion of site drains
to storm sewer in HWY 41
•South portion of site drains
to wetland just south of the
site
•A small portion of drainage
go to southern drainage
ditch
Grading & Drainage – Proposed
•Proposing two surface filtration basins and one sand filtration section located under the turf field.
•Stormwater models and reports must be updated based on staff comments to verify compliance with City Code.
•Any stormwater proposed to be discharged towards HWY 41 right-of-way must be approved by MnDOT
1.(IS) consistent with the elements of development guides, including the
Comprehensive Plan
2.(IS) consistent with the site plan review requirements
3.(DOES) preserve the site in its natural state to the extent practicable
4.(DOES) create a harmonious relationship of buildings and open space
5.(DOES) create a harmonious design for structures and site features
6.(DOES) protect adjacent neighboring properties through reasonable provisions for
drainage, buffers, view preservation, light, and air
7.(IS NOT) within the Highway Corridor districts.
8.(IS NOT) within the Bluff Creek Overlay (BCO) district
9.(DOES) maintain an acceptable road system level of service
Site Plan Review
Planning Commission Recommendation
“The Planning Commission recommends approval
of the requested site plan and findings of fact and
decision subject to the updating of plans based
on staff review comments.”
City Council Discussion
Proposed Motion
“The Chanhassen City Council approves the
requested site plan for building additions and site
alterations to Minnetonka Middle School West,
subject to the conditions of approval, and adopts
the attached Findings of Fact and Decision.”
Supplemental Informtion