15.04.610.370

The design of structures shall incorporate setbacks, recesses, projections, upper-story stepbacks, and similar architectural measures to help diminish visible building bulk as seen from adjoining public streets.

Larger structures with high levels of activities and parking areas shall be located away from surrounding residential development that is smaller in scale or less intense.

new or replacement elementary schools, kindergarten through grade 5 or 6, generally shall not exceed 500 students in size, unless the Planning Commission determines that a larger facility is warranted at a specific location.

School campuses, excluding outdoor recreational areas, shall be subject to the minimum lighting standards set in Section 15.04.604.050 that apply to multi-family development. Entries shall be lighted to ensure the safety of persons and the security of buildings. Outdoor lighting that is not required for security shall be turned off when a building or outdoor recreational area is not in use.

The site shall be easily accessible from arterial or collector streets and shall allow minimum peripheral visibility from planned driveways and drop-off areas.

Accessory uses customarily found in conjunction with schools, including dormitories, gymnasiums, stadiums, performing arts facilities, and auditoriums, are permitted with an administrative use permit or a conditional use permit, as required for the principal use, provided such accessory uses are located on the same lot or a contiguous lot adjoining the school.

An administrative use permit is required if a new school will be located in an existing building, and any new space added to the building will not exceed 20 percent of existing floor area, excluding space if portable classrooms.

A conditional use permit is required for all new construction of schools and for additions to existing building that exceed 20 percent of existing floor area.

All outdoor play facilities that border a street or parking area shall be enclosed by a minimum six-foot high fence or wall.

If the proposed site is within 1,500 feet of an above-ground fuel storage tank or high pressure oil or gas pipeline, or within 2,000 feet of a hazardous waste disposal site, a hazards risk assessment shall be submitted with the use permit application, and recommendations of that assessment shall be incorporated into conditions of approval, as appropriate.

The minimum standard is 50 square feet of active play area per student. The Zoning Administrator or the Planning Commission, whichever has use permit approval authority, may reduce this requirement upon finding that (1) public parks are with one-quarter mile of the school and a joint-use agreement with the City has been executed, or (2) the scheduling of physical education (e.g., staggered recess times) permits more efficient use of on-site facilities. All outdoor play facilities that border a street or parking area shall be enclosed by a minimum six-foot high fence or wall.

If the proposed site is within 1,500 feet of a railroad track easement, a safety study shall be submitted with the use permit application, prepared by a competent professional trained in assessing the frequency, speed, and schedule of railroad traffic and pedestrian and vehicle safeguards at railroad crossings. In addition to the analysis, reasonable and feasible mitigation measures to address existing or potential safety issues must be identified, which shall be incorporated into conditions of approval, as appropriate.

Parent drop-off areas, bus loading areas if provided, and on-site parking shall be separated from walkways to allow students to enter and exit the school grounds safely.

The applicant shall provide a site plan with the use permit application that includes all of the following information: 1. The proposed enrollment and student capacity of the school; 2. The number and size of all classrooms; 3. The size and location of all indoor and outdoor areas for physical education; 4. The pedestrian and traffic circulation systems proposed for the site, include student drop-off areas; 5. The proposed parking, both on-site and off-site; and 6. A development phasing schedule, if the school will be developed in phases.

As prescribed by Article 15.04.607 (Parking and Loading Standards).