Site Selection and Acquisition

Transcription

1 Site Selection and Acquisition School site selection and acquisition involve a diligent team effort by District staff, appropriate facility planning individuals and real property professionals in cooperation with local government officials, the school community and property owners. The District will maintain student yield/generation rate information, will calculate the student yields for elementary, middle and high school levels throughout the District and will re-examine these ratios periodically, as warranted. The District will also evaluate demographic and development trends to assist with determining the best locations for new schools. Building Capacities and Site Size Criteria The District shall maintain facility capacity standards for each school type. The following standards, as adjusted for scheduling efficiencies, apply: School Type Student Capacity Elementary 600 K Middle 900 Senior High 1,600 Certain minimum site sizes will be required for a site to fully accommodate facilities with the above student capacities. The following minimum net usable acreage standards are required: Site Selection Criteria Minimum Net School Type Usable Acres Elementary 12 K-8 25 Middle 25 High 60 K School sites may be acquired through various methods but the following criteria are to be considered when evaluating school sites in the selection process: A. the net developable size of the site needed to satisfy applicable school needs as stated above, B. appropriate site configuration for school use, which must be square or rectangular in shape, but not 3x5 in proportion, Falcon School District #49, El Paso County, Colorado Page 1 of 5

2 C. location with respect to the area to be served and compatibility with surrounding land uses, D. appropriate vehicular pedestrian access and circulation for proposed use; 1. Access to as many sides as possible (minimum of two); 2. Site configuration and surrounding street alignments will provide for separate access of school buses and private vehicles; 3. Location needs to maximize walking and limit crossing of major arterials. Elementary schools may not be adjacent to or have access to arterials; middle and high schools may have access to arterials via collector streets. E. the suitability of topography for school use. There may not be excessive or inadequate slopes on the site. ADA limits slopes on sites to less that 5%; however slopes of less than 2% do not provide adequate drainage, F. drainage, flood zones, storm water systems; 1. Structures may not be built in 100 year flood plains, but play fields may if there are no related safety hazards. Elementary school sites may never be built in flood plains. 2. There shall be no standing water on school sites such as retention ponds. G. geologic/soils report, Geo-technical consultant and Colorado Geological Survey. The sites must have good soil: 1. no expansive soils, 2. no collapsible grained soils, 3. no rock beds, 4. no toxic materials or debris may be present, 5. ground water must be at least twelve (12) feet below the surface. H. impact of the easements and rights of way, I. availability and adequacy of utilities including; storm water, domestic water, sewer, natural gas, electricity and telecommunications. J. municipal services such as fire and police protection, recreational programs, etc.; Falcon School District #49, El Paso County, Colorado Page 2 of 5

3 K. natural/environmental factors such as: 1. orientation, exposure, and micro-climate of site. 2. wetlands. 3. air traffic patterns-school sites may not be in the NO CONSTRUCTION Zone (1.5 miles from the ends or sides of the runway surface) or in Zone A (3 miles from the end of the runway). 4. electromagnetic fields, - in regards to high voltage power transmission lines, school sites should not be within: a. 100 feet from the edge of an easement for a Kv line. b. 150 feet from the edge of an easement for a Kv line c. 350 feet from the edge of an easement for a Kv line. 5. buried high pressure gas lines may not be located on school sites. 6. school sites must be at least one mile from any propane farm or storage facility. 7. school sites must be at least 1000 feet from a medical marijuana dispensary 8. mine activity 9. hazardous materials a. There may be no hazardous waste and may not be adjacent to or downstream from landfill areas. b. There may be no geologic hazards such as asbestos, oil or gas. 10. lakes, streams, irrigation ditches, etc. 10. trucks on highways may carry hazardous materials. There must be an offset of at least 2,500 feet when explosives are carried and an offset of at least 1,500 feet when combustible or poisonous gases are transported. L. natural/environmental Anticipated relative cost for site development, and M. evidence of clear title to the property. Falcon School District #49, El Paso County, Colorado Page 3 of 5

4 Methods of Site Acquisition Site acquisition may be accomplished by any of the following methods: Dedication Dedication involves the appropriation of land for school use by a private owner or public entity. The District will identify appropriate school sites and endeavor to obtain dedication of those sites in conjunction with the review of land development rezoning and subdivision requests submitted to the District. Negotiated purchase or lease An appraisal by a certified real estate appraiser will be obtained by the District to establish a basis for determining fair market value in negotiating the purchase price for school sites. Sites may be obtained by direct purchase, installment purchase, lease agreement with or without the option to purchase, or similar agreement approved by the Board and subject to state law. Eminent domain The exercise of eminent domain refers to the District's right to take property for public use upon payment of just compensation. This method of acquisition is called a condemnation proceeding. Board approval is required for such a condemnation proceeding to be initiated. However, consultation with the District s attorney is required prior to initiating this process. Exchange This transaction involves the exchange of property ownership between the District and one or more other property owners. In order to facilitate judicious decision making regarding determination of fair market value for each property, an appraisal will be obtained by the District from a certified real estate appraiser on the properties to be exchanged. The District shall consult with the applicable land use authority before completing a land exchange. Title Conveyance An ownership and encumbrance report or title commitment prepared by an abstract or Title Company will be obtained for any property to be acquired. Title to the property will be conveyed to the District in fee simple and not subject to any conditions, including reversion clauses, which would limit title to the property without approval by the Board. If ownership is received directly from a private party, conveyance is to be by general or special warranty deed. Conveyance from a county or municipality is preferred via general or special warranty deed but may be Falcon School District #49, El Paso County, Colorado Page 4 of 5

5 accomplished by quit claim deed if the county or municipality holds title to the property free and clear of any encumbrances, et cetera. The property will not be subject to any easements or rights of way that adversely affect full utilization of property. Adopted: December 9, LEGAL REFS: C.R.S (1) (a), (b), (1), (y) (Board of education-specific powers) C.R.S (power of eminent domain) Part 12, Article 7, Chapter 7 of the Code of the City of Colorado Springs CROSS REFS: FEE, Site Selection and Acquisition Criteria Falcon School District #49, El Paso County, Colorado Page 5 of 5