HomeMy WebLinkAbout07 HWA - CUP Project Narrative 2020_03_03
March 3, 2020
CUP Project Narrative
The Headwaters Academy, Inc.
Site Plan/CUP Application
Project Narrative
The Headwaters Academy, Inc. (HWA) proposes to reuse the existing building at 1005 Durston Road to
house its Administration Staff on the second floor as well as house community activities on the first level
such as meetings for community associations, clubs and groups; host public presentations and functions;
and be available for general public rental.
HWA also proposes to build a new building on the property, southeast of the existing house, to house
the student classrooms and activity areas. In addition, HWA will improve the site by adding a new water
service to the new building, fire hydrant, parking facilities with 59 new parking spaces, and landscaped
grounds as shown in the accompanying documents and plans. HWA proposes to reuse the existing
garage as a garage, in which HWA will park two school vans, and construct a new paved, curbed and
guttered access drive to service it.
New pedestrian walkways are proposed for the spaces between the buildings and sheltered bike parking
is proposed to be located south of the classroom building adjacent to Durston Road. The north and east
fields of the property are proposed to be left open for outdoor activities.
A. The project site is perfectly suited for a small independent education facility that supports earth
science, horticulture and health education capitalizing on the natural resources located on and
adjacent to the property. During the weekdays, during school hours, the site will be utilized for
education purposes of The Headwaters Academy (HWA). In the later part of the weekdays and the
weekends, HWA will have the opportunity to open its doors to the community for use as a
Community Center.
With ample open space south of the existing building, we have provided ample parking for use of
the new and existing buildings as both a School and a Community Center. The relatively flat site
allows for easy pedestrian circulation from locations off site as well as from the on-site parking areas
to and amongst the buildings, new and existing. Screening of the parking areas from residential
adjacency is easily accomplished with planted hedges.
The expansive north and east yards have been left open for outdoor activities of both the school and
Community Center.
B. The project property is surrounded on the South and West sides by existing residences from which
potential students will be able walk to school. In addition to the residences, Bozeman’s only
currently operating High School sits just southwest across Durston Road. It is the hope of HWA to
interact on a regular basis with the High School though programs and activities suited to both
Educational Groups.
North and East of the project site is currently open undeveloped space. The Bozeman Community
Plan 2009 designates the future use of this area as Residential. This use melds nicely with that of
School/Community Center and no material adverse effect is foreseen upon the abutting properties.