Council approves special‑permit for Casa Loma College to occupy office building at 1202 Richardson Drive

The council opened a public hearing on zoning file ZF 26‑03 and heard staff and applicant presentations before approving a special permit to allow Casa Loma College to operate a private university at 1202 Richardson Drive.

Christine, a planner in the Development Services Department, explained the request would convert approximately 31,000 square feet of a 79,400 square‑foot office building into classroom, lab and administrative space for Casa Loma College. Staff told council estimated total enrollment is 450 students with an estimated average daily on‑site population of about 150 students due to a staggered, hybrid schedule. Staff said the comparable parking ratio (1 space per 100 sq ft of classroom area) yields a requirement of 173 parking spaces for the college portion, leaving a surplus of on‑site spaces to serve the remaining office tenants.

Skye Thibodeau, representing the applicant (Mission Ridge Consultants), and a Casa Loma representative described a phased occupancy plan (top floor under construction through 2028; first and second floors used for offices and touring classrooms initially), the trip‑generation memo prepared with Kimley‑Horn (which estimated modest additional daily trips and distributed peak activity across the day), and neighborhood outreach (letters and HOA contact with no recorded opposition). Thibodeau said the lease term is 10 years with two 5‑year options and noted estimated tuition for a two‑year degree is approximately $40,000.

With no public speakers on the item, Mayor Pro Tem Huchenrider moved to close the public hearing and later moved to approve ZF 26‑03; Councilmember Arfin seconded and the motion passed unanimously. The Planning Commission had unanimously recommended approval with three conditions: conformance to the concept plan, defined expiration/termination terms, and establishment of the parking ratio.

Staff said no off‑site right‑of‑way improvements were required per the traffic memo and that the college will bring existing security and emergency response plans from its other campuses to the Richardson site. Council approved the special permit; staff will record conditions and follow the normal permitting steps for building and occupancy as the phased work progresses.