Agenda - Planning Commission - 03/16/1999 - Special Meeting

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Site Plan Review: Waltek March 11, 1999 Page 2 of 5 Architectural Control: The plan proposes primarily smooth face concrete block on the exterior face of the proposed expansion, except on the office and main entrance portions of the north and east elevations where the plan proposes split face concrete block. The smooth face concrete block is a deviation fi.om City Code. Code requires all exterior finishes on any non-residential building be: a) face brick, b) natural stone, e) specifically designed pre-cast concrete units whose surfaces have been integrally treated with an applied decorative material or texture, or d) factory prefabricated or finished metal framed panel construction, if the panel, material is to be of those noted in a, b, or c above. The City Code does allow other materials if they are approved by the Planning Commission and City Council. Of course, any combination of the permitted materials may be used. The purpose of this Code is to improve the aesthetic image of the City's industrial and commercial districts, and to ensure that exterior materials are non- combustible, non-degradable and maintenance free. This property has been granted waivers to exterior facing requirements for past expansions. Access: Access from this development is proposed to be fi.om Sunfish Lake Boulevard. It is likely that a public road would benefit this general area in the future. It is desirable that such a roadway line up directly with 144~ Avenue, rather than be offset by 80 feet as is the current situation with the existing gravel drive. Currently, there is a 33-foot road easement which lies along the northern boundary of this property. Staff recommends the dedication of right-of-way over the northeastern corner of the property that would allow a cross intersection with 144a Avenue in return for releasing the 33-foot easement over the remainder of the property. The future public street would continue westward along the northern boundary of this property. This would provide the added benefit of bringing the existing non-conforming building setbacks into conformance with future street setbacks. The applicant will need to meet with the Anoka County Transportation Department to obtain any necessary permits for the new access to Sunfish Lake Boulevard. City Staff recommends, and the County may require, abandoning the current gravel driveway access. Setbacks: If the existing road easement along the northem boundary is vacated, the proposed expansion of the building will meets all setbacks. However, the existing principal building encroaches as much as 20 feet into the rear yard setback. (City code requires a 35-foot setback. The actual setback ranges fi.om 1 foot-2 inches to 15 feet.) The property owner applied for and received a 1 foot-2 inch variance fi.om the rear yard