Agenda - Planning Commission - 02/07/1995

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Loading Area: For buildings ranging in size from 10,000 to 25,000 square feet, one loading dock is required. The loading area is required to be a minimum of 50 feet long. The loading dock is proposed at a size of 45 feet long. Loading docks are also required to be located at the rear of the building. However, it is Staff's understanding that the rear of the site backs up to a wetland area and it is the owner's intent to develop this area of the site for the benefit of the employees with parking and patio. City Staff recommends that the loading dock be allowed for placement as proposed with screening from C.S.A.H. #116, However, as previously discussed, the site plan needs to identify the number, type and size of plantings. Lighting: Two parking lot lights are proposed in the employee parking lot and three are proposed in the visitor parking lot on the flagpoles. Consideration should be given to placing the lighting in a way that it also provides light along the pedestrian pathway. A schematic of the proposed lighting should be submitted for the City Engineer's approval. City Code requires that all lighting deflect away from public roads. Grading Plan: The Grading Plan must ultimately be corrected to reflect the number of accesses to the site as approved by the Anoka County Highway Department, erosion control and the pedestrian trail. It appears that all of the trees on the east side of the proposed building are proposed to be graded down. Staff would recommend revising this portion of the plan in an effort to save this wooded area. The wetlands should be delineated and silt fence placed appropriately before construction begins. Wetlands cannot be accurately delineated until there is vegetative growth. Given Wendell's desire to take occupancy of the building by July, this does not allow delaying the site plan approval until vegetation can be identified. Therefore, the City Engineer is recommending that all grading be restr/cted to areas of the site having an elevation of at least 862 feet. Drainage: No drainage plan has been received by the City. Site Plan approval would be contingent upon receipt of a drainage plan that is based on the number of accesses approved by the Anoka County Highway Department and that meets with the approval of the City Engineer. In general, however, the natural drainage along County Road #116 is from north to south, and along the western edge of the site is down a steep grade to the wetland. Runoff from the paved areas should be conducted to a detention pond to allow for sedimentation and skimming of oils and other floatables prior to discharge to the adjacent wetland. The southern end of the property would provide an opportunity for such ponding. Access: The site is proposed to have two accesses onto County Road #116. The plan has been forwarded to Anoka County for review and comment. Whether or not the County will allow for two accesses onto County Road #116 is questionable. _~L.i.~ns and Flags: The site plan indicates the usage of wall signs, directional signs and flags. One wall sign per building is allowed in the Industrial District and they may not project more than 16 inches from the wall. The gross area of wall signs may not exceed 15% of the area of the wall on which the sign is to be affixed. Any illumination must be achieved through shielded illumination. Parking lot directional signs are limited to one sign for each entrance or exit and are limited to 4 square feet for each exposed face. Directional signs are restricted to 5 feet in height. One ground sign is permitted and the gross surface area of each exposed face cann'c)t exceed 100 square feet. The display of flags is permitted, however the total square footage of any flags beyond one U.S. Flag is counted towards the total allowable wall sign area permitted by City Code. Flag poles may not exceed 25 feet in height. A sign permit is required from the City.