Minutes - Planning Commission - 10/04/2012

Home

Development Services Manager Gladhill explained the framework would allow for community gateway signs to be 150 square feet per lot. This would be broken down to 50 square feet per user or tenant. Commissioner Brauer commented he was in favor of the kiosks. Commissioner Van Scoy asked if the COR would have enough parking if several intense uses move into the area. Development Services Manager Gladhill indicated a parking study was completed which explored some of these concerns. He noted the restaurants would have more surface parking than retail. He stated the area should have sufficient parking based on the requirements within the framework. Commissioner Field was pleased with the restaurant parking recommendations. Commissioner Brauer suggested the signage square footage for the retail gateway signs be increased from 150 square feet to 200 square feet. He commented this would allow for greater flexibility in the future. Development Services Manager Gladhill indicated this could be done, but the general aesthetics should be considered. He stated future tenants could also pursue a larger sign size through the CUP process. Commissioner Field questioned how many kiosk signs would be located in the COR. He suggested the scale of these signs be reduced to lower the expense of the proposed kiosk signs. Development Services Manager Gladhill noted there were three kiosk signs proposed for the COR. He then reviewed the proposed location of these signs. He explained the stone used would be a precast material to reduce expenses. He indicated the monument signs would be high quality, consistent throughout the development and would assist pedestrian traffic traveling through the COR. Chairperson Levine indicated the proposed location of the kiosk signs would serve future pedestrian traffic well. Commissioner Van Scoy inquired if the Central Anoka County Regional Trail would be rerouted to run through the COR. He asked Staff for a visual of the trail location. He then asked if the sub - district boundaries would be redone. Development Services Manager Gladhill explained the trail was previous discussed by the Council and a revised map was included in the framework draft. He noted the Mississippi skyway would tie into the proposed ramp and would be explored further with the Metropolitan Council. He then reviewed the area of change within the sub - district boundaries with the Commission and discussed a more detailed map of the COR. He noted the preferred alignment Planning Commission /October 4, 2012 Page 11 of 16