Agenda - Council - 05/11/2004 - Laserfiche WebLink

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this portion of the development was always shown as being for larger retail operations, that larger parking lots are unavoidable. However, the initial revisions have helped to mitigate the impacts of the parking lots and Staff will continue to explore other options to mitigate the parking lot impacts. Assistant Community Development Director Trudgeon stated that the stonnwater pond shown on the sketch plan substantially reduces the area previously shown for stonnwater detention ponding as part of the Ramsey Town Center Addition plat. He indicated, there are some other options to treat the stonnwater such as shipping water downstream to other detention ponds that Staff and the Developer have only just begun to discuss. He stated the sizing of the stormwater pond in this area could affect the layout as shown. Assistant Community Development Director Trudgeon advised the retail node shown adjacent to Armstrong Boulevard and Town Center Parkway extends into the area zoned TC-3b, which only allows for limited retail opportunities. He stated that for'-the area tobe developed as shown in the sketch plan, portions of this area will need to be rezoned to TC-2. He indicated Staff also is concerned with the larger 30,000 square foot retail building being located so close to Town Center Parkway and the residential area to the north. He stated that given the potential intensity of the use of the building, Staff will want to see more detail regarding the operations and landscaping m'ound the building. Assistant Comlnunity Development Director Trudgeon stated as presented in the sketch plan, a portion of Sunwood Drive shows a landscaped median as the road nears Annnstrong Boulevard. He indicated Sunwood Drive as currently desi~o-ned, does not show any raised medians. He stated Staff and the Developer will need to have discussions on the raised median to determine if it is desirable to have at this point. Assistant Community Development Director Trudgeon noted that regarding parking lots. Staff wants to make sure that as part of the Town Center development they have a parking study, and utilize shared parking so as not to over-park the area, although that may be in conflict with what retailers want. He indicated they have a study taking place, but will not have the report until next week. He stated he also distributed a letter from Alena Hunter of the Task Force, with her comments on the groce~ store. He indicated she has said if this is to be the location she would want to make sure there is more pedestrian access, and make it more inviting for pedestrians. He stated Greg Voss is here to add details, and he would like to have additional discussion and receive feedback fi'om the Planning Commission, then bring it back in May. Mr. Voss indicated he was the Senior Project Manager for ShingObee Builders. Mr. Voss stated they have retained architects and a civil engineer, which is the civil engineer of record for the master developer, so they can take advantage of that overall knowledge of the project area. He added Shingobee Builders have been involved in the project for over a year. He stated he supports Assistant Community Development Director Trudgeon's recommendation not to request action at this time. He advised they have created some visual imagery to get the Planning Commissions first impressions. He stated he would like to go through the evolution of the site plan, then have dialog and comments on specific concerns. Planning Commission/April 1, 2004 Page 17 of 21