Agenda - Planning Commission - 06/04/2015

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2, 2007 the Board of Adjustment granted a variance to the bufferyard requirement to allow a 30 - foot bufferyard on the northern property line. The landscaping plan is acceptable, though staff has suggested a few alternate species. The previously approved site plan for this project included an 8 -foot cedar privacy fence along the eastern and northern property lines, and an 8 -foot wrought iron decorative fence on Ramsey Blvd. The current site plan shows a security fence around the storage buildings; staff is recommending that that previously approved fencing be incorporated into this plan. One access to the site is proposed on Ramsey Blvd, and one is proposed on Bunker Lake Blvd; both accesses are acceptable to Anoka County. A trail is currently constructed on Ramsey Blvd; a trail along Bunker Lake Blvd will also be constructed per the approvals for the overall plat. The grading and drainage plans are generally acceptable. Site drainage will be accommodated by expanding the existing stormwater pond in the northeastern portion of the property. No lighting is indicated on the site plan; lighting fixtures will need to be reviewed prior to issuing a building permit for the site. The City Council reviewed the site plan at the October 9, 2007 meeting and had significant discussion about the building elevations. The submitted building elevations indicate that the buildings will consist of rock -face block with vinyl shakes. Vinyl is not typically permitted in the E-1 District, though it may be allowed if approved by the City Council. The Council tabled the site plan and directed the applicant to prepare revised building elevations, to include more articulation in the roofline and building facade of the storage building closest to Ramsey Blvd, and to indicate the height of landscaping at maturity. The applicant has submitted a color elevation, which includes some additional information on color and building detail. Some small peaks have been added to the roofline. The revised elevations do not give a sense of how the building will appear from Ramsey Blvd with mature landscaping. Staff would suggest Councilmembers take a look at the new storage buildings on the south side of Bunker Lake Blvd, just east of Unity Street. Staff expects the TSM buildings to have a similar appearance from the road (in terms of landscaping). Staff would also add that the landscaping plan shows a large amount of new plantings to be clustered around the Ramsey Blvd entrance, but overall the plantings will thin out (and the building become more visible) moving north from the entrance. Recommendation: The proposed mini -storage buildings will present a very long facade on Ramsey Blvd. Staff would recommend the City Council consider whether additional improvements to the building elevations themselves are needed. Rather than adding additional landscaping to the mini -storage site, though, Staff would suggest that more attention be paid to the actual corner of Bunker Lake Blvd and Ramsey Blvd when the commercial lots to the south develop. The Planning Commission reviewed the site plan at their August 2, 2007 meeting and recommended approval. —116—