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plan with retail and pedestrian opportunities close to the street with parking in the rear. He <br />indicated the proposed development of the area west of the Zeolite/Sunwood intersection starts to <br />shift the buildings back from the road more than what was shown on the approved sketch plan. <br />He stated Staff has asked, and the Developer complied, for additional landscaping and building <br />pads located nearer Sunwood Drive to help break up the view of the parking lots. He advised as <br />this portion of the development was always shown as being for larger retail operations, that larger <br />parking lots are unavoidable. However, the initial revisions have helped to mitigate the impacts <br />of the parking lots and Staff will continue to explore other options to mitigate the parking lot <br />impacts. <br /> <br />Assistant Community Development Director Trudgeon stated that the stormwater pond shown on <br />the sketch plan substantially reduces the area previously shown for stormwater detention ponding <br />as part of the Ramsey Town Center Addition plat. He indicated there are some other options to <br />treat the stormwater such as shipping water downstream to other detention ponds that Staff and <br />the Developer have only just begun to discuss. He stated the sizing of the stormwater pond in <br />this area could affect the layout as shown. <br /> <br />Assistant Community Development Director Trudgeon advised the retail node shown adjacent to <br />Armstrong Boulevard and Town Center Parkway extends into the area zoned TC-3b, which only <br />allows for limited retail opportunities. He stated that for the area to be developed as shown in the <br />sketch plan, portions of this area will need to be rezoned to TC-2. He indicated Staff also is <br />concerned with the larger 30,000 square foot retail building being located so close to Town <br />Center Parkway and the residential area to the north. He stated that given the potential intensity <br />of the use of the building, Staff will want to see more detail regarding the operations and <br />landscaping around the building. <br /> <br />Assistant Community Development Director Trudgeon stated as presented in the sketch plan, a <br />portion of Sunwood Drive shows a landscaped median as the road nears Armstrong Boulevard. <br />He indicated Sunwood Drive as currently designed, does not show any raised medians. He stated <br />Staff and the Developer will need to have discussions on the raised median to determine if it is <br />desirable to have at this point. <br /> <br />Assistant Community Development Director Trudgeon noted that regarding parking lots, Staff <br />wants to make sure that as part of the Town Center development they have a parking study, and <br />utilize shared parking so as not to over-park the area, although that may be in conflict with what <br />retailers want. He indicated they have a study taking place, but will not have the report until next <br />week. He stated he also distributed a letter from Alena Hunter of the Task Force, with her <br />comments on the grocery store. He indicated she has said if this is to be the location she would <br />want to make sure there is more pedestrian access, and make it more inviting for pedestrians. He <br />stated Greg Voss is here to add details, and he would like to have additional discussion and <br />receive feedback from the Planning Commission, then bring it back in May. <br /> <br />Mr. Voss indicated he was the Senior Project Manager for Shingobee Builders. <br /> <br />Planning Commission/April 1, 2004 <br /> Page 18 of 22 <br /> <br /> <br />