Agenda - Council - 07/27/2004 - Laserfiche WebLink

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The maximum front yard setback in the TC-2 district is 0-15 feet.. The store is proposed to be located at the south boundary of the site, approximately 300 feet back from the Sunwood Drive right-of-way. The Town Center Development Guidelines encourage placement of larger scale buildings along the railroad. On July 12, the Board of Adjustment approved the applicant's request for a variance to the front yard setback requirement. A total of 428 parking spaces would be required for the uses ultimately proposed for. Lots 1 and 2; the site plan is showing 451 spaces. The loading docks are located on the southeast corner of the grocery store building, with a truck access from Zeolite. The plan includes a 12 foot high concrete wall to screen the loading dock activity from public view. The sketch plan approved by the City Council on May 11, 2004, showed one access on the south side of Sunwood Drive, west of Zeolite Street and said access aligned with the proposed access on the north side of Sunwood Drive. The Interim Streetscape Plan prepared by URS and dated July 7, 2004 shows two accesses on the south side of Sunwood Drive and the westerly access is oft"set approximately 65 feet from the access on the north side of Sunwood Drive. At the July 12, 2004, Planning Commission meeting, this matter was discussed and it was' determined that the access on the north side of Sunwood Drive will be adjusted to align with the southern access. The second Sunwood Drive access shown on the site plan deviates from what was shown on the approved sketch plan. The proposed second access is shown to be a right-in/right-out access. At their July l 2, 2004 meeting, the Planning Commission reviewed the proposed access and found it acceptable due to traffic circulation needs. This second access onto Sunwood Drive will need to be approved by the City Council. If for some reason MnDOT will not allow an amendment to the construction of a second access onto Sunwood Drive, the applicant will be able to come back to the City to discuss the need for another access along Zeolite St. The approved sketch plan showed one public access to Zeolite Street and a truck access to the grocery store loading dock in the southeast corner of the site. The plans now show an additional public access on Zeolite Street, adjacent to the truck access. As directed by the Planning Commission, this second access on Zeolite must be eliminated from the Plan for public safety reasons because of its proximity to the truck entrance and the corner intersection of Zeolite and Civic Center Drive. The grading and utility plans have been reviewed by the Engineering Department and required modifications to the final plans are listed in the Staff Review Letter dated July 8. The Landscape Plan has been reviewed by City Staff and 141 trees and 320 shrubs must be planted in order to meet the landscape requirements for the entire block. The plan .submitted includes 102 trees and 348 shrubs; the final landscape plan must be modified to-include an additional 39 trees. The City Staff Review Letter dated July 8 also states that the additional trees are to be planted adjacent to Armstrong Blvd. N.W. On July 12, the Planning Commission agreed that the commercial services, future restaurants and pond should not be completely screened fi'om public view and that the Landscape Plan should be adjusted accordingly. It was also suggested that the applicant draw up a phasing plan for the installation of landscaping as buildings are constructed.