Minutes - Planning Commission - 08/05/2004

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parallel with the Sunwood Drive right-of-way. 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 landscaping, grading and utility plans have been reviewed and must be modified as listed in the Staff Review Letter. Those modifications will be reflected on the final site plan. Assistant Community Development Director Trudgeon stated that the site plan for the retail building generally conforms to the Town Center Development Guidelines. Staff is recommending the addition of foundation plantings to the Sunwood Drive side and the addition of pedestrian benches on the parking lot side. lie explained the selected architectural materials includc EIFS integrally treated with color, split face CMU block, precast concrete, brick veneer, and pre-finished metal accents and awnings. The guidelines recommend that 35% of ground level street fi'ont facades be glass openings; the calculations indicate that 27% of the street facade on Sunwood Drive is glass openings. At least 50% of non-glazed surfaces should be brick or a comparable alternative. The calculations indicate that there is a brick and comparable alternative of 52%. Assistant Community Development Director Trudgeon advised on July 27, 2004, the City Council reviewed and approved the preliminary site plan for the gateway retail building, contingent upon compliance with the City Staff Review Letter and a favorable review of the building elevations by the Planning Commission. Staff recommends approval of the preliminary site plan contingent upon compliance with the City Staff review letter. Chairpcrson Nixt asked if there has been a supplement to the letter dated July 27th. Assistant Community Development Director Trudgeon responded in the negative. Commissioner Jeffi'ey noted what they are trying to accomplish is to create a pedestrian friendly environment. There should be some sort of access from Sunwood Drive. Chairperson Nixt commented this is almost a segregated node. It is almost like this big box retail center is separate from the rest of the Town Center without some sort of tie in. He asked how the sidewalks will be running. Assistant Community Development Director Trudgeon replied there will be crosswalks in the parking area that that are striped, and there will be sidewalks around the perimeter that will be accessible. He noted it makes a lot of sense to have a common entrance. There needs to be a serious discussion about this with the tenant, and it also depends on the other tenants that will be there. Chairperson Nixt asked if Shingobee Builders has reviewed the staff letter. Grog Voss of Shingobee Builders-indicated Shingobee does not have any problems with the staff letter. Shingobee does want to achieve the glazing. They did run into a little trouble with relation of the ceiling height to glazing. In order to meet the area requirements it becarne peculiar with this building because of the width of the building. He explained they ran out of room for glass, but they are willing to discuss that. They may be able to drop the glass down to street level. They are also willing to discuss the entrance. He explained this building may be an Planning Commission/August 5, 2004 Page 3 of 40