Minutes - Council - 08/24/2004 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Case #6: Consider Request for Site Plan Review for Expansion of Wiser Choice Liquor Store; Case of M & W Holding, LLC Assistant Community Development Director Trudgeon explained the City of Ramsey has received a request for site plan review from Jeff Wise of M&W Holding Company to construct an addition to the existing Wiser Choice Liquor Store. The Wiser Choice Liquor store property was zoned B-3 Highway Business when it was originally constructed. The development complied with all pertinent codes at the time of the development. The site is now zoned TC-2 Town Center Commercial. The off-sale liquor facilities were permitted with the previous zoning and permitted in the TC-2 Commercial Zoning District. The original building is grandfathered in relation to the setbacks and parking requirements. The addition, however, will be subject to the TC-2 requirements. He explained the proposed addition will expand the buildings in two areas. The southern expansion of 840 feet will extend the building to the south. This expansion will contain additional cooler space and display area. The southern expansion will be located eight inches fi'om the southern lot line. The TC-2 Commercial Zoning District allows for zero-lot line setbacks, so this setback is allowed. The Council has just approved the vacation of the standard 10-foot drainage and utility easement. He explained the second building expansion will happen on the western side of the building. This expansion will be 1,120 square feet and will be utilized for storage. The expanded building will meet the 30-foot rear yard setback. Assistant Community Development Director Trudgeon indicated the TC-2 Commercial Zoning District requires a Floor Area Ratio of 0.5. Since this building was constructed under and met the B-3 regulations, coupled with the fact that the site plan is an addition to an existing use, staff feels it is not appropriate to apply the new Floor Area Ratio requirement to the development. He noted that the expansion will increase the square footage of the business, which is consistent with the intent of the TC-2 Commercial Zoning District. Assistant Community Development Director Trudgeon advised the exterior building materials of the existing store consist of vinyl siding and Coronado fieldstone. These materials were approved by the City Council at the time of the original site plan approval. The proposed additions will consist of the same material as the original building. Staff does not feel that the Town Center Development Guidelines should apply to this request since the expansion should match the existing building. However, staff would recommend some architectural treatment be added to the south wall to break up the long run of vinyl siding. The application has submitted revised elevations showing Coronado field stone pillars interspersed along the southern wall, which staff finds acceptable. He advised the site is serviced with an on-site septic and well system. Under the Development Permit for the original store, the applicant was required to hook up to municipal utilities once they are available. City sewer and water will be installed within Armstrong Boulevard in the fall of 2004. Under the Development Permit, the applicant will be required to hook up to municipal sewer and water within two years of the services being available to the site. Engineering staff was on the site and there are a few things that need to be corrected, which is included in the recommended motion. Jeff' Wise, applicant, stated he has looked over the letter and discussed it with staff. There are a few concerns, but he does not foresee any problems. City Council/August 24, 2004 Page 9 of 25