Agenda - Planning Commission - 03/03/2005

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Community Development Directgr Tmdgeon adyised that the need for structured parking within the Town Center was identified oarly in ~the planning process as being critical. He stated the utilization of parking Structures~ ;while.. eOstly,;will dramatically reduce the need for surface parking in the Town Center Core, and allow~ for bmld~ngs to be dense and vertical. He stated the use of parking structures also pro~,ides for a more Pedestrian friendly experience in the core. Community Development Direct°~.~ Trudge4d mentioned that as with City Hall, this parking ramp has not been fully decided by the City c0unci[ He indicated he would also mention that the City received $2.2 million from the Me,tropolim/20~Cil for this project. Community Development DirectOr Trudg¢on-advised that along Sunwood Drive the Ramsey Town Center plan shows a commercial retail building, on a separate lot in front of the parking structure. He noted that once thai ne~ to(i~Te?ated, the parking structure will no longer have direct frontage onto Sunwood D~.i~e. He iixdi~at.ed at this point it is uncertain when this structure will be built, but Staff believes it Will occur Within the next two years. Assistant Community Developmff~nt D~irect, m' T~dgeon stated Staff believes that the 0-5 foot front yard setback for the TC-1 D~striet should not apply to the municipal parking structure since it is an accessory use and the fae[ &hat a ne~.lOt Will be created in front of the parking structure and thus removing the frontage'of the building i5:6m Sunwood Drive. Community Development Director Trudg~On ~advised that the Town Center Technical Advisory Committee met on January t2, 2005 toirevi, ew.the architecture of the building. He stated that in general, the TCTAC'Iiked the building, rec6~zing its utilitarian use. He indicated they like the look of the 'warehouse' style and~ought~it waS appropriate. He noted the structure will consist of precast concrete infill panels Placed between Columns. He indicated cultured stone will be used on the first level to. provide [0r am°r~ pleaiing aesthetic at the ground level. He added the most prominent feature of the st~ctureWi![ib~ :the glass' stairwells, which will be prominently placed at the 'comers of the structure. He:~ igdieated thai besides Serving a functional purpose, they will also be a focal Point of the stmetm:e;"e~sPecially at night when the stair wells are lit up. Commissioner Shepherd asked if~e parkin~ ramp would be free, Assistant Community Development Director ~Trudgeon indicated it would be a free ramp. :':i: Commissioner Shepherd asked if the theat~'~ being proposed was a movie theatre or a live theatre venue. - Assistant Community Development Dir¢ct°r!Trudgeon indicated a multi-screen movie theatre is being proposed. ~ Joann Alsmith talked about the distribution ,of ,Parking and how the locatiOn was determined. She stated this will also be a park and ride i0cati6n, and can accommodate a transit station for the P.lanni~g Com~i~siqn/February 3, 2005 P13