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Community Development Director Tmdgeon advised that the need for structured parking within <br />the Town Center was identified early in the planning process as being critical. He stated the <br />utilization of parking structures, while costly, will dramatically reduce the need for surface <br />parking in the Town Center Core and allow for buildings to be dense and vertical. He stated the <br />use of parking structures also prOVides for a mOre pedestrian friendly experience in the core. <br /> <br />Community Development DirectOr Trudgeon mentioned that as with City Hall, this parking ramp <br />has not been fully decided by the City Council. ~He indicated he would also mention that the City <br />received $2.2 million from the MetropOlitan Council for this project. <br /> <br />Community Development DireCtOr Tmdgeon advised that along Sunwood Drive the Ramsey <br />Town Center plan shoWs a commercial rotail building, on a separate lot in front of the parking <br />structure. He noted that once the new lot is created, the parking structure will no longer have <br />direct frontage onto Sunwood DfiYe. He indicated at this point it is uncertain when this structure <br />will be built, but Staff believeS it WillOceur within the next two years. <br /> <br />Assistant Community Development Director Tmdgeon stated Staff believes that the 0-5 foot <br />front yard setback for the TC-1 District shoUld nOt apply to the municipal parking structure since <br />it is an accessory use and the fact that a new lot will be created in front of the parking structure <br />and thus removing the frontage of the building from Sunwood Drive. <br /> <br />Community Development Director Tmdgeon advised that the Town Center Technical Advisory <br />Committee met on January 12, 2005 to reView the architecture of the building. He stated that in <br />general, the TCTAC liked the building, reCOgnizing its utilitarian use. He indicated they like the <br />look of the 'warehouse' style and' th°Ught'it Was :appropriate. He noted the structure will consist <br />of precast concrete infill panels placed between columns. He indicated cultured stone will be <br />used on the first level t° provide for a more pleasing aesthetic at the ground level. He added the <br />most prominent feature of the structure Will be the glass stairwells, which will be prominently <br />placed at the comers of the structure. He indicated that besides serving a functional purpose, <br />they will also be a focal point of the structure, especially at night when the stair wells are lit up. <br /> <br />Commissioner Shepherd asked if the parking ramp would be free. <br /> <br />Assistant Community Development Director Trudgeon indicated it would be a free ramp. <br /> <br />Commissioner Shepherd asked if the theatre being proposed was a movie theatre or a live theatre <br />venue. <br /> <br />Assistant Community Development Director Trudgeon indicated a multi-screen movie theatre is <br />being proposed. <br /> <br />Joann Alsmith talked about the distribution of parking and how the location was determined. <br />She stated this will also be a park and ridelocation, and can accommodate a transit station for the <br /> <br />Planning Commission/February 3, 2005 <br /> Page 13 of 15 <br /> <br /> <br />