Minutes - Planning Commission - 04/03/2001

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rear, and side yard setbacks established in the B-3 Business District. City Code requires a 20- foot green space area adjacent to all public streets, which this site plan meets. City Code restricts lot coverage to 35% of the lot area; the site plan for the retail center is proposing 14% lot coverage. Principal Planner Tmdgeon explained the applicant applied for and received approval of a variance from the 30% impervious surface restriction required under City Code for property located within the Critical River and Wild and Scenic River Overlay District. In accordance with City Code, all driveways, off-street parking, and maneuvering areas are proposed to be surfaced with bituminous pavement and finished B-6/12 concrete curbing. City Code requires a minimum of 116 parking spaces for the facility. The site plan shows 113 parking stalls. Chairperson Nixt reviewed the applicant's response to the number of parking spaces being required indicating the City's requirement for 116 parking spaces appears to be based on an assumed requirement of one space for each 200 square foot of gross building area. The City Code states that the requirement shall be one parking space for each 200 square feet of retail floor space. Since the utility room at the northwest comer of the building is 457 square feet, and the applicant is planning for at least nine 60 square foot restrooms, the retail floor space will easily be less than 22,600 square feet. The applicant proposes that the 113 spaces currently shown meets City Code and will be adequate for any conceivable uses on this site. Principal Planner Tmdgeon stated the City Code specifies that exterior wall finishes shall consist of natural or prefabricated brick or stone or pre-cast concrete panels or some other material approved by the City Council. The building elevation plan indicates that the exterior wall materials will consist of integrally treated concrete masonry units, face brick, and prefinished metal cap. The drainage plan appears to be generally acceptable. Principal Planner Tmdgeon noted the issues related to access from Highway 10. The site plan shows a future service road along the northern boundary of the site. This idea is supported by staff. A provision will be placed in the development agreement requiring future dedication of the area as a roadway to the City. He noted the Parks/Utility Director has reviewed the landscape plan and recommends the addition of an eight foot wide bituminous path within the 20 foot greenspace area along State Highway 10 and the NURP drainage pond be seeded with an approved wetland mix. City staff recommends site plan approval contingent upon compliance with City staff review letter dated March 30, 2001, and the applicant receiving a variance. Mr. Winkel stated they are aware of the issues raised about the access and will consider relocating the access to one location to serve both sites. He stated they will work with Mn/DOT and believe this will be acceptable. Chairperson Nixt asked if any footage will be gained by relocating the access. Mike Supina, of Amcon Construction Company representing the applicant, explained the changes in parking stalls that would result in a changed access point. Chairperson Nixt estimated that two additional parking stalls would be gained. Commissioner Reeve asked about the access point on Sunfish Lake Boulevard. Planning Commission/April 3, 2001 Page 14 of 18