Minutes - Council - 08/09/2005 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Boulevard and U.S. Highway 10. He is proposing to relocate the car wash vacuum island to the north side of the property and expand the principal building by 1,742 square feet to facilitate the addition of a two bay oil change service. It is staff's opinion that the proposed expansion raises issues relating to traffic flow, site congestion, sight lines, and general safety. Staff is maintaining the position that the plan should be denied. The Planning Commission recommended approval of the site plan. The City Council tabled the site plan at the July 26th Council meeting to provide the Council with the opportunity to review the site. Mayor C-amec expressed concern with expansion of a business in this area that will likely require relocation in the future. Councihnember Cook stated he visited this site on two different occasions and watched the traffic during rush hour. He does not see that the City has any reason to deny this case, and he does not see that the line of sight would be grossly affected. Councihnember Strommen states she visited the site and she cannot envision a building in the proposed location. It is a narrow corridor between the gas station and the rest of the businesses. With thc vacuum in the current location it is not a solid wall and provides some sight through the area. Councilmember Olson stated she visited the site and Mr. Yamoutpour showed her the facility and what hc intends to do. She liked the idea of moving the vacuums to the north side of his property, which will be a safer area. However, she has concerns that the building that Mr. Yamoutpour is proposing will block the line of sight. She does not know whether those concerns are enough to stop this expansion, but she thinks there is a concern that it will be like driving in a tunnel to get into the shopping center and that it will block the line of sight to get to Highway 10 fi'om Sunfish Lake Boulevard. Councilmember Pearson stated he frequents this facility quite often. He agrees that adding more congestion in this area would not be a good idea, and does not think it would be good to have an extra building there. He would have to vote against expansion on this site. Councihnelnber Elvig stated he has been concerned about this comer with the stacking from Sunfish Lake Boulevard and Highway 10. His concern with this expansion is that there will be stacking on the site, and the need to go around a new building would almost create a hair pin turn on the north side. As that tight corner is created there will be cars stacking that will not be able to get out for some time, and a slew of cars coming in when the lights turn and the trains release. He is thc last person that would try to deny future business or expansion of business, but he thinks this expansion would create a dangerous and congested comer on top of one that is already bad. Frank Yamoutpour, applicant, stated the proposed building should not cause extra traffic. The problem is not due to his business; there is a very narrow corridor to the mall, and also the comer has nothing to do with his building. He indicated he would like to cooperate with the City and may want the Council to table this request. City Administrator Norman advised the County is working with the City on Sunfish Lake Boulevard improvements, which are scheduled for 2007. That may be a more opportune time to review a request like this, as the improvements might solve at least some of the issues the City Council / August 9, 2005 Page 15 of 25