Agenda - Planning Commission - 01/27/2022

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The project does include an exterior trash enclosure near the northeastern corner of the building. As of the writing of this case, Staff has not received a rendering or description of the enclosure materials. The Applicant is working with their architect to provide additional details on the enclosure. Since it is not internal to the building, the design of the enclosure should appear essentially like an extension of the building itself. Variance The COR-2 zoning district does not have minimum required setbacks from the side or rear property boundaries. However, there is a build -to requirement from the building front to the public road right-of-way of no more than fifteen (15) feet (Sunwood Drive is designated as a Destination Street). As proposed, no part of the building meets the build -to requirement. The northeast corner of the building (the portion nearest to Sunwood Drive) is about seventeen (17) feet from the right-of-way boundary. Sunwood Drive was realigned circa 2012-2013 to accommodate the Armstrong Boulevard overpass. While the road was realigned, the existing utilities, including trunk sewer and trunk water lines, remained in place, as they were serving the western most building within this retail node. These utilities, as well as the existing drainage and utility easement that encumbers the northern half of the Subject Property, prevent the building from meeting the build -to standard. Furthermore, not just the drainage and utility easement, but the utilities themselves, create barriers to a knee wall or other decorative means to create the desired street presence. Even as proposed, a small portion of the building encroaches into the drainage and utility easement (Staff is working with the Engineering Department to determine whether a partial Easement Vacation or an Easement Encroachment Agreement would be the most appropriate way to address this matter). Due to these constraints, the Applicant has requested a variance to the build -to standard. When considering a Variance, the Planning Commission shall consider the following factors: 1. Will the variance allow the property owner to use the property in a reasonable manner? 2. Is the plight of the landowner is due to circumstances unique to the property and not created by the landowner? 3. Will the variance, if granted, alter the essential character of the locality? The Subject Property is irregularly shaped as a result of the realignment of Sunwood Drive. The irregular shape, combined with the existing utilities and easement, were not created by the Applicant and are unique to the Subject Property. The proposed multi -tenant building is a permitted use and will hopefully attract more retail and restaurant options to the area, a strong desire of the residents. The proposed building location will not impact the essential character of the locality as there are already two (2) buildings within this retail node that sit much further away from the public road right-of-way. Alternatives Alternative 1: Motion to adopt Resolution 422-029 approving a variance to the build -to requirement and recommend City Council approve the Site Plan for the new, multi -tenant building on the Subject Property. The proposed building not only provides more opportunities for retail and restaurant type businesses to enter Ramsey, but also is very similar in style to the other four (4) buildings within this retail node. Due to the realignment of Sunwood Drive and the location of existing sewer and water utility lines, the building cannot meet the build -to requirement for a Destination Street. The circumstances appear to satisfy the 3-factor test outlined above. Staff supports this alternative. Alternative 2: Do not approve the requested variance and recommend that the Site Plan be modified to comply with The COR Design Framework standards (specifically the build -to requirement). Based on the unique shape of the property, existing access into the Subject Property, and location of utilities, this does not seem to be a reasonable action and Staff does not support it. Funding Source: All costs associated with this request are the Applicant's responsibility.