Minutes - Planning Commission - 09/07/1999

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permit because it is not a generally permitted use in any zoning district in Ramsey. The size of the main building is 24,296 square feet and it is proposed to house retail units and some mini- storage units. The size of the accessory building is 1,800 square feet and it is proposed to house additional mini-storage units. The total building space on the property is proposed to be 26,096 square feet which is in compliance with the 35% lot coverage restriction. The exterior of the building is proposed to consist of rock face block which complies with City Code architectural standards. The structure meets all setback requirements except in the rear yard and they were granted a variance. The driveway and off-street parking areas will be paved and finished with B- 612 curbing. The plat for Guy Addition provided two accesses to Highway #10 for the four lots. The Zitzloff property is supposed to access Highway #10 via a 30-foot easement in the southwest corner of the adjacent lot to the east. The site plan shows expanding the existing 30-foot driveway into a 50-foot wide access in an area where no access rights exist. The plan has been forwarded to Mn/DOT for comment. No screening is required because the adjacent parcels are also zoned commercial. The site plan provides the required 20-foot wide landscaped area parallel to Highway #10 and at Staff's request, an additional 20 feet has been preserved for a possible future service road. Staff is recommending that the landscape plan be modified to add more trees to the site than proposed. The facility will be served by municipal sewer and water. Because of pre-existing stormwater problems in the area, this development will require stormwater improvements that will involve neighboring property owners. The 'shoebox' parking lot lights meet City Code, but the 'prism' wall mounted lights do not; the Lighting Plan will have to be modified accordingly. City Engineer Jankowski explained that the proposal includes a storm water system that would cross the tracks and drain to a regional pond on the north side of the tracks. It would service the proposed property and adjacent properties as far west as Plants and Things. Mr. Zitzloff explained that he has talked to the property owner to the east and that they would like to have drainage along their property, but have been unable to contact the other neighboring properties. Zoning Administrator Frolik noted that the neighboring companies have received copies of the proposal and are willing to meet to discuss the situation. Commissioner Nixt questioned who would pay for the drainage to cross the railroad tracks. City Engineer Jankowski explained that some storm water fees are outlined in the agreement, but they would not be sufficient to pay for the entire system. Each of the benefited properties would contribute to the crossing and then split the cost based on the size of their lot and usage. The Commission discussed in length different ideas for the storm drainage system. Commissioner Johnson stated that the problem is a structural issue that affects all properties and needs to be taken care. Planning Commission/September 7, 1999 Page 4 of 13