Agenda - Planning Commission - 04/27/2023

Home

Regular Planning Commission 7.3. Meeting Date: 04/27/2023 By: Todd Larson, Community Development Information Title: Ferrellgas - Site Plan Review for a new structure and site improvements at 7255 HWY 10 NW Purpose/Background: Ferrellgas is currently zoned H-1,Highway Business district. The site is being used for the retail sales and distribution of fuel gases. The upcoming Highway 10 reconstruction project will have significant impacts on the site. The new frontage road will require the existing principal structure in the southeastern part of the site to be removed. Ferrellgas representatives are working with the Anoka County Highway Department on a partial acquisition of the property. A new building and customer parking lot is proposed to be constructed along the southwestern portion of the property. Notification: Notification was sent to property owners within 350 feet of the site. Observations/Alternatives: Building Design The proposed 2,000-square-foot structure will house the office and customer functions and will have a garage to store equipment and vehicles. The proposed building is roughly the same size and shape as the existing building. The proposed building will be constructed using a concrete masonry unit in two different colors and it will have substantial windows. The structure will have a gabled roof with asphalt shingles. Access The site currently has direct access to westbound Highway 10. After the road construction project, a new frontage road will provide access to the remaining businesses along the north side of Highway 10. The frontage road will connect to an elevated roundabout at Ramsey Bouveard. As the frontage road extends westward, it comes down in elevation and makes an "S" curve. The curve impacts the current access point prohibiting it from being used. The new access to the site will be towards the western side of the property as the frontage road nears existing grade. Parkin A new paved parking lot will be constructed next to the building. This parking lot will have five spaces, all expected for customer use. The existing yard consists of a class-V gravel surface and is where employee and company vehicles park currently. Outdoor Storage The site has a lot of outdoor storage of tanks and equipment. Most of the yard not impacted by the new construction will remain in place. The H-1 requirements state that storage yards must be located in the side or rear yard of the building and are screened. The proposed fenceline fills gaps in the existing fenceline that were created from the removal of the old building and then ties into the new parking lot area. The fenceline is being considered a legal nonconformity created by a public action(City Code Section 117-57(c)) and may remain. Landscaping and Screening The applicant submitted a landscape plan though it lacks some information. The existing yard area is partially screened using columnar arborvitae. The existing site also has some overstory trees in the front. The trees will be removed with construction and the applicant is intending to replant trees, though the species is not noted on the