Agenda - Council - 06/10/2025 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

The Applicant is proposing three wall signs, each with the "Taco Bell" text and bell logo. One of these wall signs will be on the east side of the building, attached to the entry tower above the main entrance vestibule. The other two wall signs will be attached to the southwest comer tower, with one facing west and the other facing south. In addition to the wall signs, two freestanding signs are proposed on the Subject Property. A single -tenant pylon sign will be placed at the southwest corner of the lot to direct traffic along Armstrong Boulevard to Taco Bell's location. Additionally, as noted in the Staff Report for Bunker Lake Crossing's Preliminary Plat, a multi -tenant pylon sign will be placed at the northwest corner of the lot to direct traffic along Bunker Lake Boulevard to the overall development, with sign panels representing Taco Bell, Chipotle, and a future third tenant. Staff is working with the Applicant to properly locate all freestanding signage to avoid conflicts with easements and utilities. All signage has been reviewed in accordance with the newly -created Chapter 108 of Ramsey City Code. The Applicant is aware of the need for separate sign permits that are reviewed and approved administratively. Landscape Plan Per the Staff Report from the Environmental Policy Board's (EPB) meeting on May 19th, the Landscape Plan includes a combination of evergreen and deciduous trees, along with some ornamental trees, shrubs, and perennials. All proposed species and sizes are acceptable. There is sufficient diversity among the proposed species. A combination of sod and seeding is proposed to establish permanent ground cover. Sod will be installed along Armstrong Boulevard and wrapping around the southern portion of the property. Sod will also be installed along the back of curb adjacent to the parking stalls and along the drive-thru lane with seeding beyond that. An ornamental decorative fence is proposed behind the curb of the drive-thru lane on the west side of the building. Staff will continue to work with the lots to the south to try and ensure a consistent style of fence across all three lots being created by the Bunker Lake Crossing plat. The Landscape Plan does comply with the minimum requirements. Lighting Plan Section 106-310 of City Code provides lighting regulations for all developments in the City. All photometric readings will measure less than 0.5 footcandles at the property line and will measure at least 1.0 footcandle throughout the parking lot in compliance with City Code. All lighting must be downcast and shielded. Staff is working with the Applicant to ensure all photometric regulations are met. Utilities The site will be served by municipal water and sanitary sewer. The water main connection will come from a shared main near the southeast corner of the parking lot, adjacent to the driveway to the private access road. The sanitary sewer connection will come from a line northwest of the building, which then connects under Armstrong Boulevard to a sewer main on the west side of the street. Stormwater Management The site's stormwater will be collected and directed to the large regional pond in Waterfront Park, roughly a quarter -mile east-southeast of the site. The Applicant has designed the parking lot and drive -through lane to drain into five interconnected catch basins, which then feed into a storm sewer main at the southwest corner of the site. Variance As noted above, the Applicant is proposing to construct a drive -through lane that wraps counter -clockwise around the Taco Bell building. This results in a significant portion of the drive -through lane being placed in the front yard of the property along Armstrong Boulevard. Section 106-625(5) of Ramsey City Code states that "drive -through lanes are not permitted in the front yard or within the front build -to line." The Applicant has stated the need for a Variance to this standard because of the lot dimensions and wetland constraints. City Code Section 106-220 discusses the practical difficulties that are allowed to be used for justifying variances (below in italics). Among them, the Applicant has identified the following practical difficulties and associated justifications for the variance: • That the property owner proposes to use the property in a reasonable manner not permitted by the zoning code. The Applicant requests a variance to allow a drive -through in the front yard to allow for maximum stacking space on the property, limiting the potential for overflow traffic backing up into the private access road and/or Armstrong Boulevard. Additionally, by placing the drive -through in the front yard, it will