Agenda - Planning Commission - 06/07/2007

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, Anoka County Medical Examiner Facility: Site Plan and Preliminmy Plat Review May 31,2007 Peige 2 of6 a future building expansion. For interior functionality, a future expansion to the west side of the building works best for the expanded uses anticipated. Until that expansion occurs, the design plans make use of architectural and landscaping features to givethe illusion that the building is closer to the street than it appears. On the north end of the building, there is a an outdoor garden/patio planned that will be encompassed by a black wrought iron fence and plant hedges to give the illusion of a hard edge being closer than the 53 feet that it is to the building, In addition, a decorative wrought iron fence and landscaping is also being installed along the north and west property lines to bring a hard edge to the property line in those areas where excessive setbacks are used to preserve area for a future building expansion. The canopy over the entrance from Rhinestone Street is being ex"tended out to the sidewalk. There 'will be planters constructed for landscaping just south of the entrance door with canopy. 'The remainder of the future expansion area south of entrance and planters 'ivill be landscaped with trees and shrubbery to fill the gap betvveen building and sidewalk. ' In the interim, the applicant has applied for a front yard setback variance; when the expansion occurs the entire west wall of the building will more than comply with the 15 foot maximum setback; even on the north end, as the exterior garden will become interior to the building as it is surrounded by expanded building area. Architectural Standards: The design standards for this site are subject to the provisions laid out in the Development Guidelines manual referenced in City Code for Ramsey Town Center. The Guidelines place a high emphasis on high-quality architecture, materials, and site design, particularly vvith regard to building placement, parkb1g areas, and the pedestrian environment. Overall, the submittal meets or exceeds these requirements. Staff would like to callout the following specific items from the Guidelines: . Provide parking spaces to support the use through a mix of on-street and sU7jace lots internal to the block. Encourage shared parking solutions, No more that 25%ofthe street fi"ontage should be used for SU7jace parking. The proposed parking pIan utilizes on-street parking, surface lot parking, and shared parking 'With the remainder of development that will occur on the block. The master plan for the block reflects that buildings 'ivillline the circumference of tl;1e block and the surface parking will be provided on the interior of the block. None of the surface parking is located adjacent to Rhinestone Street N, W. . Generally, buildings should be located at the street right-of-way; with no more than 60% of the building beyond the maximum setback. Encourage recessed entries and windows to create street level interest, The proposed does exceed the 15 foot maximum setback from Rhinestone; however, a planned future expansion to the building will bring it into compliance 'with the maximum setback. The architects have spandro glass to the street-level, which looks like window glass but does not function as a'i\rindow, to create street-level interest. This spandro glass was added in areas where normally a window would not be appropriate. The entry from, Rhinestone is recessed and connected to the street 'ivith an overhead canopy. 30