Minutes - Council - 10/28/1997 - Laserfiche WebLink

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is in compliance with lot coverage restrictions and number of parking spaces. The Planning Commission and City staff recommend site plan approval. Motion by Councilmember Beahen and seconded by Councilmember Zimmerman to approve the proposed site plan for the Blatz/Mach 5 accessory building contingent upon compliance with City Staff review letter dated October 2, 1997, and a variance to the rear yard setback requirement. Motion carried. Voting Yes: Mayor Gamec, Councilmembers Beahen, Zimmerman, Beyer and Haas Steffen. Voting No: None. Case #5: Request for Site Plan Approval; Case of Northern Airgas, Inc. Zoning Administrator Frolik stated that Northern Airgas has requested site plan approval to relocate their current facility from Highway #10 to Business Park 95 7th Addition. The plan proposes to construct a 29,336 square foot office and warehouse facility and a 11,440 acetylene plant. The site is proposed to have two accesses onto Radium Street which will be extended north off of the eastern terminus of McKinley Street. The site also shows two accesses to a 26- foot driveway which is located on what may become the extension of McKinley Street to the east. All of the accesses proposed are acceptable, except that the driveway along the south property line will be considered a private drive until the eastern extension of McKinley is dedicated and improved. The proposed development meets City Code requirements for lot coverage, setbacks, design and number of off-street parking spaces and maneuvering areas. The exterior finish on the walls will be pre-cast concrete panels which is in accordance with City Code. The warehouse portion of the principal building is 42'6" from grade and the applicant has received a variance from the Board of Adjustment to go over the restriction of 35 feet in height. Ms. Frolik noted that City Code restricts accessory buildings to 30% of the area of the principal building unless otherwise approved by Council. The accessory building in this case is 39% of the area of the principal building and staff and the Planning Commission are recommending approval of this deviation. Also in accordance with City Code, there will be a 20-foot wide landscaped area along Radium Street and the opportunity to provide this same green space along the south property line is provided in the event McKinley Street is extended to the east. Ms. Frolik continued that Code requires loading berths to be placed on rear walls of buildings. Given the nature of the business, numerous loading berths are required and to have them all on the rear wall is not reasonable. Consequently, staff is recommending that the tree plantings along Radium and the southeast comer of the site be intensified to provide more effective screening of the loading berths that face or may face public streets. Additionally, Council has deviated on this requirement on previous site plans. Ms. Frolik explained that when the Planning Commission reviewed the proposed site plan, Mr. Bob Kirschner, the Community Development Director from the City of Anoka, was present to address some concerns on behalf of Anoka. They included depth of buffer area along common boundary with Anoka, exterior finish on the accessory building, track parking area, outside storage, etc. This is a tax increment financing project under the instant equity program the City has been operating. The City expenses toward the project are recovered within the time frame of the TIF district. City Council/October 28, 1997 Page 7 of 16