Minutes - Planning Commission - 07/11/2007

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Motion by Commissioner Hunt, seconded by Commissioner Van Scoy, to recommend that City Council adopt findings of fact relating to the request for an amended Conditional Use Permit for Northern Counties Secretarial Services, favorable to the applicant. Further discussion: Commissioner Brauer asked if the finding regarding traffic should be specifically addressed as to whether there would be an adverse impact. Chairperson Nixt indicated the issue he has is whether to request a traffic analysis for the additional traffic of the deli. Commissioner Levine noted he does not think this is necessary. Motion carried. Voting Yes: Commissioners Hunt, Levine, Brauer, Trites Rolle, and VanScoy. Voting No: None. Abstain: Chairperson Nixt. Absent: Commissioner Cleveland. Chairperson Nixt recommended the requirement for some form of screening that would be consistent with the applicant's stated attempt to make this a north woods type of environment. This would include coniferous trees and other elements and would block the lighting from vehicular traffic leaving the lot in the evening hours and buffer the noise for the residential neighborhoods to the south and the north. Commissioner Brauer suggested the addition of condition number 11 to state "Additional buffer and screening to be added consistent with the requirements between B-1 and R-l districts." Chairperson Nixt asked staff to comment on street standards in a residential district compared to a business district. He asked if curbing is required. City Engineer Jankowski indicated street standards in new residential areas require 31 feet from front of curb to front of curb. In new commercial areas they have typically been going 40 to 42 feet in width, so there is a difference in width between commercial and residential street. Chairperson Nixt pointed out that the conditional use permit was previously granted for the daycare. However, if it was being requested at this time they would be looking at the street requirements, and 157th Lane is too narrow. City Engineer Jankowski advised the City does not have the ability to require turn lanes or public improvements with the site plan process or the conditional use. Chairperson Nixt inquired about the current width of 157th Lane. City Engineer Jankowski replied he believes the width is 30 feet; some ofthe City's streets are as narrow as 24 feet. Chairperson Nixt indicated he believes the street width is 24 feet. There is the issue of whether they need to consider, as a City, expanding into the right-of-way from County Road 5 as far back as the ingress on this property. There will be a fair amount more traffic coming and going from there. Planning Commission! July 11, 2007 Page 12 of 21