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Approved <br /> Public Hearing: LP2006-002, VN2006-005 Site Plan Review, Parking Setback <br /> Variance to allow the construction of a parking lot in the front setback. <br /> The applicant is requesting a Site Plan review and a Variance, to construct an 11,000 sq. <br /> ft. parking lot within the front setback at Hank's Specialties, 2050 Old Hwy 8 NW. The <br /> requested variance includes a front yard building setback variance to permit a 19' setback <br /> where 40' is required. <br /> Staff supports the requested variance to build the additional parking lot because of the <br /> need for additional parking on the site. In addition, the only area on the site available for <br /> additional parking is in front of the building. The application states that the current <br /> parking lot creates a safety issue for employees who park in the current rear lot then need <br /> to walk through the driveway where truck and van traffic travels. The proposed lot <br /> should eliminate this safety concern. It appears the proposed lot will not have a <br /> detrimental appearance upon adjacent properties or the neighborhood in general because <br /> the location of the proposed parking lot appears to be consistent with location of the <br /> parking lot of the business to the north. The proposed lot is will still be approximately 66 <br /> feet from Old Hwy 8. <br /> Schiferl inquired if the City Forester has approved the landscape plan that had been <br /> provided and if it the reviewal will be made a condition of approval. Fernelius replied <br /> that the City Forester has not reviewed the landscape plan and it will be made a condition <br /> of approval. <br /> Howard asked what the impedance is to bring this issue forward. Randy Grachek,_owner <br /> of Hank's Specialties, stated that when the building was constructed in the 1980's by AT <br /> & T the parking was placed on the north end of the building,while the office area was <br /> constructed at the east end. In the 1990's General Office Products added an additional <br /> 10,000 square feet of office space to the south east side of the building. The only way for <br /> employees to get into the office area is to park on the north side, walk across the parking <br /> lot, around the building to the entrance. This is a safety issue since they are a distribution <br /> center and there is semi trailers in the lot at all times. Their new parking lot will be set <br /> back roughly twenty feet farther into the lot then their neighbor to the north. He <br /> explained that he was originally told that the zoning for this property was heavy industrial <br /> and did not require a landscape design, thus the reason why the landscape design was <br /> late. Mann inquired if the current parking on site is sufficient,but not conveniently <br /> located. Grachek replied that they do have sufficient parking, but it is located on the <br /> opposite side of the office. <br /> Motion by Baker, Second by O'Brien to CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. <br /> 6 Ayes, 0 Nays. <br /> Zisla inquired from staff what is on the parcel to the south of this property. Fernelius <br /> replied that it is a single family home, and it is also zoned Light Industrial. Zisla asked if <br /> staff knew why the right of way is wider at that location. Fernelius replied that he does <br /> C:\Documents and Settings\jgoepe\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files\OLK28\09-19-2006.doc Page 3 of 7 <br />