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Baker asked Johnson what Pletscher wants to do this year. Bannigan answered, once the spring season is over, they intend to finish all the concrete and siting work. Johnson said they intended to do the fence, the driveways to the east and to the south, and redo the parking lot and repair to the parking lot due to watermain break damage. Baker asked Mattila how the parking lot is configured to get 34 stalls. Mattila said the numbers were provided to the City by Johnson. Baker asked if there was any documentation that there are 34 stalls. Johnson responded that the lot was striped today and there are 34 stalls in front of the building. Baker asked if we have documentation of the 34 stalls and the nonconformity. Mattila replied, as far as staff knows, the lot has always been striped at 16 feet with a 20-foot aisle. Baker said he had a problem with the parking lot regarding the proposal. Undersized stalls and an undersized drive is creating a problem and we are not addressing the nonconformity there. These stalls should be increased to the proper size. If additional parking is needed for the business, parking should be created on the site. Livingston asked if the City is requiring the Pletschers to change their parking lot. Mattila responded the City is encouraging them to use that curb cut through to the north because it is dangerous now. The cut is about 5 feet from the Campus Drive curb. The City wants the curb cut moved to the north to comply with the 50-foot setback requirement that the applicant is proposing to do. Schiferl asked why the Pletschers are not considering parking to the north. Bannigan responded said that was the home site and the Pletschers want to preserve the home nature of that parcel. Schmitz asked about the fence. Johnson responded the chain link fence is the most secure type of fence. The Pletschers are willing to consider screening the fence with vines. Schmitz asked about opaque fencing. Johnson said the applicant did not know of an opaque fence that would look pleasing after five years. Wood fences require much maintenance. Security is the key reason for the fence. There have been incidents of vandalism on the property recently. O’Brien asked for clarification of the two curb cuts. Mattila said the city was looking at the curb cuts as an existing use. It is a code requirement to have poured-in-place concrete curbing. The City would encourage concrete curbing if the applicant improves the parking lot. Mattila said the proposed parking lot would be 20 feet from the Campus Drive right-of-way, which would comply with code. Johnson said they were informed that there will be a distance where there will be no parking permitted. We were also told this was the closest point Pletscher’s could have its driveway. This is the only really feasible location for the curb cut and the need for two driveways became important because of traffic access reasons. PH. Motion by Baker, seconded by Livingston, 6 Ayes - 0 Nays. Motion TO CLOSE THE UBLIC EARING Carried. Baker stated he was not in favor of the Staff recommendation because he had no problem with the variance, but he did not think the site plan addresses the parking adequately. Livingston said he would abstain from voting because of a conflict of interest. Zisla suggested the Commission table the request until we have more information or deny the request because of lack of information. Zisla said he still felt there must be a solution to the parking problem. I:\COMMISSIONS\PLANNING\MINUTES\1997\05-20-97.WPD 6