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In answer to a question from Schiferl, Teague stated Minar Ford would like this new access whether Service Drive is vacated or not. Teague stated he had mentioned the vacation of Service Drive because of the possibility Minar will be seeking this vacation in the future. Baker stated it appears the Minar site currently has inadequate parking; too many parking spaces are being used for inventory. According to the planning report, 318 spaces are needed to comply with the Code. The request is for 250 spaces. Teague responded that was correct. Baker asked if that could be corrected. Teague state that Mr. Phillips of Minar Ford could be required to adjust the plans to reflect the correct number of parking spaces required. Looking at aerial photos of the site, there are typically empty parking spaces on the site. Part of the problem is that employees choose to park along Service Drive because it is closer to the entrance rather than using on-site parking. Teague said, however, Baker is correct that the inventory takes up much of the available parking. Schiferl asked if parking it on Service Drive was legal. Teague responded affirmatively. Baker stated this is a public hearing and asked if anyone in the audience wanted to speak on the issue. Jim Sculthorp, 1227 Pecks Wood Drive, stated the entrance is not a problem for the people in his area. In fact, it would help the traffic situation slightly. The width of Innsbruck is a problem. There is a drive-in entrance to Norwest Bank, a right turn to Norwest, the turn outlined to the office building, and the turn to 27th. It takes real effort to get through that area. Sculthorp stated staff should take a better look at the problems in this area. As far as Service Drive is concerned, the slides showed some problems. The slides showed a car transport parked in the middle of it and cars along the side. Service Drive is presently used by Minar and is not an exit from any of our properties and is useless to us because of double parking and the car transports. A left-turn lane is needed on Innsbruck. Livingston asked if these problems were experienced going east or west on Innsbruck, in the mornings or evenings. Sculthorp said the problem was bad at 4:30 p.m. People are going to the bank and people going to McDonald’s. It is very difficult to get through there. Livingston asked if most of the traffic is going west. Sculthorp responded traffic travels both ways. Livingston said that Sculthorp mentioned traveling on Service Drive and it is often blocked off by Minar. Sculthorp responded that was correct. Teague showed the slide again and Sculthorp showed the traffic pattern. Livingston asked if it would be helpful if area residents could use Service Drive. Sculthorp responded it may be helpful if there were no parking around the curve. Sculthorp stated there is a soccer field on the corner of 27th and Innsbruck Drive. Dave Phillips, architect for Ford Motor Company, introduced himself. Baker asked if any thought had been given to his idea of widening Silver Lake Road? Phillips said his firm considered an U-turn pocket. The difficulty with an U-turn pocket is that it would make the McDonald’s site unbuildable. There would not be enough land to move McDonald’s back. The concern in talking earlier with Glen would be that the U-Haul trucks cannot use the U-turn pocket. U-Haul renters may be tempted use the pocket, but many of them are inexperienced, and could block the intersection. Phillips said a U-turn pocket would not be the safest access to the Minar Ford site. Turning left then turning left again is better than trying to make a U-turn. Schiferl asked if there was a possibility of a third lane on Innsbruck. Teague responded he did not think that has been considered. The City asked SEH to do a traffic study and it is their opinion that this use can be handled with the existing conditions. Phillips said there may be enough pavement width with the painted bike lanes. However, Service Drive is not an option to use in the afternoon rush hour. Traffic has to use Innsbruck Drive. Also, Minar’s customers have to use Innsbruck Drive to 27th. Minar is trying to turn its traffic before it gets to Sculthorp’s neighborhood. Schiferl asked how much traffic from Service Drive would be rerouted to Innsbruck. Phillips stated he was not a traffic engineer and Van Wormer’s study may have not focused on that issue. Phillips said he thought I:\COMMISSIONS\PLANNING\MINUTES\1998\08-18-98.WPD 2