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