PC Packet 07-17-2012 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Not Approved PLANNING COMMISSION PROCEEDINGS Regular Meeting—June 19,2012 7:00 p.m. Present: Chairperson Bruce Howard, Commissioners Steve Danger,Erin Nichols-Matkaiti,Mike Shardlow,Greg Meyers,Verne McPherson Absent: None Also Present: Janice Gundlach-City Planner, Gina Bauman-Councilmember Agenda Review: Chairperson Howard requested an update on the Clearwire Tower at Freedom Park. The agenda was approved as presented with Councilmember Bauman presenting a report on the Clearwire Tower. Minutes: Minutes from May 15, 2012 were presented and approved. Council Action: Councilmember Bauman reported the Council reviewed the 2011 audit at their previous meeting along with purchasing three new police cars. She noted the Clearwire tower would remain in its current location and the City would receive rent if another vender were to collocate. She thanked staff for working on this issue. Councilmember Bauman commented the Council would be reviewing the Pulte item at its next meeting. She understood that 26 homes have sold to date in the Pulte development in neighboring Arden Hills. She felt it was an important consideration for the City to receive the true value of the land from Pulte Homes. Public Hearing: (A) Eric Chalmers on behalf of AccuStream requests Site Plan approval to permit construction of a 70' x 125' two-story industrial building addition and associated surface parking at 309 Fifth Avenue NW. City Planner Janice Gundlach reported the applicant is requesting Site Plan approval to allow construction of a 70' x 125' two-story addition on the street side of the existing industrial building located at 309 Fifth Avenue NW. The addition would be constructed on the west side of the existing building, causing the relocation of surface parking to the rear yard where substantial open space currently exists. The proposal includes elimination of 30 surface parking stalls in the front yard and construction of 66 stalls in the rear yard. Additionally, 16 parking stalls will be preserved and better striped along the south side of the building and 16 proof of parking stalls are proposed. A northerly access point off Fifth Avenue would be eliminated and the shared access further south on Fifth Avenue would remain. The existing building provides 24,822 S.F.,with the addition adding 16,246 S.F. for a total building square footage of 41,068. The building is used for warehouse,manufacturing and office space. Planner Gundlach explained City Staff met with the applicant and his architect several times and discussed the proposed site plan in further detail with the Commission. She noted a landscape plan was provided by the applicant and meets the minimum standards of 16 canopy trees, 54 shrubs and at least one parking lot island. The new floor plan was reviewed along with the exterior elevations. One issue that still needs resolution is a private, shared access/driveway easement running north/south along the rear property boundary. This is an access point in favor of the property to the east. The applicant is pursuing the release of this easement. Because the proposed parking layout overlaps onto the easement area, a condition of approval is that the access rights are fully within drive-aisles and not encroaching into parking stalls (only two stalls are impacted with the Site Plan). If the easement is re-drafted, it will have to be reviewed by the City Attorney to confirm the language is acceptable and doesn't conflict in any way with the proposed Site Plan. Staff recommends approval of the Site Plan, subject to the following conditions: • The addition is constructed consistent with the plans submitted and attached to the Planning Report. 1