2019.09.17 Planning Commission - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

SUP Review: Zahl Petrolicum Planning Commission Report; 9-17-19 Page 6 Building Materials:  Building materials for the new warehouse/assembly building will be required to meet minimum standards in the I-1 zoning district. Per section 6-390(12), “the exterior treatment on the street side of the structure shall be brick, stone, tilt-up slabs, architectural metal panels, decorative block, or the equivalent. The other sides of the structure shall not be raw block.”  The proposed plans show the building will conform to the requirements of code. The front of the building would include 4’ of Moderra Masonary block, and the remaining walls and roof will be finished with Metal Sales’ Classic Rib Panels. Building Height:  The proposed building will conform to the 40 foot height maximum in the I-1 zoning district.  Tanks, if/when stacked outside, shall not exceed the 40 foot height maximum. Landscaping:  While the site is surrounded by good tree cover and arguably does not need a significant injection of landscaping given its location and proposed use, Section 8- 101(2)(B) doesn’t provide much flexibility to waive requirements. Either subdivision (D) or (G) must be implemented.  The applicants are electing to fulfill landscaping requirements by proposing to meet the standards in subsection (G): Alternative Landscaping Options. Per the applicant: “…I am proposing landscaping the north and south sides of the building with oriental grass along with a few low lying plantings. On the building front I plan on doing the same thing along the area where the office is located. Since the existing property is so heavily wooded planting random trees seems like it really does not help the look of the property. Planting pine trees on the north edge also could be done as it might help buffer the Arden Hills side to the north on the property. With so much tree vegetation there at the moment it is very hard to see if that will be necessary but we would be glad to make this happen if it does help buffer that side. Any other suggestions could be discussed as I know this particular site does not fall into the realm of what most sites look like.” [sic]  Staff concurs that current vegetation around the site makes the property unique amongst other I-1 properties, and standard beautification landscaping is largely unnecessary and has the potential to impact the proposed operation if added interior to the site. Accordingly, we would be supportive of conditioning any approval on the applicant coming up with a reasonable planting plan with the City forester showing coniferous trees in logical/gap locations along the northern property line, plantings of native natural grasses around the building, and (if possible) inclusion of a natural stormwater amenity (i.e. rain garden or bioswale)