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I I I Council Meeting Minutes March 22, 1994 Page 7 Council Business. continued The parking plan is consistent with similar facilities in Hopkins and Champlin which found the parking adequate. Also, Hopkins revised its parking ordinance to required .75 parking space per unit for a handicap housing facility. If this ratio were applied to this facility, it would require a total of 19 stalls. The applicant proposes 36 stalls and is able to build two more stalls without needing an additional setback variance. The Planning Commission recommends approval of the proposal with the condition that the developer and staff look at driveway alignments alternatives. One alternative provides a two lane inJout onto Pike Lake Drive preventing any headlight glare from entering the homes across the street, however, this causes the driveway to be located too close to the intersection. The second alternative shows the driveway further away from that intersection. Samuelson asked if these alternatives provide for employee parking. Mattila confirmed that each option would have the same number of stalls, and resident parking would be located in the front of the building and employee and visitor parking located to the south. The landscape plan would change slightly to reflect the new alignments. Gunderman asked why a curb cut was not installed to allow direct access to the shopping center. Mattila noted the ramp alignment which would allow residents to enter the shopping center area. Gunderman asked if a more direct access could be created. Mattila said the facility generates a limited number of daily vehicle trips because most residents do not operate personal vehicles. Those residents who do drive would use the Pike Lake Drive access. Gunderman prefers that a curb cut be included to allow for direct access to the center. Larson noted that an additional curb cut would not only allow for residents of the facility access, but may cause unwanted traffic to enter that neighborhood. Mattila said the facility would generate 46 daily trips; a conventional apartment building generates 152; a senior apartment building generates 82; and four single family homes would generate 40 trips. This project would most likely maximize the use of this site. Benke noted concern regarding the one way accesses. Mattila said the Planning Commission proposed the one way inJout to eliminate any headlight problems. Mike Bjerkesett, NHHI, said the alternatives were provided because of the Planning Commission request. He prefers the original scenario because the first alternative is unsuitable because of its placement to the intersection. Both alternatives require three right turns to enter the property with an access onto a busy collector street. Originally, the lighting concern was brought forth by a resident who owns the four- plex across the street. He noted that the four-plex has one window and a four-car garage facing the parking lot. The original proposal shows that any lights entering the four-plex would shone against the garages and not greatly impact the four-plex. Landscaping will provide screening along the driveway. Samuelson asked if the first scenario provides a one way access. Mattila confirmed that the scenario involves a one way inJout access. Council Business NHHI Proposal Report 94-075 Resolution 94-039 Resolution 94-040 Resolution 94-041