Planning Report

Date:	March 20, 2001

Case:	LP 01-03

Subject:	Site Plan

Applicant:	Superior Flooring

Request & Background

To consider a request by Superior Flooring for a site plan review for the purpose of constructing a 8,951 square foot office/showroom/warehouse building to be located at 2053 Old Highway 8 NW.

The building will consist of 5,663 square feet of office/showroom space, and 3,288 square feet of warehouse space.

Findings

Section 8-010, Site Plan Review

Section 11-010, Parking Standards

Site Characteristics

1.	Location:	2053 Old Highway 8 NW

2.	Lot Size:	The site is 0.56 acres.

3.	Topography:	Relatively flat

4.	Vegetation:	None

5.	Sensitive Areas:	None

6.	Comprehensive Plan Designation:	Light Industrial

7.	Zoning:	I-1, Light Industrial

8.	Surrounding Land Uses:

North:	PJW Automotive

South:	Liquid Scale

East:	Cheetah Precision (Manufacturing)

West:	US Office Products (warehouse)

Site History

1.	Past Uses:	drive-in eating establishment

2.	Historical Significance:	None

Departmental Considerations

Community Development

1.	Parking & Drive Aisle Setbacks:	Required: 40' front; 5 foot side & 5' rear

Proposed: 19' front; 5' side & 5' rear.

Applicant has applied for a 21-foot Right-of-Way Vacation from Ramsey County along Old Highway 8 to meet City parking and building setback requirements.

2.	Parking Spaces Required:	5,663 s.f. office & 3,288 s.f. warehouse = 24 stalls required

3.	Parking Spaces Proposed:	25

4.	Handicap Parking:	Required: 1 Stall	Proposed: 1

5.	Stall Size:	9 x 18 (complies)

6.	Drive Aisle Size (two way):	Required: 24 feet	Proposed: 24 feet

7.	Total Drive Entrances:	One - Off of Old Hwy. 8

8.	Driveway Width:	Maximum: 36 feet	Proposed: 25feet

9.	Concrete Curbing:	Shall be required

10.	Parking Area Surface:	Bituminous

11.	Landscaping/Screening:	The City Forester has indicated that the submitted landscape plans are adequate but may benefit from additional screening to the north, west, and southwest corner of the site. This may be accomplished through flowering trees.

12.	Lighting:	Plans show three light packs on the south wall, one on the northern wall, a ground-light in the front (west) of the building and one pole illuminating the southern portion of the parking lot.

13.	Signs:	One ground sign and one flag pole are shown on plans.

Public Works

1.	Streets:	Access to Old Highway 8

2.	Curb Cuts:	One proposed Curb Cut on Old Highway 8

3.	Utilities	Existing in Old Highway 8 Right-of-Way. Pending County Vacation of 21 feet, Staff Engineers would like to see an easement created and maintained for the entire 21-foot section of proposed vacation for existing utility maintenance and future Old Highway 8 redevelopment including sidewalk development.

3.	Grading/Drainage:	No changes are proposed.

4.	Rice Creek Watershed District:	Pending approval

5.	Environmental Concerns:	NA

6.	MPCA:	NA

7.	Other Considerations:	None

Building Official

1.	Structure Size:	A one-story 8,951 square foot building

2.	Maximum Structure Height :	40 feet

3.	Structure Height (proposed):	21 feet

4.	Exterior Treatment:	Rock faced concrete block, with decorative concrete and metal canopy over entryway.

5.	UBC Compliance:	Required

6.	Other Considerations:	None

Sanitation/housing

1.	Weeds:	NA

2.	Garbage/Rubbish Enclosures:	NA

3.	Seating Requirements:	NA

4.	Kitchen Facilities:	NA

5.	Other Considerations:	None

Parks

1.	Proximity of Parks:	½ mile from Long Lake Regional Park

2.	Proximity to Community Facilities:	NA

3.	Impact on Parks:	NA

4.	Impact on Community Facilities:	NA

5.	Other Considerations:	None

Fire

1.	Hydrant Locations:	Existing near northwest portion of site. Hydrant needed in southwest portion of site. Final location to be determined when Fire Department connection sited.

2.	Access to Site:	Adequate

3.	Access to Structure:	Adequate

4.	Other Considerations:	None

Police

1.	Traffic Safety:	Adequate

2.	On-Street Parking:	NA

3.	Site Security:	Adequate

4.	Other Considerations:	None

Staff Comments

Vacating a portion of Old Highway 8 is necessary for the applicant to meet front setback requirements. The proposed building would be consistent with surrounding building setbacks from Old Highway 8.

Recommendation

Motion to recommend approval of LP 01-0 3 subject to the following conditions:

1.	Street Vacation Approval from Ramsey County and utility and sidewalk easement agreement filed with City Staff.

2.	Trash container(s) to be contained entirely within building.

3.	Approval by Rice Creek Watershed District.

4.	Sign drawings submitted to City Planner. Sign shall be constructed of same materials as building and required to meet the provisions of the Sign Ordinance Sections 9-010 through 9-180.

Patrick Boylan, Intermediate City Planner