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does not readily allow for windows. In this case, the rear of the building is used for bathrooms, kitchen, and storage areas, which are not conducive to transparent glass. Parking Flexibility Requested The Code requires that no more than 50 percent of the onsite parking be located in side yards, and that parking between the street and the building be discouraged. The proposed site plan shows nearly all of the parking located between the building and Connelly Avenue. This is due to the configuration of the site and the need for a continuous drive aisle around the perimeter of the building. Additional landscaping has been provided in an attempt to screen the visibility of the parking lot from the street. 3. Sidewalk The Code requires a six -foot concrete sidewalk to be built along both the County Road E and Connelly Avenue rights of way. The Code also allows the City to require cash in lieu of constructing the sidewalks to satisfy this obligation. The City is currently working on a plan to reconstruct the County Road E Bridge to include a pedestrian connection over Highway 51. In addition, the grade challenges in the County Road E right of way adjacent to the McDonald's property create a financial hardship for the property owner if a sidewalk was to be required by the City, due to the need for significant grading and retaining walls. Due to the impending bridge reconstruction and the significant grade challenges that exist along County Road E in this area, Staff is recommending that the City assess at a future date the cost of constructing a six -foot concrete sidewalk along Connelly Avenue and County Road E. Constructing this segment of sidewalk in tandem with the bridge reconstruction will allow the City to engineer a solution that is more efficient than building a sidewalk before it is known how the new bridge will align with the existing road. Details regarding the assessment will be worked out by Staff and the City Attorney prior to the Council's review of this application. 4. Sign Code No signage is being proposed as part of this application. It is anticipated that the freestanding sign will remain as is. All signage on site will need to meet the minimum requirements of the Sign Code. 5. Additional Review The Building Official, Fire Marshall, and City Engineer reviewed this application and submitted comments. All final plans will be subject to the review and approval of the Fire Marshall and City Engineer. Staff did not have any significant concerns regarding this application. City of Arden Hills Planning Commission Meeting for January 5, 2011 Page 6 of 9