2B, Arden Plaza Redevelopment & Walgreen's Discussion

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Modifications to Plan The proposed changes are minor and are improvements to the overall site plan. There are two primary modifications: • The building would be eight feet wider towards the west. This would eliminate one drive-thm lane, narrow the drive-thru overhang, and move the trash receptacles to the interior of the building. • Building materials are being improved. All EIFS is proposed to be eliminated, making the building 100 percent brick and glass, and the amount of transparent glass on the building is being increased. Furthermore, the proposed Walgreen's plan would maintain the approved signage plan, which CVS Pharmacy had indicated they would need to amend to allow additional signage. All other conditions of approval would be maintained by the proposed Walgreen's revisions. The previous Walgreen's plan that the City reviewed in 2009 included a glass atrium that faced the corner of County Road E and Lexington Avenue, internal to the atrium was proposed a neon sign. The currently proposed plan eliminates this glass area, replacing it with brick. Walgreen's is proposing a W wall sign in this area, which would be within the approved 99 square feet of wall signage, and would not be internally lit. Approval Process One of the conditions added to every land use approval is that the project must be constructed in accordance with the approved plans, and that any significant changes to these plans, as determined by the City Planner, shall require review and approval by the Planning Commission and City Council. This condition allows staff to approve minor modifications to plans, which are common during the construction process. While staff feels that the modifications proposed by Walgreen's are minor in nature, due to the visibility and interest in this particular project, staff is bringing these revisions to the Council for review. If the Council determines that the proposed plans constitute minor modifications to the approved plans, Staff will proceed with drafting a development agreement that includes the minor modifications and bring this item to Council at the next available meeting. Staff has conferred with the City Attorney who concurs with this plan of action. The alternative action would be for the Council to determine that the proposed changes are significant, which would require a Master and Final PUD Amendment in order to approve. The application would then go back to the Planning Commission for review and a public hearing. Because of the Planning Commission's schedule this item would not be able to move forward until February. City of Arden Hills City Council Meeting for December 19, 2011 P:lPlanning0anning Cases12011 W-016-Arden Plaza-PUD Amendment(APPROVED)112-19-11-CC Work Session-Arden Plaza.doc Page 2 of 3