04-03-13 PC Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION – APRIL 3, 2013 4 City Planner Meagan Beekman stated no formal action is necessary the applicant and staff are seeking feedback from the Planning Commission on the submitted plans. Chair Larson asked if the traffic study will be completed by the May Planning Commission Meeting. City Planner Meagan Beekman stated it most likely would not be completed and the findings will come later. Chair Larson added the closing of the three access points would be an advantage. Commissioner Thompson asked if the access point would align with the Target intersection. City Planner Meagan Beekman stated the County would not allow it if it did not align with the Target intersection. Commissioner Holewa asked if the spacing of the stop lights was a concern. He stated he would like the two lights coordinated together. Mr. Nick Roberts, owner of Roberts Development Company, stated they just closed on the Blue Fox property last Monday. They are looking forward to getting the project done. Chair Larson stated the drive-up and queue along Lexington is somewhat awkward. Something more than the retaining wall needs to be added. He suggested the back doors be painted to blend in with the brick. Chair Larson suggested landscaping between the areas between the towers in the right-of-way. He is concerned about the back doors of the tenant spaces. Mr. Roberts stated the drive-thru has been moved to the North side of the building. The queuing will follow the same track and some patio seating will be lost. Mr. Roberts stated his vision is to make it a high end retail center. He has brought some samples for Commission review. He wants the area to have a timeless feel. The plan is to paint the doors and landscaping will be done with irrigation. Mr. Roberts stated the back of the building should be as appealing as the front. Commissioner Zimmerman stated he concurred with Chair Larson. He stated he assumes there will be signage to direct traffic. Mr. Roberts stated the signs will be closer to the road. Commissioner Zimmerman asked if Blue Fox is just going away and Mr. Roberts stated that is the plan. On the 3771 building the plan is to do the project in phases as it evolves. Phase II is the 1120 building. Commissioner Thompson asked for an overview of Mr. Robert’s vision for the development. Mr. Robert’s stated in Phase I he would foresee two restaurants, a coffee shop, some mixed retail, possibly a high-end wine store. Phase II may include a fitness center and Phase III may include some offices, family sit-down dining, underground parking, dentist office, insurance agent, etc. Commissioner Thompson asked if people would be walking from one area to the other and whether the landscaping would include pavement for walkers and bicycles. Mr. Roberts stated there is a pedestrian plan for Phase I with a crosswalk connecting the parking lots. Commissioner Thompson stated she has seen different color pavement indicating a crosswalk area and that might be something for the developer to consider. Commissioner Holewa stated he was concerned about the view from Lexington Avenue. He stated some of the businesses may not require a lot of signage. Commissioner Hames asked if the drive-thru would be a late night drive-thru and Mr. Roberts stated it would be a coffee shop with early morning business.