Laserfiche WebLink
ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION – November 28, 2012 4 <br />23.The applicant shall provide to the City temporary construction easements for implementing <br />the County Road E streetscape improvements, provided the City repair and replace any <br />disturbances on applicant’s property. <br />Chair Larson asked about the size of the units not meeting the size criteria but staff is still <br />recommending approval. City Planner Meagan Beekman stated there have been a number of <br />discussions with the Planning Commission and the City Council regarding this and minimum <br />standards were desired but there was a general understanding that this is an existing building and <br />should be treated differently than a newly constructed building. The focus was more on the total <br />units rather than the square footage of each unit. Since this is a PUD, flexibility can be granted <br />in this area. <br />Chair Larson stated there is no subdivision on this property. City Planner Meagan Beekman <br />stated that was correct. Chair Larson stated he does not see parking as being an issue. <br />Commissioner Holewa asked about the two turn lanes and whether they would be done by the <br />County. City Planner Meagan Beekman stated that has not been thoroughly decided. It would <br />be a County program and may be constructed as Phase I improvements on County Road E and <br />the City may be constructing parts of this. Commissioner Holewa questioned where in the staff <br />report was the recommendation for approval noted. Commissioner Holewa also asked about <br />park dedication and confirmed that’s only when a lot is split. Commissioner Holewa also <br />confirmed that the applicant is planning a sidewalk. <br />City Planner Beekman stated that the lack of a recommendation was an oversight in the memo, <br />and that Staff was recommending approval for the Planning Case. She confirmed that the <br />applicant will be constructing a sidewalk on Lexington Avenue and that the applicant would be <br />paying for a sidewalk on County Road E, but that the City would construct the sidewalk when <br />the County Road E streetscaping project moved forward. <br />Commissioner Holewa asked about a watermain. City Planner Meagan Beekman stated the City <br />Public Works Engineer had suggested a watermain be constructed in a previous application. He <br />felt the watermain would be more tied to a subdivision. Commissioner Holewa noted the traffic <br />study showed an assumed 10% reduction in trips based on mode share and 0% reduction based <br />on pass-by trips. City Planner Meagan Beekman stated the Director of Public Works is satisfied <br />with the traffic study. Commissioner Holewa stated the traffic study concluded that the proposed <br />redevelopment would not have a significant impact on intersection operations in the area. <br />Commissioner Thompson asked about the parking stall in the front (28 stalls) and if that was <br />sufficient parking lots for the retail. She asked how it compared to Shannon Square. City <br />Planner Meagan Beekman stated the retail will require 114 parking stalls total and the 28 stalls <br />located in the front would not meet all the parking demand for the retail. There will still be some <br />shared parking on the side and in the rear of the building. There will be a rear building access <br />with a cut-through that would allow visitors to access the retail areas through the back of the <br />building. Commissioner Thompson stated she was surprised about the access from the back and <br />it seems a narrow area to access the retail. <br />Commissioner Zimmerman asked how many total parking spaces are required. City Planner <br />Meagan Beekman stated 241 are required but 284 are provided in the plan. Commissioner <br />Zimmerman asked if a parking ramp was considered. City Planner Meagan Beekman stated a <br />parking ramp would make the project cost not feasible. The proposed plan would provide the <br />