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ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION – May 6, 2015 14 <br /> <br />Commissioner Jones moved and Commissioner Zimmerman seconded a motion to <br />recommend approval of Planning Case 15-010 for a Minor Subdivision at 3517 Siems <br />Court, based on the findings of fact and the submitted plans, as amended by the four (4) <br />conditions in the May 6, 2015, Report to the Planning Commission. The motion carried <br />unanimously (5-0). <br /> <br />D. Planning Case 15-012; Planned Unit Development Amendment – Caribou Coffee – <br />3673 Lexington Avenue N – Public Hearing <br /> <br />City Planner Streff stated that Caribou Coffee Company is proposing to construct a drive-thru <br />lane and pick-up window along the eastern side of the Shannon Square retail center building, <br />which fronts Lexington Avenue North. The purpose of the drive-thru addition is to improve the <br />overall customer experience, accommodate different types of customers, and stay competitive <br />within the market. <br /> <br />City Planner Streff indicated that the property is located at 3673 Lexington Avenue North <br />within the B-3 Service Business District. The purpose of this district among other things is to <br />serve the community and motorist with a broad range of service and goods; ensure acceptable <br />traffic operations; keep retail services compact, convenient and close to arterial streets; and <br />promote flexibility in land uses and development standards. Restaurants including those with <br />drive-thru windows are permitted as principal uses in the district. However, special regulations <br />for drive-thru windows in the B-3 District exist to ensure proper placement, design, and use. <br /> <br />City Planner Streff commented that the site is positioned north of the railroad tracks owned by <br />Canadian Pacific, south of Cub Foods, east of the Transwestern property occupied by Taylor <br />Corporation, and west of Lexington Avenue North. Other tenants within the retail center include <br />Subway, H&R Block, Great Clips, and UPS. <br /> <br />City Planner Streff explained that Caribou Coffee Company is requesting a Planned Unit <br />Development (PUD) Amendment to allow for the expansion of their business to include a <br />customer drive-thru lane and pick-up window. The pick-up window addition would be located on <br />the east side of the Shannon Square retail center requiring only minor modifications to the façade <br />in order to accommodate the 36 square foot addition. The modification would include the <br />removal of a façade section that is approximately eleven (11) feet in length in order to construct <br />the pick-up window addition. The existing side entrance door would be relocated to the southeast <br />corner. As indicated by the applicant, the drive-up window addition would be constructed with <br />masonry units to match the existing structure. <br /> <br />City Planner Streff stated that the construction of the drive-thru lane would involve the <br />reconfiguration of the parking lot on the eastern side of the building in order to accommodate the <br />drive-thru lane and vehicle stacking area. Sixteen (16) parking spaces would be eliminated from <br />the site to provide stacking for approximately twelve (12) vehicles within the drive-thru lane. The <br />sidewalk that currently exists on the eastern side of the building would be removed in order to <br />facilitate the drive-thru lane and pick-up window. <br /> <br />City Planner Streff indicated that the proposed plans also include the installation of a menu <br />board and speaker for placing orders and a canvas awning placed above the pick-up window to <br />shield customers. As depicted on the site plan a new landscaping island would be installed along