Laserfiche WebLink
ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION – August 5, 2015 3 <br /> <br />Current Lot Sizes: Total Area of Master PUD: 11.02 Acres (479,991 sq. ft.) <br />Lot 1, Arden Plaza 2nd Addition: 0.87 acres (37,732 sq. ft.) <br />Topography: The elevation of the lot is lower than Lexington Avenue. There <br />is a stormwater pond in the southeast corner of the site. <br /> <br />Associate Planner Bachler reviewed the surrounding area and the Plan Evaluation. <br /> <br />Associate Planner Bachler provided the Findings of Fact for review: <br /> <br />1. Hemisphere Restaurant Partners has requested approval of a Final PUD for Phase III of <br />the Arden Plaza Master PUD on Lot 1, Arden Plaza 2nd Addition. <br />2. The original Master PUD for the development was approved in Planning Case #09-011. <br />Subsequent PUD Amendments were approved in Planning Case #11-016 and Planning <br />Case #15-002. <br />3. A Preliminary Plat for Arden Plaza 2nd Addition was approved in Planning Case #15-02. <br />Final Plat approval was conditioned on building improvements currently under <br />construction by Arden Plaza, LLC. <br />4. The applicant has proposed a 9,500 square foot restaurant building with an attached 3,050 <br />square foot outdoor patio area. <br />5. The development proposal is in substantial conformance with the approved Arden Plaza <br />Master PUD and the site improvement requirements contained therein. <br />6. The Arden Plaza retail center and Phase III development site are located in the B-2 <br />General Business District. <br />7. The City has adopted the Guiding Plan for the B-2 District that outlines future <br />development principals for the area. <br />8. The City has adopted Design Standards for the B-2 District within the Zoning Code. <br />9. The Final PUD for Phase III is in substantial conformance with the requirements of the <br />City’s Zoning Code. <br />10. The Final PUD for Phase III is in substantial conformance with the Guiding Plan for the <br />B-2 District. <br />11. The Final PUD for Phase III is in conformance with the requirements of the City’s Sign <br />Code. <br />12. The Final PUD for Phase III is in conformance with the City’s Comprehensive Plan. <br />13. The PUD process allows for flexibility within the City’s regulations through a negotiated <br />process with a developer. <br />14. Where the plan is not in conformance with the City’s Zoning Code, flexibility has been <br />requested by the applicant and/or conditions have been placed on an approval that would <br />mitigate the nonconformity. <br />15. Flexibility is needed from the standards in the City’s Zoning Code in terms of the <br />proposed exterior building materials, building design, and parking requirements. <br />16. The proposal exceeds the standards in the City’s Zoning Code in terms of perennial <br />plantings and window transparency coverage. <br />17. The application is not anticipated to create a negative impact on the immediate area or the <br />community as a whole. <br /> <br />Associate Planner Bachler stated that based on the submitted plans and findings of fact, staff <br />recommends approval of Planning Case 15-016 for a Final PUD for Phase III of the Arden Plaza <br />Master PUD at 3527-3557 Lexington Avenue North. If the Planning Commission votes to