04-25-16-R - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

City of Arden Hills City Council Meeting for April 25, 2016 P:\Planning\Planning Cases\2016\PC 16-003 - Arden Square Master & Final PUD - 1160 County Road E\Memos_Reports_16-003 Page 2 of 8 brick masonry coverage, and adding awnings and decorative lighting. The applicant has provided photographs of this work in Attachment A. 1. Overview of Request The proposed site improvements would modify the property’s drive lanes and parking stalls for a more efficient use of space. The existing parking area on the north side of the building would be rearranged to include two one-way drive aisles and angled parking stalls. One drive-up lane on the west side of the building would be retained while the remaining lanes would be removed and replaced with parking. As a result of the project, the overall parking lot area would expand by 2,182 square feet and 21 additional parking stalls would be constructed. Other site modifications would include a new monument sign, a trash enclosure constructed with decorative rock face concrete block, bicycle racks, and updated pavement and sidewalk surfaces. Landscaping on the property would be enhanced as well with additional tree and perennial plantings at the County Road E entrance driveway and new parking lot landscape islands. The project will require a separate permit from the Rice Creek Watershed District (RCWD) because of the increase in impervious surface coverage. Arden Square will improve existing stormwater management on the site to comply with RCWD regulations on rate control and water quality. This would be accomplished with a new subsurface basin and EcoStorm Plus structure that will capture the majority of the runoff from the property and allow for a slower release of stormwater into the City’s sewer system. Currently, the property does not include any rate control or water quality facilities to manage runoff. A memo from the City Engineer addressing the proposed system is included in Attachment E. The applicant has provided a project narrative explaining the proposed work in more detail and areas where flexibility from the City Code is needed (Attachment A). The proposed site, landscaping, and stormwater management plans are included in Attachment C. 2. Planned Unit Development (PUD) Process: The Special Requirements for the B-2 General Business District in Section 1320.085 of the Zoning Code state that Site Plans approved for properties before November 24, 2008 will remain in effect, but that the PUD process will be used for any future site amendments. In this case, a Master and Final PUD are required for the proposed site modifications. The PUD process is a tool that provides additional flexibility for development that an underlying zoning district would not otherwise allow. For example, a PUD may make exceptions to setbacks, lot coverage, parking requirements, signage, building materials, or landscaping requirements. It is intended to overcome the limitations of zoning regulations and improve the overall design of a project. While the PUD process allows the City to negotiate certain aspects of