04-25-16-R - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—APRIL 25, 2016 9 Senior Planner Bachler explained that if these two parking spaces were replaced with a landscaped area, this would assist in increasing the percentage of the lot covered by landscaping. Community Development Director Hutmacher reported that the landscaping coverage would be increased to 15.3% if the two parking spaces were converted. Councilmember Holden feared that this property was not properly connected to the adjacent properties. She questioned if a sidewalk connection should be made. Senior Planner Bachler suggested that the applicant respond to this question. Councilmember Holden asked if the drive-up window was already agreed to. Senior Planner Bachler indicated that the previous tenant, TCF Bank, had a drive-up window with five lanes on the west side of the building. The drive-up window and one lane would be retained to allow the property owner more flexibility in attracting a tenant to this space. Further discussion ensued regarding the City's car stacking requirements. He explained that the future use of the drive-up window was further addressed by Condition 8, which was drafted by the City Attorney. Mayor Grant questioned if the City had a limit on the number of drive-up windows and asked if Walgreens was considered to have a drive-up. Senior Planner Bachler stated that drive-up windows were required to be spaced at least 1,320 feet apart from one another. He noted that Walgreens and Goodwill had drive-up facilities. Councilmember Wicklund inquired if the City had made other variances for monument signs along County Road E. Senior Planner Bachler indicated that E Street Flats was granted a PUD amendment for their two monument signs. He explained that flexibility was requested to allow this property to have two signs on their County Road E frontage when only one was allowed. Staff noted that both of these signs were 10 feet in height with a sign copy area of 51.2 square feet. Councilmember Wicklund questioned if there was a plan to remove any of the trees along County Road E where the monument sign would be placed. Senior Planner Bachler reviewed the landscape plan with the Council and stated that the original location of the monument sign would not impact any of the existing trees. He commented the alterative location may impact the trees. Councilmember Holmes expressed concern with the fact that 50% of the greenspace by the sidewalk would be eliminated by the extra parking. She requested further information from staff on the number of trees currently on the site. Senior Planner Bachler discussed the landscaping plan further and noted the location of existing trees.