04-06-16 PC - Laserfiche WebLink

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ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION – April 6, 2016 10 Senior Planner Bachler indicated that staff is supportive of the request for flexibility to reduce landscape coverage on the property. The applicant has noted that providing additional parking stalls on the site will help with marketing the vacant space in the building. Moreover, based on the staff analysis, Arden Square is proposing only two additional parking stalls than what would be required by the Zoning Code if the tenant space were to be leased to a retail use and American Red Cross continues to operate in the building. The increase in impervious coverage would be mitigated by the new tree and perennial plantings in and around the parking lot and the upgraded stormwater management system, which will improve upon existing conditions. Senior Planner Bachler explained that staff is not supportive of the proposed monument sign on County Road E. There are no site conditions that would necessitate a larger sign for visibility reasons and the building includes only two tenants that would need advertising space on the sign. Additionally, the City recently adopted new standards for freestanding signs in Sign District 4 and in order to maintain consistency of signage along the County Road E corridor staff believes flexibility should be granted only in unusual circumstances. As a condition of approval, staff is recommending that the County Road E monument sign conform to the Sign Code standards. Senior Planner Bachler stated that based on the submitted plans and findings of fact, staff recommends approval of Planning Case 16-003 for a Master and Final PUD at 1160 County Road E West. If the Planning Commission votes to recommend approval of Planning Case 15- 016, staff is recommending the following ten (10) conditions of approval: 1. The project shall be completed in accordance with the submitted plans as amended by the conditions of approval. Any significant changes to these plans, as determined by the City Planner, shall require review and approval by the Planning Commission and the City Council. 2. The Developer shall obtain the required development permits within one year of the approval date or the approval shall expire, unless extended by the City Council prior to the approval’s expiration date. Extension requests must be submitted in writing to the City at least 45 days prior to the expiration date. 3. A PUD Agreement shall be prepared by the City Attorney and subject to City Council approval. The Agreement shall be executed prior to the issuance of any development permits. 4. The Developer shall submit a financial surety in the amount of 125 percent of the estimated costs of landscaping prior to the issuance of any development permits. The financial surety shall be in the form of a letter of credit issued by a FDIC-insured Minnesota bank. The purpose of the letter of credit is to ensure that landscaping is completed in the event that the developer defaults on the Development Agreement. The City will hold the letter of credit for two years after the installation of landscaping. The letter of credit should not expire during the two-year period. 5. The Developer shall provide the City with a copy of the Rice Creek Watershed District permit for the project prior to the issuance of any development permits. 6. Final grading, drainage, utility, and site plans shall be subject to approval by the City Engineer, Building Official, City Planner, and Fire Marshall prior to the issuance of a Grading and Erosion Control Permit or other development permits. 7. The Developer shall maintain a minimum drive aisle width of twenty (20) feet along the west side of the building between the drive-up lane and parking stalls at all times.