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ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION – April 6, 2016 8 <br /> <br />lanes under the existing building roof. Today, the 4,500 square foot space that was occupied by <br />TCF Bank is vacant and the roof over the drive-up lanes has been removed. American Red Cross <br />is the only tenant in the building and occupies approximately 5,000 square feet of space. <br /> <br />Senior Planner Bachler commented that the proposed site modifications are part of a broader <br />reinvestment in the property being undertaken by Arden Square in an effort to attract a new <br />tenant to the building. In conjunction with the County Road E improvement project completed in <br />2015, the property owner agreed to close off two driveways that were replaced with one, 24-foot <br />wide driveway. Arden Square also recently completed renovations to the front façade of the <br />building. These improvements included the removal the mansard and gable roof on the west side <br />of the building, increasing window and brick masonry coverage, and adding awnings and <br />decorative lighting. <br /> <br />Senior Planner Bachler explained that the proposed site improvements would modify the <br />property’s drive lanes and parking stalls for a more efficient use of space. The existing parking <br />area on the north side of the building would be rearranged to include two one-way drive aisles <br />and angled parking stalls. One drive-up lane on the west side of the building would be retained <br />while the remaining lanes would be removed and replaced with parking stalls. As a result of the <br />project, the overall parking lot area would expand by 2,182 square feet and 21 additional parking <br />stalls would be constructed. Other site modifications would include a new monument sign, a <br />trash enclosure constructed with decorative rock face concrete block, bicycle racks, and updated <br />pavement and sidewalk surfaces. Landscaping on the property would be enhanced as well with <br />additional tree and perennial plantings at the County Road E entrance driveway and new parking <br />lot landscape islands. <br /> <br />Senior Planner Bachler indicated that the project includes an upgrade to the property’s <br />stormwater management system. The Rice Creek Watershed District requires properties to <br />manage runoff for different types of rainfall events and to provide on-site infiltration and water <br />quality treatment. This would be accomplished through a new subsurface infiltration basin. On- <br />site stormwater management would also be improved with the connection of building roof drains <br />to the catch basin at the southeast corner of the property. <br /> <br />Senior Planner Bachler stated that the Special Requirements for the B-2 General Business <br />District in Section 1320.085 of the Zoning Code state that Site Plans approved for properties <br />before November 24, 2008 will remain in effect, but that the PUD process will be used for any <br />future site amendments. In this case, a Master and Final PUD are required for the proposed site <br />modifications. <br /> <br />Senior Planner Bachler reported that the PUD process is a tool that provides additional <br />flexibility for development that an underlying zoning district would not otherwise allow. For <br />example, a PUD may make exceptions to setbacks, lot coverage, parking requirements, signage, <br />building materials, or landscaping requirements. It is intended to overcome the limitations of <br />zoning regulations and improve the overall design of a project. While the PUD process allows <br />the City to negotiate certain aspects of the development, any conditions imposed on the PUD <br />must have a rational basis related to the expected impact of the development. <br /> <br />Senior Planner Bachler noted that Arden Square has requested flexibility in two areas through <br />the PUD process. First, flexibility would be needed for the proposed landscape lot coverage of