08-03-22 PC Agenda Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION – July 6, 2022 4 Commissioner Mitchell commented on how the car wash traffic would flow through the site. She appreciated how there would be no cross traffic problems. Commissioner Collins asked if the menu signs would be handled separately. City Planner Jagoe reported a land use application would be considered separately from a text amendment to allow dynamic display menu boards for businesses other than a fast food restaurant. The applicant is requesting review of the digital menu board signage for Panera under this application and the car wash would need to comply with the current ordinance language for manual menu boards. Sign permits are applied for after this review. Commissioner Collins requested further information regarding the transparency flexibility. City Planner Jagoe reviewed the type of polycarbonate transparent material that would be used at the car wash. She indicated the applicant was requesting to have 45% transparency when the City requires 50%. Commissioner Blilie questioned if there was any reason to believe there would be noise concerns from the car wash. City Planner Jagoe deferred this question to the applicant to explain the car wash and vacuum station operations. Commissioner Zimmerman thanked staff for the detailed report. He noted he was surprised by the car wash request given the small footprint of the site and requested further comment from the applicant regarding this matter. Vice Chair Wicklund opened the public hearing at 7:13 p.m. Vice Chair Wicklund invited anyone for or against the application to come forward and make comment. There being no additional comment Chair Vijums closed the public hearing at 7:14 p.m. Vice Chair Wicklund invited the applicant to come forward at this time. Bruce Carlson, Senior Vice President of Development for Launch Properties, introduced himself to the Commission. He explained he has been working with staff for the past seven months on this project. He indicated Launch Properties would be the master developer for this PUD and noted this property was currently under contract. He discussed why a car wash was being requested noting the car wash tenant would own their own lot. He stated this site had visibility and accessibility from Lexington Avenue and would work well for the proposed car wash. He noted the proposed car wash was ecofriendly and would use less water than washing a car at home. He commented further on the dynamic display sign that was being requested by Panera. He spoke to the sidewalks that were being constructed by the County and noted land was acquired by the County for this project.