CCP 07-14-1997 - Laserfiche WebLink

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I" I CITY OF ARDEN HILLS ~ MEMORANDUM DATE: July 14, 1997 I TO: Mayor and City Council I FROM: Kevin Ringwald, Community Development Director ~ I SUBJECT: Case #97-06, PUD Master and Final Plans (including variances) and Preliminary Plat, Welsh Companies, 4000 Round Lake Road I Request The applicant is requesting approval of a Planned Unit Development (PUD) Master Plan and Final Plan (including variances), preliminary and final plat, and a street vacation to facilitate the I construction of a three phase office/industrial project consisting of a 104,532 square foot building (Phase II), 113,524 square foot building (Phase 1II), and alii ,972 square foot building (Phase IV) on a 31.76 acre site zoned Gateway Business (Given that the City Council received I the original submittal as part of the July 2,1997 Planning Commission packet. The Staffis including the supplemental memorandum which went to the Planning Commission at that Ie meeting in the packet). Backl!round I Due to the scope of this project, I would like to focus on several areas which I believe are most critical: aesthetics between Phases III and IV; and the timing of this project relative to the timing of road improvements to serve this project. I I believe that the relative aesthetics of the "I" area will playa significant role in the City's ability to attract a quality office tenant on the "30 Acres" at the comer of Interstate 694 and Interstate I 35W. The "I" area is that area in front of, between, and behind Phases III and IV. The City should closely examine and be comfortable with the grades, ponds, parking areas, landscaping, and exterior elevations of this area. The Planning Commission provided the application with I direction on several improvements to this area, as well as the front of the Phase II building. I The Traffic Engineer has stated that "... the project will have no significant impacts on the signalized intersection at County Highway 96 and Round Lake Road...". However, the intersection of Round Lake Road and Highway 96 has not yet been relocated nor signalized. I Therefore, linkage is required between the approvals granted in this request and the completion of certain minimum improvements on Round Lake Road to facilitate those approvals. The City should carefully establish proper linkages between building construction and roadway I improvements in the area. The recommendation from the Planning Commission is establishing the linkages based on building occupancy, other alternates include approving subject to; City Council approval of the necessary improvements to facilitate the project, or No issuance of -- building permits until such time that the necessary road improvements are completed. I