CCP 04-26-1999 - Laserfiche WebLink

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e e e ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION - APRIL 7, 1999 ~~~~y 15 For some time, the City has been contemplating the future of several commercial comers within the community. These commercial comers are in close proximity to residential neighborhoods and either currently provide, or can provide a limited range of over the counter convenience retail and service uses that serve the daily and weekly needs of these adjacent residential areas. These neighborhood business locations can serve to: decrease the need for excessive automobile trips; provide for a neighborhood gathering place (i.e., public commons); concentrate transit opportunities; and, as the title implies, provide for limited commercial opportunities adjacent to residential neighborhoods. The Staffhas obtained the Neighborhood Business Zoning Ordinances from several other cities. The Planning Commission may wish to utilize these Ordinances as a guide as the City of Arden Hills develops its own Ordinance. Additionally, the Staff would like to receive from the Planning Commission any examples of good or bad neighborllood businesses for the Staff to investigate and report back on at the next meeting. The Staff had developed a tentative 120 day schedule for the Planning COIilIllission, related to the implementation of the Neighborllood Business District. This schedule would involve a detailed study of proposed sites and other Neighborhood Business sites in other cities; a detailed study of components of the Neighborhood Business District Ordinance; a review of the draft Ordinance; a public hearing on Ordinance and Rezoning; and City Council action on the Planning Commission recommendations. The Planning Commission, during the Comprehensive Plan update process, had identified several sites within the City which meet the criteria for Neighborhood Business. At the next Planning Commission meeting, Staff would bring back some detailed studies of each of the sites, considering the limitations and opportunities of each. Chair Erickson stated that he has been aware of the issues surrounding the northeast comer of County Road D and Cleveland Avenue. He indicated that he had discussed with Staff the notion of a planned unit development approach to this area. This site, as well as others, is currently limited by the setback requirements and at this point there is no way to build on some of the identified sites. Mr. Ringwald stated that this would be one of the issues when considering the Neighborhood Business District. The sites currently have the large buffering requirements because they fall under the B-1 Limited Business District. The intent of the Neighborhood Business District would be to eliminate or restrict those uses which are not compatible with adjacent residential, thereby eliminating the large setback requirements. Chair Erickson noted that each zoning classification has its own building requirements. He asked how much Limited Business varies from Residential zoning. Mr. Ringwald explained that the Business Districts have larger lot coverage and there are less landscape requirements. The height limit of 35 feet remains consistent, with the exception of the Gateway Business District. With regard to setbacks, the Business Industrial District requires a 100- foot setback from Residential Districts. This setback requirement results in many of the smaller comer sites being unable to develop. Mr. Ringwald stated that Staff had received numerous proposals for the County Road DI Cleveland Avenue and New Brighton Road/Cleveland Avenue sites. These proposals have not