CCP 07-26-1999 - Laserfiche WebLink

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ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION - JULY 7,1999 rn: r:~ '~ r"J 'i? ~ ,n~ !~ ,~. II 1111 ~nt !l -- \.' ~ If', :, ~ 2 . The applicant is proposing to remove the two existing signs at the west entrance and construct a new sign. The proposed sign will be 68 square feet and the setback would meet the required 20 . feet from the properly line, The sign will either be backlit, or will be as currently lit with a light, surrounded by shrubbery, shining on the sign. Ms. Randall advised that staff, in Planning Case 99-10, recommended approval of the west entrance monument and sign, subject to compliance with the lighting standards of the Zoning Ordinance. The east gate is shown on the master plan, however, the location of the proposed eastern gate is moved closer to Highway 51 than shown on the master plan. The master plan depicts the gate on Bethel Drive. The proposal would move the gate out further and include the service drive to one of the parking lots. At the time that the parking lot was reviewed, a control gate was discussed. It was noted to the Planning Commission that the service drive, as a public street, provides for an uncontrolled access to the College. The uncontrolled access has been, and is a security issue for the campus. If the College were to obtain the service drive, which is currently under the control of the Minnesota Department of Transportation, then the control gate would be relocated from the parking lot to the intersection of the service drive and Bethel Drive. The applicant has obtained a permit for the placement of the proposed gate from the Minnesota Department of Transportation. The applicant is also working with the Minnesota Department of Transportation to have a portion of the right-of-way turned over to Bethel College. The area to a. be returned includes the service road. The Minnesota Department of Transportation has granted .. Bethel College permission to construct the gate in the proposed location, while the College goes through the process of acquiring the properly. A condition was placed on the original approval of the east gate that called for the modification of the southeast comer of the parking lot to provide a second access point, if Bethel College relocates the control gate to the intersection of the service drive and Bethel Drive. The intent of the two entrances into the parking lot is to better circulate the traffic coming in and out of the parking lot. At this time it is difficult to get two cars side-by-side at the entrance, which essentially results in a one-car entrance to the parking area. Staff finds that the location of the proposed gate at the east entrance may cause a problem for motorists being able to turn around. The College's Engineer has provided the City with a scenario of a car entering and exiting the parking lot. Staff s primary concern was that it would be difficult for a motorist who is not familiar with the gate location, finding the gate closed and being able to exit back into traffic. Bethel College is proposing to notify all students and staff of the future gate and hours that the gate will be closed. The gate will be closed from approxinJately 11 :00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. every night, which is the same closing time as the current gate. The other concern that staff had with this proposal was that the proposed gate will reduce the a. width of the drive at the comer to approximately 20 feet, where 24 feet is required. ..