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'i-560 C.II'll IC .117C' e osevi e To: Craig Waldron, Economic Development Director From: Charles V. Honchell, Public Works Director He: Lexington Plaza Shopping Center area Date: April 22, 1986 The owners of the Lexington Plaza Shopping Center are currently proposing to construct an additional shopping center on the western side of Lexington Avenue known as Lexington Plaza Shoppes. Due to the interdependence of parking for these two areas, it is necessary to look at them in combination in reviewing the new shopping center proposal. As you are aware, the original Lexington Plaza Shopping Center is one of the oldest shopping centers in the Twin Cities having been built in the late 1940's. Since that time, parking needs and transportation needs have evolved. This results in the original shopping center having problems in meeting their transportation requirements on the available land. Several variances will be necessary to allow the parking to be very close to the road rights -of -way to avoid losing numerous parking spaces. The loss of these spaces would have a severe impact on the centers. Due to the unusual nature of this setting and the fact that the solutions will require innovative approaches, it is suggested that a development agreement would be appropriate in this instance. This development agreement would be for the benefit of both the city and the developer to clearly indicate the expectations, desires, and responsibilities of all parties concerned. I would suggest that the following items be included in any development agreement: 1. Lexington Avenue requires 99 feet of right-of-way to be in conformance with Ramsey County's master plan. Such a requirement would result in an entire row of parking being removed along the east side of Lexington Avenue if it were to be enforced at this time. The new development on the west side could be modified to meet the right-of- way needs, but would result in the parking lot being adjacent to the newly created right-of-way line. Therefore, the agreement should specify that the easements for road right-of-way be met on the east side through the granting of a 16 1/2 foot right-of-way easement, and that the maximum easement on the west side be provided which does not require the removal of parking spaces. At this time, that is approximately a 7 foot distance. In both oases, the city would in turn agree to give a variance to the parking lot setback to 0 feet on both sides of Lexington Avenue as long as the existing structures remain in place.