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Planning Commission Minutes September 13. 1995 Michael Falk explained that the site is currently zone Rl, single-family, and that a church is a permitted use within the Rl zone. The church site is 6.3 acres, bounded on the west by Lexington Avenue, on the south by Parker and on the north by Burke A venue. On the east there are existing residential homes. Three homes along the east edge of the property will be removed from the site as this addition is constructed. Two structures along the site will be relocated to different portions of the property as the project is constructed. The addition will include 32,000 sq. ft. on 2 levels and add an additional 101 parking spaces. The variance would allow for a 40 ft. high new sanctuary to be constructed above the existing main floor level. The church has indicated that the height is required to achieve the correct acoustics within the larger sanctuary and to accommodate a pipe organ at the south end of the structure. The height is only at the center of the north/south access of the new sanctuary. At the mid point, the roof slopes. The average height is 28 feet. There will be no rooftop mechanicals seen from the street. Existing trees on the southwest corner of the site are approximately 50 to 60 ft. in height and will provide screening from the residential area. Parking is adequate for this site. In fact, there is more than enough parking. The church responds that there will be more than one activity occurring in the church at anyone time. The site currently handles storm runoff by roof drains and catch basins that connect to a storm sewer on Burke Avenue. The additional storm water runoff by the new hard surface of the roof and the paving will be retained in a pond along the north edge of the property. The engineering staff has reviewed this plan and indicated the storm calculations will need to be reviewed prior to issuance of any building permit. The engineering staff provided a list of 8 conditions that should be attached to the permit, and are included in the written report dated September 11, 1995, by Michael Falk. City Planner Falk summarized that the project has been reviewed by the neighbors and that there are concerns regarding drainage and landscaping as well as traffic in the parking lot. The staffhas encouraged the designed to add additional landscaping along the east property line to screen the neighbors from the parking lot, and does recommend approval of the Calvary Baptist Church's request for a variance to the height specification for Rl zoning districts to allow for a 40 ft. high sanctuary. Ray Geiger, the Architect representing the church, presented architectural drawings including the exterior brick and stucco details. He stated he had met with the neighbors and that there appeared to be no major concern about the height, but more concern about the site plan and landscaping. Member Wietecki asked the architect to show more islands to soften the sea of asphalt, and preserve the existing trees if at all possible. Member Sandstrom asked that the storm water drainage needs much attention, especially with the addition of the large, new parking lot. He noted that the pond design is inefficient and should be triangular shaped. 11