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Commission should be reviewing the request and the history of this site, <br />including the moratorium and James Addition Task Force efforts. She advised <br />the area was zoned B-2, Retail Business, and classified as Limited Business in <br />the Comprehensive Plan. <br />In reviewing the site plan, Ms. Lee compared the current plan with the NTB plan <br />submitted in 1997, indicating the size of the building had been somewhat <br />reduced and additional landscaping provided. The site is 1.85 acres in size with <br />an easterly ingress and southerly egress; parking will take up 42% of the site <br />and will exceed code requirements; applicant has agreed to cross parking with <br />Knights of Columbus site and access easement between the two properties; a <br />surface water storm/storage pond is located along the rear (westerly) property <br />line (discussion took place later as to the feasibility and practicality of fencing in <br />the pond as it is adjacent to the public park); landscaping plan was illustrated; <br />increased traffic flow/capacity, and future MnDOT plans for the median (on <br />Snelling) were discussed. <br />Kim discussed the staff’s concern with lack of a signage plan and lighting plan <br />and the proposed exterior materials (do not meet City’s design standards). Kim <br />read the staff finds and recommendations. <br />Member Olson asked if parking was available, from NTB, for the Knights of <br />Columbus site when NTB was open. (Yes) <br />Chair Harms questioned the placement of exterior trash storage. <br />At the request of the Chair, Kim reviewed permitted uses in the B-2 zoning <br />district (basically any retail) and advised that auto service stations must obtain a <br />Conditional Use Permit even in an industrially zoned area. <br />Member Wilke expressed concern with MnDOT’s possible closure of the <br />Oakcrest turn lane; Kim advised the applicant was aware of this possibility <br />and had expressed little concern. Jay Kennedy discussed existing normal traffic <br />flow/patterns and advised that SEH predicted an additional 150-200 vehicles per <br />day. <br />Peter Coyle, Larkin Hoffman law firm, spoke on behalf of the applicant. He <br />advised all staff recommendations were acceptable; he stated this use was lower <br />end of scale for B-2 zone and felt it was an appropriate buffer for residential <br />area; that it would have minimal impact on residential area; that the property <br />values would not be diminished because of this use. <br />Steve Johnston, engineer for this project for NTB, advised he would work with <br />staff on all concerns with the site plan;Mr. Johnston discussed the rationale for <br />placement of trash containers on the site plan and advised further he could work <br />2 <br />