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Planning Commission Meeting Minutes -Wednesday, November 07, 2007 Page 6 including multi-family units, through installation of a six foot (6') wooden fence; efficiencies with 90-degree parking configuration, and future plans to make the entire parking lot contiguous over time; and proposed improvements for drainage and current water buildup at specific intersections (County Road B closest to residential area on the east) Megan Sunde advised that drainage was being addressed through installation of two (2) proposed catch basins to carry surface water to the underground system from that specific intersection. Additional discussion included current practice of illegal snow storage on the property adjacent to the apartment building on the east side, and capacity of the underground tanks to handle snow melt conditions. The applicant's engineer and Ms. Bloom both addressed drainage issues, with Ms. Bloom reviewing the overall area, pre-existing conditions; and ongoing work in redeveloping the entire drainage area (through recent improvements at Target and Cub Foods), thereby reducing peaks, and revised storm water drainage regulations from initial construction of the Mall. Denny Swanson advised that he would work with the civil engineer and architect regarding the current ponding issues, and work together to alleviate it. Mr. Swanson further noted that long-term snow storage would no long take place on the lot, but that it would be held in temporary piles for a maximum of 48 hours and then melted with portable equipment over the manholes leading into the drainage system. Chair Bakeman advised that the applicant needed to be aware of the City's recent Sign Ordinance and Master Plan for signs to ensure their compliance with the proposed improvements. Mr. Swanson assured Commissioners that he would review the Ordinance for compliance and update his records accordingly. Further discussion included the proposed restaurant use, without identifying the client; Internal traffic flow issues; the applicant's attempt, since their purchase of the property in February of 2007, to improve a 4-sided strip mall constructed in 1963 and make it viable in today's market; Commissioner's suggestion to the applicant for anchor tenants to pro- actively develop an overall traffic plan to improve safety and access capabilities for the best interests of their patrons; existence of a ring road at the Center, and potential efficiencies as improvements continue; and suggestions that the applicant work with other agencies (i.e., Mn/DOT, Ramsey County, Metropolitan Transit, and the City) to make the site more pedestrian friendly, safer, and to address other associated issues to improve the overall site. Discussion ensued, with other comments related to the green area setback requirements dictated along Snelling Avenue; improved mass transit options to and within the site; improved monitoring of the owners of debris on site and impacting adjacent properties; hours of operation for snow removal and/or melting equipment and impacts on adjacent residential properties; and verification through the Building Permit application process that no environmental issues exist on the Firestone site through soil testing. Public Comment Barb Swann, 1441 Eldridge Avenue Ms. Swann, as a resident just east of the eastern perimeter of the site, summarized her written comments to staff; and questioned if Har Mar was a good neighbor to the residential neighborhood, even though they tried to be a good neighbor to Har Mar. Ms. Swann expressed past experiences with the ownership's lack of receptiveness to neighborhood concerns; limited chain link fence and need to extend it; past experience with criminals and vandals; noise of the snow machine; location of snow piles south of apartments; and questioned the sincerity of the owners, and sought assurance that they would be a good neighbor.