CCAgenda_03Jun25 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

FALCON HEIGHTS CITY COUNCIL MINUTES -2- June 11, 2003 Variance Request for Dino's Gyros (continued) Administrator Worthington said that after the Planning Commission meeting, staff received two amended site plans from Sherman and Associates, the second of which shows a front yard setback variance request of 14.25', and she utilized the overhead projector to illustrate and describe the new site plan. The lot coverage variance request has been eliminated because the new site plan shows green space of 33.63%. This site plan also eliminates the drive-through, which had been a concern of the residents in the immediate area. Consequently, a front yard setback variance of 14.25' is required for Dino's to meet front yard setback zoning requirements, but the lot coverage variance request has been withdrawn. There is an addition of one curb cut and it is believed this will help divert traffic to Snelling rather than through the neighborhood. Traffic projections will be the same as for an Embers type restaurant. Council member Lindstrom, Council liaison to the Planning Commission, said the Planning Commission recommended approval of the front yard setback variance. City code calls for a setback of 30', but there is only one business in Falcon Heights that conforms to the code. • When Parcels C and D go to Dino's, that will increase their front yard setback to over 50'. Administrator Worthington said their new front yard setback would be 68.25'. Council member Kuettel asked Administrator Worthington to illustrate the new setback on the overhead projector and she did so. Administrator Worthington said the City will be picking up the two parcels and they will be conveyed to Dino's in the fall. Council member Kuettel commented that the variance would almost be a temporary one. Council member Lamb said that the plan now shows that about 33.6% of the site will be green. How does that compare to Embers? Administrator Worthington said that 8% of the Embers site is green. Council member Lamb said that obviously today there is a situation where the alley comes into the frontage road. He asked how the new configuration would affect residents exiting west on the alley. Administrator Worthington. said. that it wouldn't affect their access. Mayor Gehrz asked Administrator Worthington who currently owns the Embers property. Administrator Worthington said that a private property owner owns it. An eviction notice has been served on the current tenant in the building. The Embers property has been sold to George Sherman. Mayor Gehrz said the owner of the property has the right to sell their property if they so choose. Dino's will be the new occupant in a new building. She said that she heard a lot of the residents say that they really like Dino's but are really concerned about the impact of the drive-through. Dino and his family, after listening to the concerns of the citizens and the City, have withdrawn their request for adrive-through. They have made a big financial sacrifice by doing so.