02-12-2004 Planning Comm. Minutes

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MINUTES PLANNING COMMISSION FEBRUARY 12, 2004 street. Mathern felt that having their building up against Market Place Drive would look out of place in this area. Mathern noted that Option #1 provides a middle ground between the City's redevelopment guide and having the primary entrances and parking visible to customers. Barraclough pointed out the need to keep driveway accesses away from Market Place Drive given the location of the transit hub. The City Planner pointed out that the City Engineer has recommended that access to the site be via Middle Street. Barraclough asked about potential redevelopment of the property to the west. The City Planner indicated that the concept proposed includes a series of buildings, including offices, a restaura~rt, and the possible relocation of the US Bank building. Barraclough pointed out that the redevelopment of the Rice Street/Little Canada Road area involves the properties located south of Market Place Drive, which includes this property. Keis felt that more people will access the Mendota Homes town office site from the south via Little Canada Road and Middle Street rather than Rice Street. That view would have easy visibility of the parking area. Barraclough stated that he liked a modified version of Option 2 that involves the four buildings. Barraclough pointed out that reducing the number of units would allow for parking requirements to be met. Mathern stated that they were not interested in losing units. She indicated that the project would not work if units are lost. Duray stated that he preferred Option 2 with less units so that parking requirements are met. Duray felt that Option 2 was the closest to the City's redevelopment guidelines and was a perfect example of how to meet the guidelines. Duray noted the Tacheny town office project and felt that project worked well and fit the redevelopment guide. Duray thought that the density of the Tacheny project had to be scaled down from what was first proposed. Duray felt that the City should only deviate from the redevelopment guide for parcels similar to the one that the Blacktern project is on. That property is a long, narrow parcel with no other way to lay it out. I{eis as]<ed about parking. The City Planner indicated that Option #2 is about 40 parking spaces short. The Planner noted that the City modified its parking requirement for town office projects utilizing a pure office standard that is less than the retail standards. However, concerns have been expressed at the Council level that the reduction that was made may -3-