02-11-2016 Planning Commission Minutes

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MINUTES PLANNING COMMISSION FEBRUARY 11, 2016 building that would be 3,900 square feet. He noted the current Taco John's leases space for its parking lot, and the new proposal would re -plat the area and have all of the parking and building on one parcel. The City Planner reviewed the site plan which includes a drive-thru, and moves both the Rice Street and Country Drive accesses further away from the intersection. He noted that since the proposal is for a PUD, the city can be flexible on the zoning regulations. He stated the drive aisle for the drive- thru is a little too narrow, along with the aisle in front of the building, and noted that the City Engineer also indicated that he would like to see it wider. The City Planner stated it is shown to be 40 feet wide and the code requires it to be 44 feet wide, but he feels that 42 feet would functionally work since there is no parking in front of the building. He also stated that based on building size estimates, the parking amount shown does not meet the zoning code, but he would be willing to review information from the applicant showing that less parking is needed. He explained a cross parking agreement with the adjacent senior building could possibly work, but that due to the large difference in grade between the parcels, the applicant would need to build stairs between the parking areas. The City Planner stated staff believes the land use is appropriate and that the commercial use works with the land use plan for this area. He noted if the Planning Commission agrees that the plan is appropriate, it could be passed on to the City Council with the recommended conditions that are stated in the planners report. Duray asked about the turnaround that was mentioned in the engineers report. The City Planner clarified that it was referring to a little nook for the most north parking spot to back into to turn around. Davison asked if it had been taken into consideration that Taco John's maybe not need that many parking spaces since most of their business is likely done through the drive-thru. The City Planner replied he is waiting to get more information from Taco John's regarding their own parking requirements. Buesing asked if the lighting plan had been reviewed to make sure the lights would not shine into adjacent windows. The City Planner replied the city code requires that lights be hooded so they only shine down. Greg Johnson, Hearth Development, stated he contacted Taco John's corporate office to ask about their parking requirements. He explained their guideline is one parking space for every 150 square feet of dining space. He noted that over 50% of their business is done through the drive- thru. He stated they will need some additional parking spaces and want to have a cross easement with their adjacent senior building. He noted that the senior building will have a full underground parking garage and plenty of surface parking. Mr. Johnson stated they will shift the restaurant -2-