Laserfiche WebLink
MINUTES <br />PLANNING COMMISSION <br />FEBRUARY 11, 2016 <br />building slightly to give more room for the drive aisle, and there should be <br />no problem slightly widening the drive-thru. <br />Duray stated this would be a great project since this area is the gateway to <br />the city for people coming from the north. He asked Mr. Johnson if <br />Subway would be the other tenant. Mr. Johnson stated they have only had <br />tentative discussions with Subway, and he is hoping it will work since <br />their current space across I-694 in Shoreview is going to be demolished <br />this summer. Duray asked Mr. Johnson to talk about the retaining wall <br />that would separate the commercial building from the senior building. Mr. <br />Johnson explained the retaining wall would be fairly tall, and the City <br />Engineer has required some additional storm sewer work to accommodate <br />for this wall. He noted they are planning to install a taller curb and safety <br />rails along the retaining wall side of the parking lot, and possibly a fence. <br />Duray asked if anyone had gotten an opinion from the county about the <br />driveway locations since there are plans for improvements to the Rice <br />Street and I-694 area. Mr. Johnson stated he had received a preliminary <br />drawing from the county that showed a round -a -bout at the Rice Street and <br />Country Drive intersection, and that they have stayed out of the right-of- <br />way that would be needed for that design. He noted there is a small parcel <br />on the north side of Taco John's that is owned by someone else, and they <br />are not using that land. Schletty-Flores asked about the location of the <br />driveways, and if they are ok in relation to the other surrounding <br />restaurants. The City Planner replied the new access points are in better <br />locations than they are now, so it should not cause additional traffic <br />problems. <br />Duray asked if the county has given the city or developer any information <br />of future construction plans for this intersection. Mr. Johnson he has not <br />received any additional information. Davison stated that MNDOT will be <br />adding a third lane to I-694 this year from Rice Street to I -35W, and that <br />next year if the Rice Street interchange is reconstructed, the improvements <br />could go as far south as the Country Drive intersection. Buesing asked if <br />any traffic studies have been done in this area. He stated this <br />redevelopment project is a big improvement to the area, but he does not <br />want to make existing traffic problems worse. The City Planner explained <br />the overall design of an access is more important that the actual traffic <br />count. Duray stated this would be an improvement to the area, and there <br />are just a few issues that he thinks can be worked out. <br />Buesing recommended approval of the Planned Unit Development <br />application, subject to the conditions recommended by the City Engineer <br />and City Planner as outlined in his February 3, 2016 report. <br />-3- <br />