02-22-2016 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES CITY COUNCIL FEBRUARY 22, 2016 explained the project would include the removal of the existing Taco John's building and construction of a new building. He noted that this will also include the property shown as Outlot A on the Cardigan Ridge senior housing plat. The City Planner explained the property is zoned PUD and lies within District 2 of the city's land use plan. The Comprehensive Plan anticipates there would be a mixed use in this portion of the district. This proposal appears to be consistent with the general land use plan for the area, provided the site and building plans meet the city's expectation for PUD projects and the site in question. The City Planner explained the plan is to demolish the current 1,270 square foot Taco John's building and construction a larger two -tenant building that would be 3,900 square feet. He 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 explained that the proposed building has encroached into the Country Drive setback, but that is a reasonable request in this case. The City Planner stated the drive aisle for the drive-thru is 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. He stated that based on building size estimates, the parking amount shown does not meet the zoning code, but he is 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 a good access between the parking areas. The City Planner explained that parking for fast food restaurants is typically high. 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 as long as the parking supply can be addressed. He noted that a final review will be done for the PUD. Torkelson asked if there is any on -street parking available on Country Drive in case the parking lot is ever full. The City Administrator stated he doesn't think, Country Drive could accommodate any on -street parking. Torkelson noted he has never seen any of the area fast food restaurant parking lots be full. The City Planner stated that the actual parking need really depends on which restaurant it is, and most chain restaurants have extensive data on their parking needs. The City Planner stated that we do not want to approve a plan that is too short of parking so that in the future the building remains empty because of the parking shortage. Keis stated in the staff report it addresses future needs for right-of-way at the Rice Street and Country Drive intersection. The City Planner stated that a 2