06-09-2016 Planning Commission Minutes

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MINUTES PLANNING COMMISSION JUNE 9, 2016 through the drive-thru lane is approximately 40-50 vehicles per day, with the majority coming between 4:00-8:OOpm. He explained that he has the opportunity to get a good, stable anchor tenant, and that he has looked for quality tenants and turned away other less desirable businesses that would not fit into the neighborhood. He noted that the plans show extra landscaping and evergreens to buffer the neighbors to the north and east, and improving the lighting all around the building. Duray asked if the applicant owned the grass area where the turnaround area is proposed. Mr. Anderson stated that he did own this land, and he is open to moving the fence and removing some of the scrub brush if the neighbors want. The City Planner stated the original approved site plan showed a 25 foot landscape buffer, which currently appears to be exceeded. Duray asked what the hours of Little Caesar's would be. Mr. Anderson stated around 10am-I Ipm, seven days per week. Duray asked how long each car would be waiting in the drive-thru. Mr. Anderson stated that the drive-thru is only for the ready-made food, so cars are in and out in two to three minutes. Duray asked what the plan was for screening headlights. Mr. Anderson stated there would be different types of trees, and some are evergreen that would provide screening all year. Duray stated that residents of Rosewood Drive and Iona Lane submitted a petition tonight asking the Planning Commission and City Council to not allow a business with a drive thru at this site. He noted thatl 8 residents signed the petition. Duray read the petition publicly: To the Planning Commission and City Council of Little Canada: We, the undersigned petitioners and citizens of Little Canada, do respectfully ask that the Planning Commission and City Council do not act favorably on permitting any business establishment with a drive-thru at the building located at 2680-2688 Rice Street, in Little Canada. We are extremely concerned that issues with public safety and noise pollution will have an immediate impact on the neighboring residential properties, especially those on Rosewood Drive and Iona Lane that directly abuts against the Rice Street property. We fear that the encouragement of an exponential boost in vehicular traffic in what is now a parking lot would have a detrimental impact on not only the quality of life in our neighborhood but on our property values as well. The petitioners urge the members of both the Planning Commission and the City Council to give any construction proposal of this kind its utmost attention and scrutiny and vote in favor of safe neighborhoods. Don Durose, 103 Rosewood Drive, stated the lights will shine in his yard, and noise and garbage will impact him. Duray asked if the landscaping buffer would help. Mr. Durose replied no, there would still be noise.