09-11-08 Planning Comm. Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES PLANNING COMMISSION SEPTEMBER 11, 2008 Knudsen asked about the percentage of drive-through business versus eat- in. Sparks estimated that 60% of the business is eat-in, while 40% is drive- through. He also reported that the Culvers hours would typically be 10:30 a.m. through 10:00 p.m. During the summer hours may be extended to 11:00 p.m. Knudsen pointed out the City Planner's and City Engineer's comments relative to the drive-through, drive-aisle, and turning radius. Sparks stated that during the busiest hours at the drive-through window, there would be 6 cars pulled ahead of the payment window waiting for their food. He reported that their goal is to deliver food within 200 seconds of the time a customer places their order. Knudsen asked if there would ever be 10 to 12 cars waiting. Sparks replied that there would when they first open the restaurant and staff is still inexperienced. Knudsen was concerned about a car getting queued in the line waiting for food delivery and not being able to exit. Sparks reported that as food is delivered, the cars would pull ahead in the line and would not be locked in. The City Planner indicated that the City Engineer is concerned about the turning radius relative to big hocks being able to maneuver. The Planner recommended that the applicant's engineer work with the City Engineer on this issue. The Planner also pointed out that cars that want to exit the site directly from the food delivery window would have adequate room to take a right turn and exit avoiding the food delivery line. The Planner felt that the waiting concept as proposed worked fine, the City Engineerjust wants to ensure that the turning radius works for large vehicles. Duray asked the size of the other Culvers locations. Sparks replied that Vadnais Heights has 120 seats and both St. Anthony and St. Paul have 160 seats. The restaurant being proposed would have 100 seats. Sparks presented pictures of what the exterior of the building would look like, noting that stone, cement board, and EIFS would be used. The front of the building would orient toward Rice Street and there would be a patio area between the building and Rice Street. The entrance to the restaurant would be located on the south side of the building, with the drive-through on the north. Hall expressed concern about the amount of development proposed on a 41,000 square foot site. Sparks indicated that the Vadnais Heights site is 48,000 square feet in size. That restaurant has 120 seats. This one would have 100 seats. Hall felt that the restaurant would be very busy and was concerned that there would be enough parking, etc. Sparks agreed that it would be very busy for the first month or so, but would then level off. -2-