10-27-2021 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES CITY COUNCIL OCTOBER 27, 2021 PUBLIC HEARING — CONSIDER ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW & CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR A BANK DRIVE-THRU AT 2640 RICE STREET; APPLICANT: ROYAL CREDIT UNION The Community Development Director reported that Royal Credit Union has purchased the property at 2640 Rice Street, which was the former Gas-N-Go, and they plan to demolish the existing building and construct a new bank on the site. She explained that they have applied for a Conditional Use Permit to allow drive -through services, and an Architectural Review due to the site being located in the designated Rice Street commercial development area that recommends certain design guidelines. She reviewed the site plan and how it complies with the architectural guidelines. She noted they have removed the fuel tanks so far, and plan to demolish the building and begin sitework this winter, then start construction next spring. McGraw asked if they will have enough room for snow storage. The Community Development Director stated there is room on the boulevard and in the parking lot for snow. Keis asked how many employees they will have. Bryant Christenson, architect for the project, stated there will be about seven employees and there would not have any more than 15 people there at a time, so there will be room to store snow in the parking lot if needed. Keis stated he thought everything looked very good. McGraw clarified that both access driveways are enter and exit. The City Administrator noted that this parcel had one of the Welcome to Little Canada gateway signs on it, and asked the applicant if they would be opposed to having a gateway sign installed again. Mr. Christenson stated he did not think that Royal Credit Union would have a problem with a welcome sign being installed on the property. Torkelson asked if Ramsey County intends to put a sidewalk along Rice Street where the site plan shows right-of-way. The Community Development Director responded that the city wants the sidewalks extended all along Rice Street. Torkelson asked if the right-of-way has been acquired. The City Administrator explained that the applicant did not initially know about the sidewalk plan, so their site plan was modified to leave room for a sidewalk. Fischer commented he was thoroughly impressed with the design, and they did an incredible job getting a full banking layout using the small space. He welcomed Royal Credit Union to the city. There were no comments from the public. Upon motion by Fischer, seconded by McGraw, the public hearing was closed. Keis introduced the following resolution and moved its adoption: RESOL UTION NO. 2021-10-124 —APPROVE THE ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN REVIEW AND CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT TO ALLOW A DRIVE -THROUGH FOR A BANKAT 2640 RICE STREET, PID 072922220025 The foregoing resolution was duly seconded by Fischer. Ayes (5). Nays (0). Resolution declared adopted. 3