12-11-08 Planning Comm. Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES PLANNING COMMISSION DECEMBER 11, 2008 (B-3). Gerberding reported that the site consists of 15.1 acres, of which 4.3 acres are buildable. The site is heavily wooded and there are significant elevation changes from Rice Street to the pond. Gerberding reported that the Comforts of Home building will be located along Rice Street and will have a 15,000 square foot footprint. It will be a two-story structure from Rice Street and three-stories from the back. With regard to the retail and commercial buildings, the retail building is proposed as two stories and will have a patio on the back facing the pond. The commercial building will be three stories. Gerberding felt that the entire mixed-use proposal will be complimentary do the Black Tern Office Park to the south and will have a similar residential feel. Knudsen asked about the mix of uses was determined. Gerberding indicated that they utilized the demographics of the area and felt that the commercial and retail uses would provide great synergy with the Comforts of Home building. He noted that the retail use may be a restaurant and would be convenient to the personnel and visitors to the Comforts of Home facility. The three buildings will have complimentary design elements, and Gerberding felt the proposal was a good use of the site. He noted the challenging topography of the site. Gerberding also felt that this development would inspire additional development of the area. Gerberding felt that the mixed-use proposal was consistent with the City's land use plans for the area. He felt the development would be a nice gateway to Little Canada from the north. He also noted the security advantages with amixed-use development given there are people in the area round the clock. The development will also result in job creation indicating that Comforts of Home will generate approximately 35 full and part-time jobs, the retail facility 25 full and part-time jobs, and the office building 80+ jobs. Gerberding noted that the project will add $IS million to the City's tax base. Gerberding reported that they will work with the City Engineer to address his recommendations. Brian Winges, Comforts of Home, noted their other locations in mixed-use environments and indicated that their projects works perfectly, including traffic. Gerberding reported that traffic is a concern with any mixed-use development, and indicated that they will work to manage traffic from both an external and internal standpoint. He noted the advantage to shared -6-