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

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MINUTES PLANNING COMMISSION DECEMBER 11, 2008 parking under this proposal given the complimentary uses proposed. Gerberding noted the City Planner's comments relative to access to the Taco John's site, and indicated that they are exploring ways to address this. Gerberding noted that one curb cut is proposed for the development on Rice Street and one on Country Drive. They will be working with Ramsey County as well as MN DOT to coordinate with their improvement plans for Rice Street. Gerberding noted that the County is planning aright-turn lane from Rice Street to Country Drive as well as a solid median along Rice Street. These will impact the Rice Street entrance to Comforts of Home. Duray noted that he is on the Rice Street Task Force and reported that they have been meeting for a year and a half planning the improvement of Rice Street. There will be medians installed along Rice Street, and the County is taking a strong position on locations in order to improve traffic flow along the street. Gerberding again stated that they will work with the County and MN DOT. With regard to parking, Gerberding noted the City's requirement for .5 parking spaces per assisted living unit. This would be 26 spaces for the 52 units proposed. Gerberding indicated that there are 18 parking spaces planned in fi•ont of the Comforts of Home building, and noted the opportunity for shared parking in this mixed use site. A total of 143 parking stalls ar•e planned for this development. The City Planner stated that given Comforts of Homes' description of the operation, he is less concerned about their parking demand from staff and visitors. He commented that parking is not a significant issue for the Comforts of Home component of the plan. For the remainder of the site the Planner pointed out that the parking proposed is at 71 % of what the Code requires. While this is likely reasonable under the shared parking arrangement, the Planner stated that if a restaurant is developed on the site, the parking demand will increase significantly. An additional 30 to 40 parking spaces would be necessary. The Planner indicated that one of the buildings would likely have to be eliminated or made quite a bit smaller. The Planner felt that this issue can be worked on as the project moves forward. Duray asked about the Taco John's facility, noting that if this is the gateway to Little Canada from the north, this building does not quite work under that concept. Frisbie sated that they are working with Taco John's on a couple of options. One would be to take out the existing building and incorporate Taco John's as an end cap of a retail building that may have up to four tenants. The -7-