07-08-10 Planning Comm. Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES PLANNING COMMISSION JULY 8, 2010 considerations were also a factor in driveway location, and putting the drive at the north end of the parking lot would also impact site drainage. Fischer asked how the proposed elevation of the site would blend with the surrounding properties. Politz replied that the site will blend better than it does now, but noted that the Subway building will he at an elevation 10 feet higher than the R. J. Marco building at 75 West Viking Drive. The City Planner indicated that the existing grade at the proposed driveway is 951 but will be lowered to 947. The building will be at 948. Viking Drive is at about 949. Politz reviewed the building facade in detail. He noted that this will be a single-user building. Knudsen asked if the building size was typical for a Subway. Politz replied that it is larger than the typical Subway in a ship mall setting, but a typical size for afree-standing Subway. Politz also noted that this Subway will have some patio seating. Everson asked if traffic estimates were done. Politz replied that they were not. Everson stated that his concern was with siting the driveway on the curve of Viking Drive. He noted the large amount of traffic in the Rice Street/Minnesota Avenue/Viking llrive a~•ea. Politz indicated that cars entering and exiting the Subway site will have a clear view of oncoming traffic on Viking Drive. Vehicles will not be swooping down a hill and turning into the Subway. Everson again expressed concern about the elevation and traffic visibility, indicating that without a side elevation, he could notjudge what the conditions would be. The City Plamier reviewed the site grades and again noted that existing grades will be lowered by approximately 4 feet. Pechmann noted that the grades show there will be an 8 foot drop from the end of the property to the driveway. The Planner agreed that the proposed driveway location was preferable than moving it further north. He indicated that if the driveway were further north on the site, there would be more difficuhy seeing h•affic heading up the hill The Planner felt there was rational for locating the driveway at the middle of the curve. Knudsen again questioned one drive versus two. The City Planner reported that he discussed this with the City Engineer and was informed that storm water at the south end of the parking lot would be an issue with a second driveway. The Planner also indicated that there would likely not be room to get a second driveway in and still meet slope requirements. The Planner pointed out that engineers like a flat acceleration approach to a driveway entrance. -2-