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

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MINUTES PLANNING COMMISSION AUGUST 11, 2011 CUP — Robert Rimstad, Metro Transit, and Wayne Sicora, EVS, appeared NE CORNER before the Commission requesting approval of a Conditional Use OF RICE permit to allow a public regulated park and ride facility at the AND COUNTY northeast corner of Rice Street and County Road B. Rimstad ROAD B — described the site in question which consists of MN DOT highway METRO right -of -way. Vehicular access to the site will be via an entrance TRANSIT directly across from Cub's new County Road B access. There are 278 parking stalls proposed at this park and ride facility. Knudsen asked if most of the trees would be removed from the site and whether or not there would be a great deal of fill taken from the site. Rimstad reported that most of the trees will he removed, but there will be a replanting plan consistent with the City's tree replacement policy. He also indicated that there will be a lot of dirt removed from the site, although much of it will be used to fill in an existing low area. Sicora reported that the hill will be taken down. He also noted that based on soil borings a lot of the material on site is fill material. Sicora reported that, for the most part, the trees on site will be removed. The trees on the east side of the site, east of the vehicular entrance, will be retained for the most part. Knudsen asked when most activity will occur at the park and ride. Rimstad replied that most activity will occur during normal commuter hours, in the morning and later afternoon. Sicora described the various site plans showing that bus and vehicular traffic will occur in and out of the one access point across from the new Cub entrance. There will be a pedestrian crossing at the intersection of Rice and County Road B. A trail is proposed along the south side of County Road B, but not on the north side. Sicora then reviewed the grading plan reporting that 40,000 cubic yards of material will be removed from the site. A small retaining wall (5 to 8 feet) is proposed on the north side of the site, similar in style to the bridge abutments. On the east end of this site there will be a modular block wall installed as a buffer to the wetland to the east. Sicora reported that they are working with the Watershed to limit the encroachment into the wetland on the east as much as they can. Sicora described the drainage, noting that there is a central dry basin pond. Through the center of the parking lot there will be a median of trees and a way for storm water to enter the ground through this area. Storm water will collect in an underground system for treatment before -3-