08-24-11 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES CITY COUNCIL AUGUST 24, 2011 their surface parking lot. The Planner noted that St. Jude received Concept Stage PUD earlier for both building improvements as well as a parking deck over the surface parking lot. The improvement phase before the council is to construct a portion of the parking deck over the south one -third of the surface parking lot. The deck will increase the number of parking spaces by approximately 100. The Planner noted that the top of the railing around the parking deck will be approximately 14 feet above the surface grade. The proposal is consistent with the Concept Stage PUD approval. The Planner noted that eventually St. Jude Medical will construct a building to the south of this parking structure, which will enclose this portion of the complex. The Planner indicated that staff recommends approval of the Development Stage PUD subject to a couple of comments relative to the control of lighting. He indicated that the railing around the parking structure will screen headlights from shining outward from the structure. The Planner indicated that when the existing light standards are moved to the parking deck, that St. Jude should make sure lighting from these standards is not spilling off the site. Blesener noted that the Planner recommended that a 4 -foot guard rail be installed around the parking structure deck, and the proposal is for a 42- inch high guard rail. Blesener asked if the 42 inches would be adequate. The Planner indicated that staff would work with St. Jude on this issue. Keis asked about handicapped parking. The Planner reported that it is just a matter of verifying that the number of handicapped parking spots meets code requirements. Ken Sheehan, Architectural Alliance, representing St. Jude, stated that the only clarification that was needed is that the parking deck will be only slightly above the existing grade of the property. This is because the surface parking will be pushed down somewhat. Therefore, the visual impact of the parking deck on the neighboring properties will be reduced. Blesener asked the status of the improvements that the Council approved last year. Sheehan reported that in December the Council approved a 20,000 square foot addition as well as an additional 52 parking spaces. These have not yet been constructed. Rather than adding these 52 spaces, St. Jude is proposing the parking deck that will add approximately 100 spaces. Sheehan noted that this will provide additional parking for both employees and customers. Blesener noted that it did not appear the parking would be visible from County Road B -2. Sheehan agreed: Blesener asked when construction 2