06-25-08 Council Agenda - Laserfiche WebLink

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NORTHWEST ASSOCIATED CONSULTANTS, INC. 4800 Olson Memorial Highway, Suite 202, Golden Valley, MN 55422 Telephone: 763.231 2555 Facsimile: 763.231 .2561 planners@nacplanning.com MEMORANDUM TO: Little Canada Planning Commission FROM: Stephen Grittman DATE: June 6, 2008 RE: Little Canada — Drywall Supply FILE NO: 758.09 — 08.11 RECEIVED 'JUN 09 7008 orrt OF L TILE CANAOr.' Background and Analysis Drywall supply is seeking an amendment to its Planned Unit Development approval to allow an expansion of its south building with metal exterior. As a part of the project, the applicant would propose to cover a portion of the north and east exteriors with fiber - cement board siding, and a "wainscot" base of what appears to be masonry material. The additions are intended to provide replacement storage area for the business that will be lost due to the sale and refurbishment of the northernmost former Knox sales building. The building additions consist of two extensions to the south from the south wall of the current building. Both of these additions are proposed to be covered with metal exteriors, but are not visible from the street. The new exterior improvements are envisioned to address those areas of the building that are most easily viewed from the public right of way (Country Drive). Building Materials. The City maintains a series of explicit building materials requirements for industrial buildings that require a masonry exterior in the Industrial zoning districts. When an existing metal building in those districts is proposed to be expanded, the ordinance permits an expansion of up to 25% of the floor area without upgrading the exterior materials. When applying the principles of the PUD section, the ordinance permits flexibility, but requires that the end result is a product of higher net standard that the basic ordinance minimum. In this case, the applicant is seeking an expansion that is approximately 60% of the existing floor area. The applicant suggests that none of the expansion area is visible from the street, and that by upgrading the exterior of the most visible surfaces, the intent of the ordinance is met. The applicant's plan addresses approximately 20% of the exterior surface of the building. The City will need to determine if this improvement is adequate to qualify under the PUD requirements of the ordinance.