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<br /> <br />12/15/2025 1 <br />Date: December 15, 2025 <br />To: Ben Harrington, City of Little Canada <br />From: JoNette Kuhnau, Kimley-Horn <br />Cc: Evan Owens-Ambrogio, Metro Transit <br /> Adam Smith, Metro Transit <br />Subject: G Line BRT North Operator Facility Setback Variance <br /> <br />The METRO G Line arterial bus rapid transit (BRT) project includes the construction of an <br />operator facility on Market Place Drive, adjacent to the northernmost station of the G Line. The <br />operator facility is proposed to be located on Market Place Drive on a parcel owned by the City <br />of Little Canada. The City would continue to own this parcel and the Metropolitan Council is <br />currently in the process of obtaining a permanent easement from the City for the building <br />footprint and utility connections. The G Line project is seeking a variance from the City of Little <br />Canada setback requirements for this structure to limit impacts to the existing City-owned <br />drainage pond on the parcel. <br />Code Requirements <br />The proposed parcel for the G Line North Operator Facility is located in Zoning District C -2 <br />Corridor Mixed District. The facility is considered to be a Governmental Building and is permitted <br />in the C-2 Corridor Mixed District. Per Table 905 -6 of the City of Little Canada Zoning Code, the <br />following setbacks are required for a Principal Building: <br />• Front: 10 feet <br />• Interior Side: 10 feet <br />• Corner Side: 10 feet <br />• Rear: 20 feet <br />• From R District: 30 feet <br />Building Design and Requested Variance <br />The proposed building provides an operator restroom and break area on the north end of the G <br />Line. The facility is strategically placed along Market Place Drive where the existing shoulder <br />provides sufficient width to allow bus layovers to occur without impeding vehicle traffic. <br />The existing parcel is primarily comprised of a drainage pond with 3:1 max imum slopes. The <br />design team has evaluated the proposed operator facility location, and due to the needed facility <br />size (approximately 17 feet by 37 feet), the structure will need to encroach into the north side of <br />the existing drainage pond. The proposed building location is parallel to the existing right-of-way <br />line with a two-foot setback from the north property line (see draft site plan attached to this <br />memo). The building is proposed to be oriented with the entrance towards the G Line station to