06-12-2014 Planning Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES PLANNING COMMISSION JUNE 12, 2014 lieu of two pylon signs. Applicant is requesting the current height be retained due to issues with visibility of the sign from the elevated freeway. o Add patio display area at the northeast corner of the building. o Replace existing landscaping with new plantings and irrigation. o Reduce number of access drives from three to two. The Planner noted that under a PUD District, the City must consider whether the improvements proposed to the site justify the flexibility that the City can allow relative to the signage and display. The Planner indicated that it was his position that the changes being proposed are significant enough to offset the concessions, and pointed out that the improvements would lead to a noticeable increase in retail traffic to the site and the community. The Planner did recommend some additional tree planting near the building wall as well as other areas of the site to soften the appearance of the property in general. Wayne Johanson, Hom Furniture, provided some history on the development and implementation of the Dock 86 concept in light of the recession that existed at the time. Johanson indicated that with the concept being proposed this evening, Hom is proposing to make this location the largest furniture store destination in the Twin Cities. With regard to the pylon sign, Johanson pointed out that the proposal is modeled after some new concepts that he saw on the west coast. He noted the proposal to retain only one pylon on the site and retain the existing pylon height given the need for visibility from the freeway. With regard to the display requests, Johansen indicated that each of the three stores have promotional schedules and the requests for temporary signage, searchlight display, inflatable displays, events, etc. would be shared among the three stores. Johanson indicated that the durations requested may not be used, but they wanted to establish a maximum limit that would provide them with flexibility into the future. Fischer noted that the request for outdoor events for 120 days over 30 events utilizes most weekends. Johanson noted that they typically run a tent sale 3 or 4 weeks during the year, and indicated that chances are they will never use the maximums being requested. Fischer commented that, at most, he has observed the parking lot A to % full. Johanson reported that the site has more parking than needed, and noted that the new format will eliminate the majority of the warehouse space, thus eliminating a good deal of warehouse traffic. Johanson also indicated that the door swings at their retail stores have decreased. Customers now shop on-line, and then come to the store to give the -6-