12/09/2002 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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APPROVED COUNCIL MINUTES DECEMBER 9, 2002 •1 construction of a full service car wash, a self-service car wash, and a quick lube facility (within a 2 single structure) upon a 1.6 acre site located west of Lake Drive between I -35W and Elm Street. 3 While the applicable LI, Light Industrial, district provisions do not specifically list car washes as a 4 permitted or conditional uses, the district does state that uses permitted in commercial zoning districts 5 shall be allowed within LI districts. As a result, the use will be treated as a conditional use and 6 processed accordingly. 7 8 Mr. Kirmis displayed a map of the area and noted the recommendation that the two lots comprised in 9 this project be legally combined. He stated that it is important to assure an understandable vehicular 10 circulation of the site. To accommodate the traffic movements, a counter -clockwise traffic circulation 11 system is being proposed. This will also eliminate cross -traffic movement. In addition, the applicant 12 attempted to define circulation routes through upright signage, directional signage, and pavement 13 signage. He noted the location of the landscape median to separate incoming and outgoing traffic. 14 15 With regard to circulation, Mr. Kirmis explained that staff has two minor concerns that are based on 16 inconvenience to the site, not public safety. He noted that as vehicles enter the site they enter a prep 17 area and make a U-turn into the car wash service area. He stated there is potential for congestion in 18 the by-pass lane. In addition, the self-service car wash will accommodate recreational vehicles but 19 given their length there may be conflict movements with the by-pass lane and the self-service facility. 20 However, generally speaking, the site works well. 21 22 Mr. Kirmis reviewed the architecture and proposed building materials. According to the Ordinance, • 23 the architectural appearance of the building may not be so dissimilar to the existing buildings or areas 24 as to cause impairment in property values or constitute a blighting influence. He noted the submitted 25 building elevations show the building is to be finished in a combination of colored rockface block, 26 face brick and stucco. He advised that these materials are consistent with the building material 27 requirements of the Ordinance. 28 29 Mr. Kirmis explained that although the proposed building materials satisfy the requirements of the 30 Ordinance, some concern exists in regard to the presentation of the building to Lake Drive As 31 proposed, the eastern facade of the building will consist of ten garage doors. To draw attention away 32 from the garage doors, the applicant has proposed landscaped medians in front of the building. Aside 33 from softening the appearance of the building to Lake Drive passersby, the landscape medians also 34 serve to channel traffic throughout the site. Mr. Kirmis advised that the Planning and Zoning Board 35 had questions on the color and noted they are shown on the colored rendering as being almond 36 colored stucco and Aztec clay and ebony rose rockface block. 37 38 Mr. Kirmis stated the landscape plan shows a variety of trees on the site, specifically mixtures of 39 Northwoods Red Maple and Hackberry trees along Lake Drive. Additionally, shrub plantings have 40 been proposed within the two medians (within the interior of the site) and clump grass at the 41 northwest corner of the building. 42 43 Mr. Kirmis advised that the grading and drainage plan has been submitted for review by the City 44 Engineer. One noteworthy concern related to drainage involves the handling of wastewater from the • 45 self -serve car wash. Especially about the potential dragging of water towards the site's egress point on 14