1996 Planning Commission Packets

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Mounds View Planning Commissian Page 2 October 9, 1996 The obvious quesiion raised by tliis proposal is whether there is sufiicient parlc�ng on the site. Planning Case Nos. 46i-96 and 463-96 are concerned with this issue, and involve a request to use joint parking facilities between the restaurants and the retail uses on the property, and also a request for a variance in parking ratios. The staff report labeled Iiem #6A concems these two cases. The sign variance is being requested due io the City's plans to build a pedestrian bridge over Highway 10, The bridge is proposed io be located jusi north af the Highway 10/Long Lake Road intersection with a circular ramp in the area now occupied by a detention pond at the southeast corner o� the Mounds �Iiew Square property. The staff report labeled Item #6B reviews and comments on the variance request, Planning Case No. 4b2-96. Our recommendations are this poin� are summar�zed below: Staif Recam�endation on Cor�ditio�al Use P��°r�ai�: Favorabte, allowing for joint use of parl:ing facilities between uses in Mounds View Square such that the number of parking spaces required is 454. Staff l�.ecoanmendation.o� Par�ing Varia�c�: Favorable, with findings as noted above. In ;':j particuiar, the City's parking ratios create a hards]-up for shopping centers of ti�is size, and the - shopping center contains both nighttime and daytime uses which cause the parking demands to be offset. �taff I�ecommend�#io� o� Sig� �Iariance: Favorahle to some adjustment in sign ailowances to address the possible visual obstruction created by the constiuction of the bridge. The discussion session with the Planning Commission, however, wiil provide a good opportunity to explore som� altern�tives to the applzcant's proposal. The sign needs to better relate to its surroundings, and may not need to be as high as is proposed to gain visibility for the shopping cen#er or may need to be placed in a better location. If a variance were granted, staff is suggesting that it be made contingent on the constnaction of ihe bridge and field verification that the bridge has ciose to the same appearance as is shown in the visual simutation. Staff would also svg�est that the sign have a brick base which would tie it to the arciutectura of the center.