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Planning Commission Report TOLD Development Co. Case#507-97 January 14, 1998 Page 2 (4) The character of the surrounding area. (5) The demonstrated need for such use. Background: The applicant is requesting a comprehensive plan amendment and a rezoning for properties located at 2625 Highway 10, and 7715 - 7761 Eastwood Road to allow for the construction of a Walgreens Drug Store. The property fronting Highway 10 is owned by the City of Mounds View while the four single-family properties on Eastwood Road are under separate ownership. TOLD ' Development Co. has purchase agreements in force for each of the properties. Also required would be a major subdivision and a development review as well as a vacation of that part of Eastwood Road bisecting these parcels being replaced with a cul-de-sac. The area of proposed development covers approximately 3.88 acres, including the Eastwood Road right of way. The current zoning is split with the City-owned parcel zoned R-3, Medium Density Residential and the parcels on Eastwood Road zoned R-1, Single-Family Residential. The proposed zoning is B-2, Neighborhood Commercial, which would allow the above-described use or similar uses such as a financial institution, office building, floral shop, hardware store or off-sale liquor sales. Planning Commission Action: The Planning Commission, at its meeting on April 15, 1998, voted to recommend approval of the comprehensive plan and rezoning request to the City Council. The proposal had been discussed at five previous Planning Commission meetings as well as two informal neighborhood meetings before an application was even submitted. The Planning Commission vote on this issue was split 4 - 3. Analysis: A. Comprehensive Plan Amendment Background: The Comprehensive Plan divided the City into 12 planning districts, and included a map showing proposed land use for each district. The subject properties are located in District 6. A copy of this map and the text which accompanied the map is attached to this report. The Comprehensive Plan indicates that the undeveloped, City-owned parcel should be developed as high density residential, which the plan indicates is 7 or more units per acre. At 1.58 acres, the vacant lot could support a multi-level apartment building although the likelihood of this is minimal due to site constraints and lack of access. The single-family residences on Eastwood are designated as low-density residential in the Comprehensive Plan. Issues: The question before the City Council is whether the Comprehensive Plan, which is intended to guide future development of the City, should be amended to change the expectations for the subject properties to allow for a commercial use in a residential area. The applicant will point out that this location, at the corner of Highway 10 and County Road I, is one of the busiest