Agenda Packets - 1998/12/28 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Building N Site Plan Planning Case 543-98 December 28, 1998 Page 2 The parking lot for this building is for the most part set back from Program Avenue by a minimum of ten feet, with the except for an area where the dedicated right-of-way jogs into the property. While the front yard parking lot setback for a building of this type in an industrial district would normally be 40 feet, because this is within an approved PUD and is zoned accordingly, the setbacks can deviate from the norm. The 1994-approved plans indicated the same front setback. Drainage Considerations: There is currently a Rice Creek Watershed District (RCWD) permit in force for the previously approved Building N development. Staff has forwarded a revised set of plans to the district office for their review. It is likely that the existing permit will need to be amended or a new permit will need to be obtained. The resolution will stipulate that this permit be obtained from RCWD prior to final approval. Parking: The site plans show a total of 344 parking stalls being provided for the building at a ratio of one space per 181 square feet of usable space . According to the parking ratios listed in Chapter 1121 of the City Code, office uses require 3 spaces plus 1 per 175 square feet of floor area and while warehouse uses require 8 spaces plus 1 per 500 square feet of floor area. The parking provided, according to these requirements, will be adequate to serve the building as long as office uses do not exceed 75 percent of the usable floor area of the building (the balance used as warehouse, storage or manufacturing.) The applicant has indicated that office uses are not expected to exceed this amount. Landscaping: The City Forester, Rick Wriskey, reviewed and approved the original landscape plans. Even though the current landscape plan indicates all of the same species and in the same general ratios and even exceeds the previous plan by an additional five plantings, staff asked the Mr. Wriskey to review the revised landscape plan in the event that any of the species have been recently found to be susceptible to disease or any other problems. He determined that the proposed landscaping plan was acceptable and appropriate. Public Safety: The access and drive aisles are in conformance with Fire Department requirements and standards. There are three entrances from Program Avenue to the site, two of which are 30 feet wide and are intended for truck traffic and the third, which would be for automobile traffic only, is 25 feet wide. Because of the angled loading bays at the rear of the building, truck traffic will enter only from the north driveway and exit only from the south driveway. There is 45 feet of impervious surface at the rear of the building to sufficiently accommodate the turning and maneuvering of the trucks. The City Engineer and Director of Public Works pointed out a possible problem with the south drive, in that it is less than twenty feet from the adjoining property's driveway, both of which are directly across the street from Clifton Drive. It was suggested that perhaps Clifton drive could be extended into the Building N site and the Mounds View Inn property to reduce the potential for traffic conflict. The applicant did not find this modification acceptable.