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Mounds View Planning Commission August 15, 2001 Regular Meeting Page 3 ______________________________________________________________________________________ location of the two access points in relation to each other. There is a straight route from one to the other which may encourage cut-through traffic from Eastwood Road to County Highway 10. A more indirect route through the parking lot may discourage cut-through traffic or at least minimize the speed of this type of traffic. Planning Associate Atkinson noted the building elevation drawings depict the location of light fixtures on the exterior of the proposed building. The site plan, however, does not show any other lighting on the site. He advised the City Code does not require lighting in parking areas, but it may be beneficial if the proposed lighting on the structure does not adequately provide light for the parking areas. Planning Associate Atkinson stated Staff would recommend that if parking lot lighting is utilized, either through the proposed building lights or additional parking lot lights, that it be consistent with the City Code pertaining to lighting and glare. He suggested the applicant be asked to address the issue of lighting. Planning Associate Atkinson explained the site currently has a low-lying area that catches runoff from adjacent properties, mainly from the southern portion of the Silver Lake Commons apartments. Development of the site will alter the current flow of water, so it is imperative that a proper drainage system be put in place to handle additional water runoff from the increased impervious surfaces as well as existing runoff from adjacent properties. Planning Associate Atkinson advised that according to the grading plan, the site will continue to provide a water detention pond at the southernmost portion of the property. The parking lot is shown to be constructed with a slight slope to drain stormwater away from the building and into areas of pervious green space and the pond on the site which is encouraged by Rice Creek Watershed District and consistent with its “best management practices” philosophy. The parking lot is equipped with a spillway to allow water to flow to the pond without being impeded by the curb along the perimeter of the parking area. Water from the Silver Lake Commons will likely run along the common property line to areas of pervious green space along Highway 10, given the grading of the area immediately north of the proposed building. Rice Creek Watershed District does not need to review this development as it falls well below the minimum acreage threshold. Planning Associate Atkinson pointed out that according to the proposed site plan, several mature trees will be removed. The applicants, however, have indicated that they will save all remaining trees that are not located in the proposed parking areas or building footprint, which would be approximately sixteen (16) mature trees. The applicants will also be adding ten (10) potentialla shrubs around the perimeter of the structure and six (6) Hosta shrubs around the base of the proposed sign located along County Highway 10. Planning Associate Atkinson reviewed Chapter 1121.09, Subd. 12 of the Zoning Code, which addresses the screening of parking lots that abut residential property. He noted the property line adjacent to the Silver Lake Commons is proposed to contain six (6) parking spaces, which would require compliance with this provision. He explained the City Code allows two (2) options for screening: a fence, which must comply with the provisions established in Section 1103.08; or, a greenbelt planting strip, which must comply with Section 1103.08 Subd. 6(a). He noted that the apartments do have a fence along the property which meets Code requirements. While staff