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Mounds View Planning Commission March 15, 2000 Regular Meeting Page 10 Planning Associate Ericson indicated that staff is awaiting Rice Creek Watershed District approval of the drainage plan for the site. He explained that once the watershed district is comfortable regarding all of the drainage impacts, City staff, the City Engineer, and the Director of Public Works would also be comfortable with regard to the drainage proposal. Planning Associate Ericson stated at this time, no plans have been submitted in terms of landscaping on the site, and as indicated in the Staff Report, a significant number of trees and landscaping will be removed with this expansion proposal. He explained that staff has concerns that the overall character and environmental nature of this site will be drastically altered, and therefore, has requested the applicant submit a landscape plan, which he believed was available for presentation by the applicant at this time. He indicated the landscape plan would be reviewed by staff and the City Forester, and brought back before the Planning Commission for consideration at their next meeting. Planning Associate Ericson indicated another issue pertaining to the landscaping is the screening on the site. He indicated that the Church owns two homes, one adjacent to the site at 7225 Knollwood Drive, and one, adjacent and to the east of the site, at 2824 County Road H2. He stated these two homes would be removed to make room for the expansion, and the Church parking lot would then be shifted down into these lots. Planning Associate Ericson stated staff has been contacted by residents adjacent to the site, specifically, the property owner at 2816 County Road H2, whose property, after the removal of the house on County Road H2, will be 40 feet from the parking lot. He explained that this resident was unable to attend the meeting, however, would submit a letter expressing his concerns for Planning Commission consideration at the next meeting. He explained that this property owner indicated he would be much more comfortable with the proposed expansion if some type of privacy fencing were to be installed. Planning Associate Ericson stated it was within the purview of the Planning Commission to make a recommendation to this effect, adding that with an appropriate landscaping plan and some screening, staff would be comfortable that the concerns of the residents on the abutting properties would be addressed. Planning Associate Ericson advised that there was some concern with regard to the lighting, and staff has requested a photometric analysis of the site. He explained that while this analysis was not available at the time the report was prepared, Staff received a copy of the analysis afterwards, and finds it to be consistent with the City Code. He stated the lighting specifications indicate the lights will be hooded and shielded from direct view so there would be no issues with regard to glare, and the proposed light fixtures would be a decorative residential type of light. Planning Associate Ericson stated the Church currently has six access points, with three curb cuts on County Road H2 and three on Knollwood Drive. After the construction, the number of access points would be reduced to five. He indicated staff has reviewed this matter with the Director of Public Works, and in terms of access and circulation, this appears to be acceptable.