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Mounds View Plan Planning Commission April 19, 2000 Regular Meeting Page 3 accommodate a future expansion, and install a stormwater holding pond on the property. There is currently nothing on the site to accommodate the stormwater runoff, therefore, the addition of the stormwater holding pond is viewed as a significant improvement, and will help to protect the wetlands on the site. Planning Associate Ericson stated this item was discussed at the March 15 and April 5 Planning Commission meetings, during which, significant discussion was held regarding the impacts of the proposed expansion and the fact that two houses adjacent to the facility would be removed and replaced with the expanded parking lot. At the previous meeting, the Planning Commission requested the landscape plan be revised to include additional screening and plantings on the site to help mitigate this encroachment. Planning Associate Ericson advised that the landscape plan has been revised to indicate a row of four to five-foot tall arborvitae on the northeast side of the property to provide additional screening, and with the addition of trees at the south end of the site, the Planning Commission felt that the landscape plan was adequate and met with Code requirements. The City Forester has reviewed the revised landscape plan and has found that all of the proposed planting species are consistent with City soils and the climate of the area. Planning Associate Ericson stated the parking requirements are met with the proposal, both before and after the proposed expansion. He indicated that at one of the previous meetings, the Planning Commission briefly touched upon an issue pertaining to the proposed 30-foot tall light standards on the parking lot, which was brought forward by a resident located to the south of the subject property on Knollwood Drive. He explained that this resident commented that these light poles would be quite tall, and seemingly out of place in this residential neighborhood. Planning Associate Ericson indicated staff reviewed the issue and made reference to the lighting of the Wynnsong Theater located on Highway 10. He explained that residents south of the theater on County Road H2 successfully lobbied to have the parking lot lights nearest County Road H2 be no taller than 20 feet. Staff has spoken with the lighting engineer who indicated the height of the proposed light standards could be reduced, however, there would be some trade off in terms of the number of light standards that would be required to meet the lighting needs of the facility. Planning Associate Ericson stated it was staff’s contention that something must be done with regard to the lighting, as this is strictly a residential neighborhood. He explained that while the Church has been present at this site for a number of years, the proposed expansion of the parking lot would bring it closer to the other properties, and the new parking lot lights would create an encroachment into the nighttime calm and peace that the neighborhood currently enjoys. He advised that the resolution before the Planning Commission contains a stipulation that the lighting plan be revised to indicate that the light standards be 24 feet in height or less, with lesser intensity lumens than the presently proposed 400 watt bulbs. He explained that staff was not certain if it would be possible to lower the intensity of the lights, however, the height of the light