09-13-2000 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Mounds View Planning Commission September 13, 2000 Special Meeting Page 7 Commissioner Thomas asked what is the probability once the site plan is approved the Commission will be asked to consider a different or further variance to change the numbers. Planner Ericson said whatever is decided tonight, there should be enough forethought into the process that a further variance request would not be necessary. Commissioner Thomas agreed and indicated she felt the Commission needed to take a better look at the numbers. Commissioner Johnson said he would like to see 16 parking spaces and feels anything larger than that is too many and smaller than that would not accommodate the businesses planned for the building. Commissioner Thomas indicated she would like to suggest the Commission go with the “one space per 200 square feet” ratio that would be within the 16 spaces and reduce the square footage of the building if needed to comply. Chairperson Peterson said Mounds View’s requirements are much more strict than other cities in the area. He suggested the plan proposed in the Staff report extended two feet back on each side achieves the 16 parking spots. He indicated he did not have a preference for what side the building is on. Planner Ericson indicated the only difference in the plans if the parking lot is next to Tom Thumb is a five-foot setback. If the building is next to Tom Thumb it requires a 10-foot setback and the difference on Greenfield Avenue is a 25-foot setback instead of a 30-foot setback. The curb cut is away from Tom Thumb but closer to Greenfield Avenue. Commissioner Thomas said if there is not enough parking there is no where for the overflow parking to go in the area which means there will be parking up and down the street in front of people’s houses. She stated she wants to make sure there is enough parking to accommodate the building. Commissioner Johnson said if they allow just enough parking for office space there is the potential that something else can come in at a later date with a higher volume of traffic and then there isn’t room to accommodate the parking for it. Commissioner Thomas said she agrees but thinks one space per 200 square feet of building is very common in the City and she sees no problem with it. Commissioner Johnson said the Staff report from last week indicated even with the square footage of the building as it is, there are limits to the type of tenants that will be able to use the building. Planner Ericson said the building is proposed to be 3,480 square feet which is a total foot print number not a total useable office space which is 2,950. He said if you round the number up to 3,000 leaseable square feet at one per 200, it figures out to be 15 parking stalls. If one more is added, they could lease an additional 200 square feet of office space and still comply.