PL MINUTES 06181996 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Planning Commission Regular Meeting Minutes • June 18, 1996 Page 6 1 Ms. Moore-Sykes reported Staff is recommending that the variance for the gas pump island 2 canopy as requested by Roger Bona, owner of Unocal 76 be approved. Staffs recommendation 3 is partly based upon earlier canopy variance approvals and that this request also demonstrated 4 similar hardships to those discussed by the City Attorney. These hardships include the cost of 5. moving the gas pumps, fuel storage tanks, and accessory equipment; public perception the gas 6 pumps are not working or are obsolete; and canopies are considered by the industry as standard 7 operating practice. These issues were reflected in their application letter as well. 8 Ms. Moore-Sykes reported Mr. Bona is also requesting a 10 foot variance to park in the front 9 yard parking setback along Kenzie Terrace. They are_proposing that this area be restricted to 10 temporary parking only for the purpose of parking cars scheduled for repair. 11 Mr. Bona is proposing an expansion of 5,613 square feet, that will require an additional 19 12 parking spaces. His site plan shows 21 parking spaces on site and two of these parking spaces 13 are in the front yard setback. The old meat market building will be demolished to make way for 14 a portion of the proposed on-site parking. 15 The application letter indicates that the intention is to park only to the property line, leaving the 16 remaining bituminous surface available for a sidewalk. Again,they are basing their arguement upon the apparent precedent of the surrounding area. As Mr. Finneman states in the application 0 . letter, the area has developed a"historical dependence" on using the parking setback of their 19 property for parking and driveways. 20 The City Council has also approved a similar request for Phillips 66. At the same time that the 21 canopy variance was granted to the Phillips 66 service station, Staff also recommended that they 22 be allowed to have a variance to 0 feet for the purpose of providing limited parking to the _ 23 property line. 24 Mr. Moore-Sykes stated Staff is recommending approval of this variance request. Due-to the 25 irregular shape of the property and the nature of their business, the applicant feels it necessary to 26 keep temporary parking on-site. They have purchased property adjacent to the Unocal 76 service 27 station which is being planned for employee and overflow parking. Only the parking on-site will 28 be used for vehicles scheduled for maintenance and repair. As the application lettter states,they 29 considered landscaping the setback, but determined that this effort would be futile because of the 30 snow, ice and salt placed there in the winter from plowing. A more appropriate use was for 31 temporary parking. They will enhance the landscaping at the front of the building to compensate 32 for the amount of parking that is necessary for the conduct of business. 33 Mr. Dan Dege Finns-Daniels Architect, explained that the landscaping on the site would be 34 enhanced as a result of the setback variance. He explained the new canopy will be small and the height and color will match the existing canopy. There will be no signage or illumination on the canopy.