PL PACKET 04182006 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

r Planning Commission Meeting Minutes March 21, 2006 Page 5 1 Vice Chair Hanson asked if S &T Development is the current owner of the property. Mr. 2 Thompson clarified that they are not the current owners but they have a written agreement with 3 the current owners. 4 5 Vice Chair Hanson asked what the square footage costs would be. Mr. Thompson stated that it 6 would be approximately $185.00 per square foot. 7 8 Vice Chair Hanson asked if there are any ADA requirements for elevator. Mr. Thompson stated 9 that there are no ADA requirements for an elevator. He assured the Commission that all access 10 doors would be ADA compliant adding that the only requirement was from the Fire Department 11 who asked for access to the lower level. 12 13 Chair Stromgren stated that his concern was with the building materials and the need to remain 14 consistent along the side of the building that is visible to the road. He expressed concerns 15 regarding the lap siding. Mr. Thompson stated that several of their projects utilize the lap siding 16 as a means of blending in with the residential homes in the area and reviewed the materials with 17 the Commission. 18 19 Roland Olson, 3820 McAllister Avenue Northeast, stated that he has lived in the apartment 20 building facing this property for over twenty years. He noted that he works in a neighboring 21 community as a Finance Director. He thanked Staff for notifying the renters about this hearing 22 noting that approximately 100 to 150 units would look out towards this particular development. 23 He stated that he is not opposed to the development but he is concerned that the proposed 24 building is not appropriate for the size the land. He reviewed the site plan and clarified his 25 understanding of the City Codes noting that if the project were a bit smaller in size there would 26 be no need for a parking variance. He shared his philosophies on granting a variance with the 27 Commission and expressed concerns that by granting this variance it could set a precedent for 28 future properties. 29 30 Mr. Olson referenced Chapter 1635.6 of the City Code and reviewed his understanding of the 31 criteria needed to establish undue hardships with the Commission. He stated that he was very 32 disturbed to see that there was nothing included in the site plan for a landscaping proposal. He 33 expressed concerns that all of the trees in this area could be removed noting that he does not see 34 where there is anything unique about this property or proposal that would create a hardship for 35 the developer. He questioned whether the owner created the circumstance that is creating the 36 need for the variance. He asked if there were any plans to create a buffer between the business 37 and residential areas. 38 39 Mr. Olson provided the Commission with pictorial examples of the area noting that there has 40 been little to no maintenance of the pond over the last year or two. He stated that he is very 41 concerned that this business would create more storm water runoff, which could become an issue 42 since the pond is already not maintained properly. He stated that the Commission has a very 43 tough decision to make and he acknowledged the need for the City to create a tax base noting that 44 he is not against the development but he would prefer to see it developed to the appropriate size 45 for the property.