PL PACKET 08202024 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

August 20th, 2024 Page 7 streets, this information should be provided by the applicant for further review and verification that the site can handle the possible traffic generated by the assembly use. Access. With the greater utilization of the parking lot, access to the site is at issue. Hennepin County is in the process of planning for changes to Kenzie Terrace, which currently shows two access points to this site, in addition to an existing access to Stinson Parkway on the west side of the site. Of the two driveways to Kenzie, the easterly of the two is aligned with the intersection to Lowry Avenue, south of Kenzie. The westerly of the two is just over 100 feet from the Lowry/Kenzie/Stinson intersection. This driveway access should be closed as a condition of PUD approval for this site plan and use (the removal of this driveway was also a condition of the prior multi-family PUD). Site and Landscaping Improvements. In regard to the parking lot area, staff strongly supports the “greening” of the parking area as an aspect of PUD review. For any PUD, the City should find that there are aspects of the project, such as site development amenities or other design factors, that help offset the City’s approval of flexibility from its base zoning standards. The green space in the amended site plan is both an aesthetic improvement, as well as an important environmental consideration in reducing impervious surface and the impact on stormwater runoff and quality. The landscape plan shows conceptual planting areas where green space would replace paved areas. The plan illustrates some planting in those new green spaces, again conceptually. The plan retains much of the perimeter green space around the property, although those areas would benefit from maintenance. As a part of any Final PUD plan for the amended PUD, the City should require a detailed landscape plan that identifies the type of planting and green spaces, and information relating to maintenance and retention of green space in the existing perimeter areas. The applicant identifies a conversion of the former bank drive-through area to an outdoor play area. The plan does not identify the proposed improvements in this area, such as ground surface materials or other aspects of the amenity. Given that it abuts an active driveway, it is expected that there will likely be some sort of separation between the play area and site traffic. Fencing or other aspects of this improvement should be identified as an aspect of the plan. Finally, given the recommended closing of the westerly access point noted above, additional green space would be created as an aspect of that change. This area should also be included in the landscape plan. Tax Base Considerations. Finally, it is important to add a note regarding the Commission’s discussions related to the interest in retaining tax base as a land use consideration. The applicants have suggested that as a part of the amended application, they would incorporate some taxable use into the building. It is also important to understand that for land use decisions, the City is not permitted to