2015.01.22 PC Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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2. A front yard setback to be 2 feet from the south property line, where 10 feet is required by ordinance. 3. A parking lot setback to be 5.5 feet from the east property line, where 10 feet is required by ordinance. 4. The number of parking spaces to be 26 spaces, where 41 is required by ordinance. Planner Juba went over the site plan and concluded that since the sketch plan process, the applicant has made revisions to the site to address the comments from the Commissions and City Council. They have done a good job meeting the intent of the downtown plan and design guidelines. There are items listed in the site plan resolution that staff would like to continue working with the applicant on. Planner Juba described that it is in staff's opinion that the applicant meets all the requirements necessary to approve the site plan and variances and staff recommends approval of the site plan and variances, subject to the conditions listed in the attached resolutions. Staff recommends the Planning Commission discuss the site plan and variances, as well as, provide direction on the gateway element. Commissioner Arcand asked if the zoning verse the downtown guidelines are contradictory, especially related to building setbacks. Planner Juba stated that the C-1 zoning district has front setbacks and the front is defined as the area between the building and the road, so they have a setback of 10 feet. Within the downtown guideline, they want the building to orient to the road and anchor the corners. Planner Juba doesn't think they are necessarily contradictory, but to meet the intent of the design guidelines, there may be a variance request. Chair Gwynn invited the representatives from O'Reilly Auto Parts up to the podium to speak. Melissa Higbie, an architect from Estherly Schneider Architects, out of Springfield, Missouri. They are an independent architecture firm O'Reilly contracts. Ms. Higbie stated that they have been working directly with Planner Juba on a lot of conditions and design requirements for this project. Ms. Higbie stated that it's their opinion that they have met or exceeded the design standards. She asked for no more restrictions or conditions placed on the project, as they feel they have met the standards and that way the development can go forward as they still need to get permits and meet the construction time frame to build in the spring. Commissioner Arcand asked if O'Reilly has a minimum plan they have for the number of square footage they need for retail sales goals. Mark Wold, an O'Reilly representative, came to the podium and stated that there is a certain square footage you need to hit certain sales goals, to get a return on the investment of the building, and to have the proper design on the inside to accommodate racking. He stated that they've cut down the building size from the original proposal and are now at the minimum for needed space. He also stated that they would like the Planning Commission to consider what they have proposed.