PC Packet 05.19.17 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Planning Commission March 23, 2017 Page 3 Commissioner Lessard suggested looking into the low profile units. Commissioner Rosenquist agreed. Mr. Shaw stated that he would be willing to look into the low profile units and if they can be seen, he would propose to paint those units. Commissioner McRoberts stated he agreed that low profile units should be installed and asked the applicant if that is possible for this building. Mr. Shaw stated he would have to look into it to ensure they would work for a building this size. Commissioner Tjernlund asked the applicant if the largest unit would be air conditioning units. Mr. Shaw stated yes. Commissioner Tjernlund stated he has experience with those units and they are generally about 4 ft. tall and are relatively large units. He believed it would be difficult, without knowing the makes and models, to ensure those are screened from view. He stated that he is unsure, knowing how large those units would have to be for a factory, if raising the parapet wall a couple of feet would screen the equipment from view. He stated that it was his opinion, with the location of the building from the road and the surrounding properties, he would be willing to be somewhat flexible on screening. Juba stated that the resolution states that staff will continue to work with the applicant to ensure the rooftop units are adequately screened. She stated she didn't believe the Planning Commission has to get into the details of the units at this time. Juba described that she is relatively cautious of site distance illustrations because no one knows what the height of the units will be and what is installed could be different. She stated that staff would typically recommend raising the parapet height in order to screen the rooftop mechanical units, which has more of a certainty that the units will be adequately screened. She stated that it was up to the Planning Commission to recommend the applicant to raise the parapet or continue to work with staff on how the units will be screened in the future. Juba stated she would not recommend painting the units to match the color of the roof. She described that usually roof top equipment is painted a light grey to blend in better with the sky. Chair Kleissler asked if the applicant has looked into raising the parapet. Mr. Shaw stated they have looked into that, however, there is a substantial cost with doing so. Commissioner McRoberts asked how much cost would be associated with raising the parapet out of the total project cost. Joe Alstatt, Western Spring Owner, approached the podium. He stated the cost is significant to them and they are trying to make an investment into the community with the proposed building. He described this area as an industrial area and stated he doesn't want the project to get caught up on screening of these units. Commissioner Arcand stated that they have had projects in the past that have had minimal screening of the rooftop mechanical units, so just want to ensure this project complies with the intent of the guidelines.