2015.10.08 PC Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Bear stated that staff is comfortable with talking to the contractors about construction timing, phasing, and access to the site during the pre -constructions meeting before any activity starts. He described that in any project, the City generally discourages construction traffic driving on residential streets, but the streets are public and sometimes traffic is out of the City's control. Mr. Canniff, owner of Inter -Plant Sales located at 5212 130th St., approached the podium. He asked about the regularity of ambulances coming to the facility. Audrey McElwain, DigniCare representative, came to the podium. She stated that there will be emergencies on site, so she expects that there will be some ambulances, but at other facilities there is usually an ambulance every 6 months. She also stated that in some situations, they will call an ambulance in a non -emergency situation and they will come without their lights and alarm on. She added on that the majority of the residents in the facility will be on hospice, which means they don't call the ambulance for them any longer. Maurice Johnson, 12655 Fenway Ave., approached the podium. He stated that when Northern Pines was being built, they had temporary construction access off of TH 61 until they built the last two homes. He believes that it would be possible to put a temporary construction access on the property for this site and requests that staff looks into that. An audience member asked what the timing is on construction. Bear stated that if the plan is approved, it would go to the City Council in a couple of weeks. After that, there is still more work to be done in regards to getting approved construction plans. He stated that the applicant has indicated that they would like to start working on the site still this fall. Commissioner Rosenquist commented on Mr. Winges' previous development, Comforts of Home. He stated that he has never heard any issues about traffic to the site and believes City staff has a good handle on access roads for construction traffic. Commissioner McRoberts stated that he believes this is a difficult site. He commented that the facility doesn't seem like it will generate a lot of traffic and will be a relatively quiet place. His concerns were to provide an adequate buffer from the facility and the properties to the east and to avoid using Fenway Ave. as much as possible. Commissioner Knauss stated that she can understand people's concern for the 22 ft. rear yard setback, but that it seems like the 39 feet of dedicated right-of-way is a hardship imposed by public entities. She described that it wouldn't seem like there would be any flexibility asked for if that right-of-way wasn't required to be dedicated. She stated that because of this hardship imposed by another entity, flexibility on this ordinance would seem fair to make this site viable for a project like this. She also stated that she believed this project seemed good for this property and would provide a transition between TH 61 and the single family homes. Lastly, she stated that the applicant's previous project doesn't seem to have had any issues and has been well received by the community. Commissioner Knauss made a motion, Commissioner McRoberts seconded, to recommend approval for the rezoning of the site from R-3 to PUD. All Ayes. Motion carried. Abstained by Commissioner Lessard.