06-09-2003 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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#03-2889 Rivia Real Eitale June S, 2003 Page 9 Applicants are proposing an emergency driveway connection to the Orono Shopping Center site, r*.t' ir than a connection to Outlot D. Applicants have had discussions with the manager of the Ou;ic Shopping Center and have gained his general agreement to this connection, subject to no runoff additions to the OSC property. The City had not contemplated a full-time connection in earlier reviews of proposed development for lot 1. The ramifications of such a connection would require further review by staff and City consultants to determine whether such a connection should be approved. From a public safety standpoint, the connection is a positive feature. Existing Highway 12 will be turned overto Hennepin County when Highway 12 is relocated. Brown Road south of 12 will be realigned to create an intersection with existing 12 directly across from Brown Road North and a semaphore is intended be installed at that intersection. The schedule for iristallation of that stoplight is still being discussed with MnDOT, but it may be delayed until the realignment of South Brown is completed. The City’s traffic consultant reviewed the prior office proposal for a 23,000 office building and 70- unit Orono Woods Senior Housing building in November 2000. Based on standardized trip generation rates, a 70-unit building was expected to generate 120 trips in and 120 trips out per day on weekdays, less on weekends, where the medical office use as approved would be expected to generate 1 30-in/l 30-out weekdays and significantly less on weekends. Total trip generation would then have been 2S0-in/2S0-out on weekdays. The current proposal does not specifically contemplate medical office use, and it does not contemplate any retail use. Absent a further review by the City’s traffic engineer, staffbclieves the proposed oBice use will not significantly differ in traffic generation from the earlier reviewed uses. Pedestrian Access. Sidewalks are proposed to connect between the individual units and the parking lot, as well as a continuous service walk along the walkout side of the buildings, and a handicap ramp along the west side of the main lot. It would be appropriate to provide for pedestrian access connecting Orono Woods and the office complex sidewalks, as well as a connection to the existing sidewalks abutting Hwy 12. It was determined during the review of Orono Woods that walking trail connections to the northwest comer of the property had little value at this time because they would not connect to any existing or planned trail system. C. Landscaping Plan Develr^ment of this site will be subject to the B-6 standards for landscaping. The applicants have provided a revised landscaping plan. The plans have placed an emphasis on heavier planting at the comers of the property. The B-6 Code in referencing the B-1 Accessory Use standards, requires a screen (fence or compact evergreen hedge at least 6’ high) not less than S0% opaque be located along lot lines between coiiunercial uses and residential uses. Such screen might also take the form of a berm or retaining walls where parking lot is recessed.