08-11-1997 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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Request for Council Action continued Page 2 of 4 August 7, 1997 Zoning File #2267 Planning Commission Recommendation Planning Commission reviewed this application at their July 21st meeting and voted 4-2 to recommend denial. The motion for denial was based on what the Planning Commission perceived as unresolved safety concerns related to the northwesterly access of the restaurant. Members voting to deny also indicated a concern that this proposal seems premature as it does not coordinate with the development of the church site. Most members of the Planning Commission acknowledged O'Sullivan's need for an additional access to the Culver's site. Safety Issues I related Planning Commission's safety concerns to the building inspectors. They confirmed that the northwest building entrance configuration had been revised after the original approval resolution was adopted, such that the exit doorway opens to a sidewalk rather than directly in front of the drive-thru lane. At this point, their preliminary recommendation is to add an approximately 6' long length of railing along the sidewalk from the doorway, such that pedestrians will have the ability to see vehicles in the drive-thru lane before stepping off the sidewalk. The building inspectors question whether the "zebra striping" of a crosswalk in the middle of the parking lot will have any value if it is required. The inspectors noted, they have not yet formally approved the parking lot striping, although they are aware of the changes in orientation of stalls in the various parking areas that have occurred since the original plan approval. City Engineer Recommendation City Engineer Shawn Gustafson has questioned the location of the proposed entrance so near the intersection, and notes that this location will be a potential problem if the County ever creates a free right turn lane from westbound 15 to northbound 19 at this location. However, Hennepin County has submitted a letter indicating they will approve the proposed curb cut at the proposed location. The City Engineer would prefer to see this as a right-in/right-out access if it is approved, on the basis that it is nearer the intersection than we would prefer for having traffic exiting the site crossing to the southbound 19 lane. He also recommended that the church site ultimately be served with one access rather than two, which should probably be further north than the currently proposed Culver's access O'Sullivan notes that the traffic on 19 north of the intersection is much less than on the other three segments of the intersection.