09-14-1998 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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#2404 Otten Brothers August 14,1998 Page 3 General Site Plan Review Permit activity since the original 1990-91 development of this property has been minimal, including occasional interior remodeling of the commercial tenant spaces, signage, landscape sprinkler systems and a thatched-roof gazebo. The current greenhouse proposal is the first site plan revision of a magnitude to require a commercial site plan review since initial development of the site. As a result, staff has conducted a site inspection widi the property owner and the Building Official, primarily to review how the site has changed and how it is being used. The original subdivision divided the site into Lot 1, on which all the buildings are located, and Lot 2 to the east which is used primarily for nursery materials and storage activities with no buildings. The only significant divergence from the initial site plan is the recent construction of a retaining wall system apparently within Outlot C (the future service road outlot) north of lot 2. This is addressed later in this memo. In comparing the current state of this site to the original approved site use and landscape plans, the site appears to be essentially in conformance with those plans. There are a few areas where screening shrubbery or trees have perhaps not thrived as well as anticipated to provide screening, such as adjacent to the truck parking area north of the production shed. There also are a few areas of outside storage that need ongoing attention or better screening; but in general the site is well kept and is not an eyesore by any means. The Public Works Department has commented that the storage activity does tend to occasionally hinder easy access to the City well house on Outlot B, and requests that applicant limit his activitv in this area to allow easy access to the City facility and not encroach onto the well site. It was noted that the City has yet to complete the improvements to Otten's driveway access to Willow Drive. This has been approved by the City and staff is attempting to get the contractor to complete this work. The recent construction of landscaping around the pylon signs along Highway 12 and Willow Drive has been reviewed by staff and we have concluded that this will be considered as incidental landscaping and will not require formal approval or permits. The portion flanking Highway 12 is under MnDCPs purview. Also, new brick light posts flanking the Highway 12 entrance to the site have been identified to the applicant as an issue because they are slightly less than the required 5' setback from the lot line, and applicant has agreed to move them to n.set the setback. Retaining Wall / Loading Dock The wall system recently constructed within Outlot C is intended to function as an open loading dock area. The wall construction is of manufactured landscaping blocks and therefore likely would not need engineering design even though sections are 5-6 feet in height. However, this work does