04-17-2000 Planning Commission Minutes

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ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES FOR APRIL 17, 2000 • (#2567 Walfred Properties, Continued) again by the Planning Commission. The City Council expressed concerns relating to the size of the proposed building, which was approximately 12,000 square feet and required a total of 105 parking spaces on the property. The removal of the second story reduced the number of parking spaces required on the property to 60, which eliminated a total of 17 parking stalls outdoors and the 28 underground parking stalls. Removal of the second story results in a building consisting of approximately 11,900 square feet. Weinberger stated the benefits from reducing the total size of the building results in lower usage of the property, less traffic, and less hardcover. This property is located within the shoreland area, with the northern one-third and southern one-third of the property being located within 1,000 feet of the lakeshore. Variances are still necessary on this property with the revised proposal, although hardcover has been reduced and green space increased. Weinberger stated the second issue the City Council provided direction on was to revise the proposed trail on the property due to concerns expressed by the Park Commission. A trail was originally to connect Olive Avenue to Shadywood Road. The Park Commission had recommended consideration of a pedestrian trail between this property and the Culver's site. The benefit to a trail in this location is that it will provide a direct connection between the Olive neighborhood and the controlled intersection of Shadywood and Shoreline Drive, which provides a safer access than the northern entrance. The trail also requires construction of a retaining wall along the pond, with the height of the retaining wall being determined following submission of a grading plan for the site. Weinberger noted the height of the building is reduced from 30 feet to 23 feet for this site. Proposed • signage for this site does conform with City standards for the B-1 district, which allows 380 square feet. The Planning Commission at its March meeting had recommended that the proposed drug store use become a permitted or conditional use in the B-5 District. Variances are required to permit hardcover greater than 35 percent in the north 500-1000'shoreland setback and to permit greater than 35 percent hardcover in the south 500-1000' shoreland setback. A conditional use permit is required to allow grading within five feet of the property line. Tom Reinen stated they have attempted to address the concerns raised by the City Council and has revised their plans in accordance with their recommendations. Reinen stated the overall green space area has been increased by the elimination of 17 outdoor parking spaces. Reinen stated one issue that still needs to be addressed is the location of the bike/pedestrian path. With the elimination of the parking along the north/west part of the property, the green space in that area has been increased to 30 feet. Reinen stated they would like to locate the trail in that area as originally proposed since it would be a more pedestrian friendly area to work with than what they originally had. Hawn inquired whether the developer had considered relocating some of the parking area to the area where they are now proposing the bike trail to accommodate the recommendations of the Park Commission. Reinen stated they have not considered that option, with that area being considered as a buffer section between the residential area and the B-5 area. Lindquist inquired whether the grade of the proposed trail will still be 10 to 11 percent if constructed • on the northern part. Page 14