09-18-2000 Planning Commission Minutes

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING SEPTEMBER 18, 2000 • Nygard indicated he voted in opposition to the motion due to the number of unresolved issues that still need to be addressed on this application. (Recess taken from 9:20 p.m.—9:25 p.m.) PUBLIC HEARINGS,CONTINUED (#2) #2604 NARROWS SALOON—JAMES ANDERST,3380 SHORELINE DRIVE, CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT,9:25 p.m.— 10:07 p.m. The Certificate of Mailing and Affidavit of Publication were noted. James Anderst, Applicant,and Peter Johnson,Attorney-at-Law,were present. Weinberger stated this application was tabled at the last Planning Commission meeting due to the absence of the Applicant. The Applicant is requesting site plan review and conditional use permit for live entertainment. The City of Orono had issued a building permit to allow additional remodeling of the Narrows Saloon,which includes expansion of the bar into the former Minnetonka Photo space, now vacated. The property is located in the B-1 Retail Sales Business District in which a Class II Restaurant is defined as a restaurant which serves intoxicating liquor or has live entertainment. Expansion of the building requires the owner to obtain a conditional use permit since Class II Restaurants are allowed by conditional use permit. The City Council did vote to allow the remodeling to continue even though a conditional use permit should have been required before to expansion of the building. Weinberger indicated City files indicate no conditional use permit has ever been issued for a restaurant on this property,with the use requiring a conditional use permit since at least 1967. The B-1 Zoning District also requires that a commercial site plan review be completed prior to a building permit being issued. Weinberger stated the tavern use would be expanded into the former Photo Shop, increasing the floor area by approximately 1,000 square feet. The restrooms are being expanded to provide handicap accessibility. The site plan also indicates a stage that would be located in the southeast side of the building for live bands,with all use of the building being confined to inside the structure. The outdoor seating arrangement depicted on the plans is not proposed to be built for some time. Weinberger stated most of the parking for the Narrow's Saloon would use the Municipal lot located behind the building, with the area around the parking lot being zoned commercial. The City Code requirement for retail and service is one space for 150 square feet of floor area, with the total number of parking spaces that would be required being 154. The parking area contains approximately 90 spaces. The Public Services Director has recently reviewed the parking in the Navarre lot and has indicated the parking lot appears to be functioning adequately. Weinberger noted it is not possible to create new parking areas on the property,with some limited parking being available along Shoreline Drive. Weinberger stated the busiest hours • PAGE 16