04/19/2004 Planning Commission Minutes

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MONDAY, APRIL 19, 2004 6:00 o'clock p.m. (2. #04-2974 RELIANCE DEVELOPMENT COMPANY, LLP, "STONEBAY MARKETPLACE," NW QUADRANT HWY 12/WILLOW DRIVE, COMMERCIAL PUD DEVELOPMENT—Continued) Mr. Van Dell expressed their opinion that there is sufficient parking for retail as typically retail needs require only about 5 spaces/1000 s.f. and the plan exceeds that by providing 6.5 spaces/1000 s.f. She reported that detailed signage information will be submitted. With the gathering space being on MnDOT property, she stated she attempted to discuss that with MnDOT but was unsuccessful. The applicant will gather MnDOT feedback for the next Planning Commission meeting. Mr. John Trautz, Reliance Development, remarked that at this stage the applicant is looking for more feedback from the Planning Commission and hopefully all will be presented in final form at the next meeting. He offered to pass around a rendering with a different brick coloring than on previous renderings and asked the Planning Commission to look at it. Referring to the lot coverage issue, Mr. Trautz added that typically their experience is 5 parking spaces/1000 s.f. to prevent a sea of asphalt in front of buildings. He illustrated that when using the 5 spaces/1000 s.f. standard the site would need 144 parking spaces. They are proposing to construct 145 parking spaces plus the 17 proof-of-parking spaces and observed that 5 parking spaces/1000 s.f. is adequate for the potential retailers on the site. Mr. Trautz commented on the proposed two (2) ten foot (10') signs. The monument sign for Walgreens is proposed to be a static electronic reader board (no scrolling or flashing) to be changed weekly or whenever it would be changed that one time. He concluded by asking for comments from the Planning Commission. Chair Mabusth indicated that the Planning Commission will respond when they review the Issues to Address section of the staff report. Chair Mabusth asked for public comments. There were none. The Planning Commission was asked by Chair Mabusth to begin their deliberation of the Issues to Address,beginning with reviewing the list of allowable uses outlined on Exhibit F of the staff report. Chair Mabusth asked for clarification of the definition of'#7...laundry pick-up stations.' Gaffron responded this was from the original Code and probably dates back to the 1960's. Chair Mabusth wondered if this involves traffic, too; Gaffron said it did not necessarily mean a `drive-through' associated with the use. Further, Chair Mabusth asked if#13. `locksmith' and#15 `newsstands' would be a viable use in this type of retail space or should these uses be removed from the list. Again, Gaffron explained that the list goes back to the 1960's and reflects the B-1 District and now many of these uses are ancillary to another use so should be left on the list. Bremer concurred with Chair Mabusth's examples, remembering the Planning Commission has previously reviewed the list on three or four occasions. Chair Mabusth pointed out that if any use has a drive-up window it will be handled as a Conditional Use. Page 5 of 49