7.3. SR 03-19-2012 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Case File: CU 12-03 Elk River Lutheran Conditional Use Permit Page 4 Parking. Typically, the biggest concern with regard to placement of a church In an existing neighborhood is the issue of parking and traffic. An inadequate supply of parking or traffic routes increases impacts on the adjacent properties, often residential parcels. Parking for a church use is based on the design capacity of the main area. The church seats 365 persons. The parking requirement is 1 space per three seats. For this church, the requirement is 122 parking spaces. There are not 122 parking spaces on site. It is not unusual for a church moving into an existing neighborhood to fail to meet the parking demand. A recent example, in 2007, Holy Trinity did not meet the requirement. The Council accepted over flow parking among the neighboring streets. The other 8 churches in the last five years met the parking requirement, including Wat Thai and the Crossing Church. To satisfy the parking requirements, the church proposes: 22 parking spaces more or less on the subject parcel 45 parking spaces by written agreement with Dare Funeral Home. This lot is immediately to the west. 37 parking spaces by agreement with 1st National Bank at their main office. (Northwest of the site.) 24 parking spaces 15Y National Bank owns as part of the King Avenue parking lot. 128 parking spaces It should be noted that the spaces on the 1St National Bank site are northwest of that building, and likely not visible from the proposed church. Parking spaces are more likely to be used if they are visible to the destination, although in a downtown environment this perceptual requirement decreases. The peak time for the church is typically Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings, although this varies based on the individual programs offered by the use. The peak times for the church are expected to differ from the peak times of 1st National Bank and Dares. In addition to .the spaces identified by agreement, there are 196 public parking spaces in the King Avenue lot and the riverfront lot. This does not include a number of on-street spaces. The church believes that their peak time will not conflict with the peak time of the adjacent businesses. The number of handicapped spaces is based on the total number of spaces required, for the church is it 5 handicapped spaces. Three are shown on site, the church requests that the City designate two parking stalls on Main street for mobility impaired parking. This would create 5 spaces. This would require the modification of the curb on main street. Staff recommends that the additional spaces be provided in the back of the building. This will result in the loss of one space, for a access ramp. Si~nage. The church proposes two signs, plus two crosses. The signs are proposed for the northeast side of the new addition (capturing west bound Main Street traffic) and the east side of the existing building (facing the existing public parking lot.) Due to the density of the downtown area and visual overload, signage requirements in the downtown are not the same as in highway business areas. Though no revised plans have been submitted, the applicant proposes a 22 sq ft sign and a 10 sq ft sign. These signs meet the requirements. The strict application of the sign defuiition could include classifying the crosses as signs, although in the past, the City has not done so. Sidewalks/ Trails. The City has requested a river trail along the back of the curb to facilitate the `riverside' trail found on the comprehensive trail plan. The applicant has agreed to work with the City on this; staff suggests a condition to that effect. N:\Departments\Community Development\Planning\Case FIles\CUP\CU 12-03 Elk River Lutheran\CU 12-03 Elk River Lutheran Church Main street 3-13-12.docx