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Memo to Mayor and City Council/V 98-4 <br />May 18, 1998 <br />Page 3 <br /> <br />Staff has prepared an alternate plan (see attached plan) which provides the <br />following: <br /> <br />· 11 spaces in front of the building <br />· room for 19 spaces to the west of the building <br />· minimizes the size of the variance <br />· reduces the amount of pavement <br />· preserves the 4 mature tress along the highway <br /> <br />The property is unique in that it is long and narrow. The property is about 57 <br />feet deep which does not leave adequate space to provide both parking and a <br />drive aisle between the building and the front property line. The special and <br />unique circumstances relate to the property and are not a result of the <br />applicant's actions. <br /> <br />Most commercial strip centers have parking in front of the stores. Without <br />this variance the applicant would not be able to provide parking in front of <br />the stores. There would be enough space for a one-way drive aisle. With the <br />variance the applicant is proposing a 26 foot wide drive aisle and parking. <br /> <br />The granting of the variance would allow a boulevard of between 19' and 14' <br />between the edge of the pavement and the travel lane of the highway, which <br />is less than what is typically found. The applicant claims that the distance is <br />similar to other business along this section of Highway 10. <br /> <br />Board of Adiustment Meeting <br /> <br />At the April 28th Board of Adjustment meeting no one spoke at the public <br />hearing. The Board discussed the proposed parking lot layout and the <br />alternative put forward by staff. There was some concern about the front of <br />cars overhanging the sidewalk in front of the plaza. This could be addressed <br />by installing parking stops two feet from the edge of the sidewalk. There was <br />also discussion about the need for parking in front of the store. The Board <br />voted to approve the variance request with the condition that the parking <br />and drive aisle be installed as shown on the alternate plan. <br /> <br />Related Issues <br /> <br />As the Council is aware, the city is initiating a visioning process as part of <br />the development of a downtown plan. The Council may also wish to consider <br />how this property fits in with their vision of downtown Elk River. There are 4 <br />large mature oaks within the existing boulevard; the parking layout as <br />proposed by the applicant would eliminate all four of the trees. The alternate <br /> <br />\\elkriver\sys\shrdoc\planning\scott\v98-4cc.doc <br /> <br /> <br />