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Memo to Board of Adjustments/V 98-4 <br /> April 28, 1998 <br /> Page 3 <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 there would be room enough for a 24 foot wide drive aisle and <br /> parking. <br /> The granting of the variance would allow a boulevard of between 24' 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 /> Options <br /> Staff has identified the following options for the Board's consideration: <br /> • Denial of the variance request based the finding that there is no hardship <br /> because there is room on the site to provide adequate parking without <br /> requiring a variance. <br /> • Approval of the variance with modifications to what the applicant <br /> proposed. The size of the variance could be minimized by altering the <br /> • proposed parking layout. Parking spaces should be laid out so they face <br /> the building and accessed provided via a one-way driveway. The amount <br /> of pavement in front of the building could be reduced from 42 feet to 32 <br /> feet. (See attached plan) <br /> • Approval of the variance as proposed. <br /> Related Issues <br /> As the Board is aware, the city is initiating a visioning process as part of the <br /> development of a downtown plan The Board may also wish to consider how <br /> this property fits in with their vision of downtown Elk River. <br /> Improvements to the parking area will require site plan review. Along with <br /> paving the parking area, curb and gutter will have to be provided per city <br /> ordinance. <br /> Recommendation <br /> Since there is adequate space on the site to provide enough parking spaces to <br /> meet the parking requirements without the need for a variance, staff finds it <br /> • difficult to support this variance request and offers the following finding to <br /> support denial of this request: <br /> \\elkriver\sys\shrdoc\planning\scott\v98-4.doc <br />