6.1C. SR 06-01-2015 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Background /Discussion On March 16, 2014, the Elk River Economic Development Authority and the City Council approved a purchase agreement, contingent upon approval of the CUP and rezoning applications. Staff met with the applicant and their team on March 24, 2015 and discussed several aspects of the project listed below: • Staff indicated that the property is currently zoned Business Park (BP) and that would be the baseline for the PUD and CUP requirements. • Staff expressed concern with the proposed front yard setback of 10 feet. The BP district requires 25' front yard setbacks for parking adjacent to Twin Lakes Road, a major north south corridor through the community. • Staff informed the applicant the ordinance requirements for landscaped islands and that all parking areas shall be bound with concrete curbing. • Screening of utility equipment was discussed • Staff discussed driveway width requirements and discussion followed regarding vacating 170th Circle. Staff directed the applicant to apply for a street vacation if they felt that was the best solution. Analysis Comprehensive Plan The Comprehensive Plan, approved by the City Council in May of 2014, guides the property with an underlying land use of Focused Area Study (FAST). The FAST is a small area plan, approved by the City Council in June of 2010, for the area surrounding the subject property. The FAST identifies the subject property area as Station Area Village. Station Area Village — FAST Excerpt The area immediately adjacent to the Northstar station is envisioned as vibrant mixed -use district. As intensification q1' development occurs over time, this district will include vertical mixed -use at the primary intersection to the transit station. Residential uses are envisioned north of the station on both sides of Twin Lakes Parkway and adjacent to the park and tide lot. Long term, housing could develop in conjunction with a parking strrecture as development intensifies and ridership increases. Oce is along Twin Lakes Parkway south of the transit station, with larger mid -rise building framing the street and smaller building further from Twin Lakes Parkway. The development is organitied to promote internal circulation for streets and drives and easy pedestrian navigation. Connections between sidewalks, trails and publicgatl.�ering places are vital to maintaining the success oj'commenial uses and attracting residents to the district. The character of Twin Lakes Parkway is distinctly urban throughout the entire district combining an attractive, comfortable streetscape, while still functioning as a collector roadway. The round -a -bout at the re- aligned intersection of 171 st and Twin Lakes Parkway facilitates the turning movements of the projected traffic volumes Along the street storefronts and business occupy the ground level, while amenities such as broad sidewalks and outdoorplatias with benches and landscaping and properly scaled lighting create a safe and comfortable environment for pedestrians Trails along the wetland edges tie to with sidewalks and outdoorplatias. On- street parking exists for small segments of Twin Lakes Parkway in, f ront of retail uses. In general, parking and laadirzg areas should be located internal to the larger development blocks utilitiing shared or district parking to maximitie development along the street frontage and further distance buildings from the rail line noise. In addition, extensive landscape buffers should be planted and maintained on both sides oj'the rail line for noise attenuation. A strategic approach for stormwater allows for building orientation toward both natural amenities arzd internal stormwater treatment ayitems, bringing increased value to development. N:\ Departments \(:oinmtinity llet-clopment \Planning \(:ase Files \(:UP \CU 15 -09 Morrell \CU 15 -08 sr I)Gdocx