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Planning Commission Minutes/Elk River Station June 26,2001 Page 10 5.9. Request by Elk River Station,LLP for Conditional Use Permit(Elk River Station),Public • Hearing— Case No. CU 01-08 Senior Planner Scott Harlicker stated that staff has been working with the applicants on the following issues: 1. Access to the site, future connection to the north, south and east. 2. Commercial/office locations 3. Senior housing/daycare center 4. Townhouses, expanding the amount of open space. 5. Apartments/community center 6. Pedestrian access/sidewalks 7. Landscaping 8. Park and Recreation Commission comments. 9. Grading and drainage. Len Pratt,co-applicant,introduced John Peterson,co-applicant,and the design team for this project. He explained that the project began last fall,about the same time the Northstar Corridor Development Authority (NCDA) began meeting with the City to discuss the commuter transit station and the MN/Dot Park and Ride facility. These outside influences have driven their request for approval of a residential,mixed-use community. Mr.Pratt stated that they are aware the City had very different plans for this area from what is being proposed.The project has been designed using guidelines of NCDA,as well as the City of Elk River. He felt that staff has done a good job of listening to them. Mr.Pratt stated that he has some experience in commercial development in a variety of cities including New Brighton. He stated that they are proposing a total of 80,000 square feet of commercial space for the Elk River Station project located in various buildings.He reviewed his project in the City of New Brighton which was done with Paul Sween and Chris Barnes of Dominium. Uses included insurance,mortgage,financial planning,and dental offices,as well as a restaurant, deli, coffee shop and dry-cleaning facility. He explained that the residential provides the critical mass for the services,and the services provide the rationale for the residential to live close together,and be able to walk or ride a bike,rather than having to drive. Mr.Pratt provided a summary of the densities for the various components of the project. Chair Pederson opened the public hearing. Director of Planning Michele McPherson explained to the residents present that a more formal presentation will be given by the developers at the July 24th meeting,but that if they had any questions or comments at this time,they are welcome to speak. Commissioner Mesich asked if all of the external parking spaces for the apartments are necessary, if they are proposing underground parking as well. He felt that there was a significant amount of asphalt being proposed. Paul Sween of Dominium explained that they have provided for a 2:1 ratio for parking,which is a community-based standard. The area will be buffered by some large mature trees. He explained that this project will be less dense than any of their other projects,due to the abundance of green space. Commissioner Mesich asked if they will be able to excavate and build the apartments without removing the existing trees. Mr.Sween stated that most of the trees will be preserved and new ones will • be planted,as well. He noted that they will be marking individual trees and siting buildings in order to preserve trees.