7.3 SR 04-18-2022 - Laserfiche WebLink

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creates two dead -ended parking areas. One parking area will generally serve customers of the office building and one will generally serve employees for both uses — coffee shop and office uses. The drive through accommodates nine vehicles, which is greater than the five required per ordinance. The proposed use does eliminate a few parking spaces, but the updates identify additional spaces added south of the new drive through. Comprehensive Plan The Comprehensive Plan guides this area for Mixed -Uses and supports stand-alone commercial operations and reinvestment downtown Planning Commission One business owner spoke during the public hearing. She noted her support for new businesses in the downtown area but expressed concerns regarding traffic at the intersection of Lowell/10 and at the entrance to the new facility. She also questioned the overall benefit to downtown, expressing a desire for destination businesses that draw customers to the area and encourage them to patronize other businesses. The Commission expressed similar concerns related to traffic and parking, adding that the parking lot where the proposed business will go is very full in the evenings and during special events in downtown. After additional discussions regarding traffic, the Commission unanimously recommended approval and added a condition that a traffic study must be completed by the applicant prior to the City Council meeting. Traffic Study The completed traffic study was received on April 14, 2022, and was reviewed by the chief engineer who noted that the study confirms his initial conclusion that the project will not significantly impact traffic on adjacent streets. The highest peak hour traffic is 65 cars/hour — roughly one car per minute. The complete study is included as an attachment. The applicant also provided traffic counts for similar operations to provide clarity on parking demands. These types of coffee shops experience their highest traffic demands in the morning and see a significant decrease in the late afternoons and evening. This traffic demand is opposite of the adjacent wellness building which sees their largest parking demands after 5 p.m. Financial Impact None Mission/Policy/Goal ■ Work with citizens to achieve goals while responsibly growing ■ Support business growth and development. Attachments ■ Planning Commission Packet dated March 22, 2022 ■ Updated Plans and Response Letter dated April 13, 2022 ■ Traffic Study dated April 13, 2022 ■ Caribou Cabin Traffic Counts 0 Ordinance