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ENGAGING PROCESS. COMPELLING SOLUTIONS. GENUINE PARTNER. <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />June 25, 2024 <br /> <br />Zack Carlton <br />Community Development Director <br />City of Elk River <br />13065 Orono Parkway <br />Elk River, MN 55330 <br /> <br />Dear Mr. Carlton, <br /> <br /> <br /> Heritage Millwork is requesting a variance to the required number of parking stalls for the <br />Warehouse/manufacturing use in the City Code. The requirement of one space for each 2,000 Sq Ft is greater than the <br />one space for each two employees on the major shift. This results in a parking requirement of 186 stalls for the <br />building. Heritage Millwork is proposing to meet this requirement through a combination of constructed stalls and <br />future proof-of-parking stalls to be constructed as needed in the future. We are providing 2 plans, one is the proposed <br />site plan showing constructed stalls and proof of parking for the current building, the second shows constructed and <br />proof of parking for Heritage’s proposed future expansion. Below is outlined how Heritage Millwork is proposing to <br />meet each of the 5 factors of the variance request. <br /> <br /> <br />(b1) The variance is in harmony with the general purpose and intent of the ordinance. <br />Response: The Civil Plan set shows that we meet the required 186 parking stalls with a <br />combination of constructed parking stalls (99) and proof of parking spaces (87). Due to the <br />standard operating procedures for this owner, they have determined that the 99 parking stalls <br />that are shown exceed the needs of the business factoring in all employees, visitor and delivery <br />traffic uses. Constructing only the 99 parking spaces allows the owner to preserve existing green <br />space and provide extra landscaping features that would otherwise be taken up with unused <br />impervious coverage. <br /> <br />(b2) The variance is consistent with the City of Elk River comprehensive plan. <br />Response: The Civil Plan set also includes a future building site plan that shows the owner’s future <br />intentions with a building expansion in relation to the provided parking spaces. The proposed <br />parking stalls and the proof of parking are shown to meet the needs of the expanded building <br />without changing the layout and use of the originally proposed parking areas. The proof of <br />parking spaces were laid out to show that future expansion or a change of ownership can activate <br />these additional parking spaces if the need arises and still meets the City parking requirements for <br />any related future use of this site. <br /> <br />(c1) The petitioner proposes to use the property in a reasonable manner not permitted by the zoning ordinance; <br />Response: Allowing the proof of parking areas to remain green space reduces the amount of <br />disturbed area for construction activity, it reduces the overall new impervious area of the <br />proposed project and future building expansion project and reduces the contribution to the <br />regional stormwater treatment areas built by the City for this site and its adjacent properties. This <br />will contribute to reduced maintenance costs and scheduling for the stormwater treatment <br />facilities as well as the owner’s duties on-site. <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />Page 13 of 22