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Planning Commission Minutes December 12, 2006 Page 8 --------------------------- Commissioner Offerman reviewed design elements from the Elk Ridge Center Design Standards, such as cultural influenced, well-crafted, m;n;m;~ed vehicle movements, a clock tower with a visitors' plaza, ponds, no pylons, and anarts/crafts theme. He felt the proposal fell far short of what was anticipated. He stated that the proposed Aldi's building was a box building with awnings. Commissioner Offerman stated that if the design standards are overlooked, the development will not attract a Class I restaurant. He stated that if the type of development proposed for the Aldi's store continues, they will have completely lost the integrity of the development as originally proposed. He felt the Commission is only asking for changes in keeping with what has been approved. Commissioner Stevens stated that the design does include rock pillars, dark glass, and awnings from the PUD design standards. Commissioner Offerman stated that the design does not fit the literal interpretation of the standards and should be tenant-neutral. He stated that the PUD development was approved based on the narrative of what was presented. Chair Lemke agreed that he felt the Commission needs to base the standards on the text of the agreement. Mr. Leeseberg stated that he would like some direction fro the Commission on the design elements the Commission is looking for. Commissioner Ropp stated he was concerned with traffic circulation and that maybe this is the wrong type of store for this development. He stated the use may further degrade opportunities for a Class I restaurant. He suggested tabling the request for the applicant to provide further information on the building. Commissioner Scott stated that the types of businesses going into the development are not what was envisioned. So far, the businesses- a bank, daycare, Pearle Vision, are all destination stops, and are not the types of businesses people will come to spend time and wander through to shop. Mr. Leeseberg stated that the issue is what were the permitted uses and questioned if the Commission wanted to consider amending the PL?D and take out office spaces, or other types of uses they did not feel fit the development. Commissioner Scott asked if the uses were part of the conditional use pernut process or the PUD. Mr. Leeseberg stated uses are considered in both processes. Corrunissioner Scott stated that in retrospect, he wished they (the City) had given themselves more leverage to get what was envisioned and questioned what could be done about it now. It was his understanding that every use would come before them, and was concerned that the uses so far are not conducive to the casual shopper. John Polden asked if the City was opposed to Class I restaurant. Commissioner Scott stated that there has been a lot of activity on the City's part to make it happen. He stated that the Planning Commission's job is to make recommendations. He stated that they have heard the residents concerns. Commissioner Stevens suggested continuing the discussion on the elevations. Mr. Leeseberg reviewed the design elements of the proposal including wood timbers, awnings, Northwoods theme, raised height of structure in the middle, stone pillars, lighting. He felt the overall design looks good but some changes could be made to get back to the original design standards. Commissioner Offerman stated he felt the developer should go back to the original approved plan of having one building on this particular site that complies with the architectural theme which was also approved.