7.12. SR 01-23-1995 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

rei ---'\) ( )j ~Ii( ITEM 7.12. River MEMORANDUM TO: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL STEVEN B. ACH, CITY PLANNER-:I}j/L-- JANUARY 23,1995 SUBJECT: REQUEST TO OCCUPY AUTO MALL PRIOR TO COMPLETING IMPROVEMENTS TO CARSON STREET AND ON-SITE PARKING LOT FROM: DATE: BACKGROUND e On August 1, 1994, the City Council approved a Conditional Use Permit to Elk River Auto Mall L.L.C. to construct a 19,000 square foot auto mall at the north end of Carson Street. One of the conditions for approval was to widen the south end of Carson Street by including a right-hand turn lane. This improvement was recommended by Terry Maurer as a result of a traffic study prepared by Benshoof and Associates, Inc. The traffic study indicated that the additional commercial business along Carson Street would generate enough traffic to warrant certain improvements at the intersection of Carson and Main. Another condition of approval was that the improvements be "completed prior to occupancy of the proposed businesses". Mr. Weicht's request (see attached letter) is actually two-fold: (1) allow the businesses to open prior to Carson Street being completed; (2) allow the businesses to open without completing the paving of their parking area. As staff discussed this request, there was no recollection of commercial projects in the recent history that have been able to occupy a building and operate a business prior to completing all parking lot improvements. However, in this particular case, paving of the parking lot probably is less of a concern than the requested improvements to Carson Street. Mr. Weicht's request would allow the businesses to operate for approximately 1-1/2 to 2 months without Carson Street being completed. This is relatively a short period of time and on the surface may not present much of a problem. _ However, if the businesses open and begin generating the expected additional 13065 Orono Parkway · P.O. Box 490. Elk River, MN 55330. (612) 441-7420. Fax: (612) 441-7425