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Elk <br />Ri <br />ITEM 7.12. <br />MEMORANDUM <br />~er TO: Mayor and City Council <br />FROM: Steven B. Ach, City Planner-.,'d~~~'~,~" <br />DATE: February 27, 1995 <br />SUBJECT: Update on Site Plan Modifications <br />To Auto Mall, Case No. CU 94-11 <br />Issue <br />The developers of the Auto Mall at the north end of Carson Street are <br />requesting to modify their approved site plan by removing approximately 16 <br />to 19 pine trees and lowering the grade along Highway 169. <br />Analysis <br />The developer has recently approached staff with a request to make some <br />• modifications to the approved site plan by removing 16 to 19 trees and <br />lowering the grade along Highway 169 in front of the Auto Mall. <br />Modifications to development plans during the project are not uncommon and <br />are typically handled administratively unless they are a significant deviation <br />from the plans as presented to the Planning Commission and City Council. I <br />felt that the changes proposed by the developer were enough to at least <br />advise the Council prior to the work commencing. <br />First of all, a majority of the proposed grading and tree removal will be <br />occurring in MnDOT right-of--way. Therefore, a permit will be required from <br />MnDOT in order to proceed with the work. In the past, MnDOT has been <br />cooperative in allowing grading to occur. They have also allowed the removal <br />of trees, however, MnDOT will determine the value of the trees removed and <br />require the developer to make payment according to the determined amount. <br />The developers request to remove trees and lower the grade along the east <br />side of the property would help improve visibility of the site's signage and <br />also the visibility of the parking area. Apparently visibility from Highway <br />169 to actually see the parking area with the number of cars and overall <br />activity occurring at these businesses is important to attract customers. The <br />present grade along Highway 169 is approximately three to five feet higher <br />than the parking area. From a design standpoint, this grade "softens" the <br />appearance of the parking area and garage doors facing Highway 169. The <br />13065 Orono Parkway • P.O. Box 490 • Elk River, MN 55330 • (612) 441-7420 • Fax: (612) 441-7425 <br />