6.7. SR 02-17-1998ity of
River
MEMORANDUM
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
SUBJECT:
Item # 6. ?.
Mayor and City Council
Ach, City Planner~~
Steve
February 17, 1998
Conditional Use Permit Request by
Elk River Shopping Center, Public
Hearing Case No. CU 97-29
Request
Elk River Shopping Center is requesting a conditional use permit to expand
the Elk River Theater from 10 to 18 movie screens.
Location
Lot 1, Block 1, Elk River Plaza.
Zoning/Land Use
PUD (Planned Unit Development) / HB (Highway Business)
Attachments
· Report to the Planning Commission dated November 25, 1997
Overview
The Elk River Theaters have recently been sold to the Marcus Group which
delayed action on this conditional use permit. Last week I received notice
from Robert Guetshoff, President of Guetshoff Theaters, Inc. that they are
ready to move forward with their expansion plans.
The theater's expansion will extend into the space previously occupied by
Pamida. Approximately 26,000 square feet will be remodeled for the theaters
purposes to expand and add an additional eight screens. The balance of the
Pamida space will be leased to a fitness club (The Gym). All of the theater's
expansion will involve interior remodeling with no exterior improvements.
\\elkriver\sys\shrdoc\council\cu97-29.doc
13065 Orono Parkway · P.O. Box 490 · Elk River, MN 55330 · TDD & Phone: (612) 441-7420 · Fax: (612) 441-7425
Memo to Mayor and City CounciYCU 97-29
February 17, 1998
Page 2
The specifics of the interior remodeling have not been presented to staff.
However, based on conversations with Larry Leitschuh of Scherer Brothers
(owners of the mall), stadium style seating is expected, along with special
seating options such as oversized seats. The total number of screens is still
expected to be 18. The new owners are still in the process of finalizing the
details; however, would like to receive Council action so they can proceed as
quickly as possible.
Parking
Four years ago when Guetshoff Theaters came before the Planning
Commission and City Council to expand the theater complex from five to ten
screens, a complete parking analysis was done of the shopping center. With
the additional parking stalls developed, the Elk River Shopping Center met
all of the city parking requirements. The city ordinance requires movie
theaters to have one parking stall for every four seats. Based on the ten
screens, seating capacity of 1700 was planned for and parking requirements
calculated based on these numbers. The additional eight screens may bring
on an additional 1500 seats requiring 375 additional parking stalls.
Therefore, 3200 seats would require 800 parking stalls for just the movie
theater. The following is a general breakdown of space available at the mall
and required parking:
Space
· County Market - 38,645 s.f.
· Retail Bays - 27,051 s.f.
· Theater- 3200 seats
· Gym/Health Club - 12,000 s.f.
Total Required
# Provided
# Needed
Required Parking
155 spaces
108 spaces
800 spaces
40 spaces
1103 spaces
870 ~paces
233 spaces
By converting the space in the mall from retail purposes to that of a theater,
there is a reduction in the number of parking stalls required. With the
County Market space presently vacant, parking at the shopping center
should not pose a problem in the interim. However, as the mall begins to fill
its vacant space, the management of parking amongst the tenants will
become more critical. The key with filling the space within the mall will be
to introduce the appropriate mix of tenants with different parking demands,
allowing the limited number of parking stalls to satisfy the entire shopping
center.
According to the new owner of the theaters, they expect a reduction of about
10% for parking needs when the theater is completed. The specifics of why
\\elkriver\sys\shrdoc\council\cu97-29.doc
Memo to Mayor and City Council/CU 97-29
February 17, 1998
Page 3
this may occur has not been obtained.
for the Council Tuesday night.
Staff hopes to have more information
Si~nage
The theater is proposing to add two to three additional signs on the building
elevation facing Highway 169. These cabinet signs will be similar to those
signs presently in place to advertise movies that are showing at the theater.
There is no additional signage proposed for the west elevation of the building.
Planning Commission Recommendation
The Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval of the
conditional use permit for Elk River Shopping Center to expand the Elk River
Theaters.
Recommendation
It is recommended the City Council approve the conditional use permit
request by Elk River Shopping Center to expand Elk River Theaters with the
following conditions:
ADDITIONAL SIGNAGE BE LIMITED TO THREE CABINET SIGNS WHICH MAY BE PLACED
IN THE EAST ELEVATION OF THE BUILDING FACING HIGHWAY 169. THESE SIGNS
SHALL BE THE SAME SIZE AS THE EXISTING CABINET SIGNS.
ALL THE CONDITIONS OUTLINED IN CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT CU 93-25 APPLY TO
THIS NEW CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT.
\\elkriver\sys\shrdoc\council\cu97-29.doc
MEMORANDUM
Item # 5.4.
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
SUBJECT:
Planning Commission
Steve Ach, City Planne~~._
November 25, 1997
Conditional Use Permit Request by
Elk River Shopping Center, Public
Hearing Case No. CU 97-30
Request
Elk River Shopping Center is requesting a conditional use permit for an
athletic/health club facility in the Elk River Mall.
Location
Lot 2, Block 1, Elk River Plaza 2nd Addition
Zoning/Land Use
PUD (Planned Unit Development) / HB (Highway Business)
Attachments
Location map
Site plan
Letter from applicant
Overview
The conditional use permit request is for a health club consisting of
approximately 12,000 square feet at the south end of Elk River Mall. This
space was formerly occupied by Pamida and is now being divided with a
portion of the space going to the Elk River Theaters and the balance being
leased by "The Gym". The proposed health club will consist of a variety of
free weight equipment, weight machines, cable machines, cardiovascular
machines, and an aerobic dance area. The Gym will also offer nutritional
supplies, training accessories, clothing, tanning and health shakes and
drinks. Hours of operation will be Monday through Friday, 5 a.m. to 11p.m.,
13065 Orono Parkway · P.O. Box 490 · Elk River, MN 55330 · TDD & Phone: (612) 441-7420 · Fax: (612) 441-7425
Memo to the Planning Commission/CU 97-30
November 25, 1997
Page 2
Saturday and Sunday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. It is expected the average number of
people going through the club in any one day will be approximately 150 to
175. The busiest times during the week will be Monday and Tuesday, from
approximately 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. There are no plans to expand the existing
building; all the remodeling to accomplish the desired space will be done
within the existing building.
Partying
As discussed with the theater expansion, parking appears to be the most
critical issue for the shopping center. The attached site plan shows
additional parking that could be developed just south of the mall adjacent to
the space proposed to be occupied by "The Gym". In discussing the parking
issue with the owners of the mall, they did not foresee a problem, given the
theater and The Gym's peak hours for the majority of the week are slightly
different. According to Ted Harrison, owner of the The Gym, 35-40 people
will be in the club at one time. Based on parking ratios, this number is less
than the possible number of customers if the space was used for retail.
12,000 square feet of retail space would require 60 parking spaces, 20 to 25
more than the proposed health club. Therefore, the proposed use does a good
job in trying to reduce the parking demeand and diversifying the tenant mix.
Si~na~e
The applicant has indicated they would like to have signage on both the west
(facing the residential) and east (facing Highway 169) elevation of the
building. Signage will consist of individual lit letters, identifying "The Gym".
Recommendation
It is recommended the Planning Commission recommend approval of the
conditional use permit to operate a health club in the Elk River Mall with the
following conditions:
HOURS OF OPERATION WILL BE MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY, 5 A.M. TO 11 PM.,
SATURDAY AND SUNDAY FROM 9 A.M. TO 8 P.M.
SIGNAGE SHALL CONSIST OF INDIVIDUAL LIT LE'I'rERS ON BOTH THE EAST AND WEST
ELEVATION OF THE BUILDING.
APPROPRIATE BUILDING PERMITS BE OBTAINED PRIOR TO STARTING GANY INTERIM
CONSTRUCTION.
o
IF A PARKING PROBLEM ARISES IN THE FUTURE, THE PARKING AREA IMMEDIATELY
SOUTH OF THE BUILDING SHALL BE IMPROVED.
\\elkriver\sys\shrdoc\planning\pc\cu97-30.doc
LOCATION
The Gym i'n Elk River Inc.
October 28, ] 9!)7
'l'hc Gym in Elk River will be a health club consisting of approximately 12,o00
sq./il of'free weight equipmenl, weighl machines, cable machines, cardiovascular
. machines, and an acmbic dancc arca. Thc purpose of this club is to providc a t~cilixy to
engage in physical exercise, and to obtain help in working rewards goals off strength,
endurance, flexibility, or cardiovascular improvement, and any other health needs.
J¢ours of'operation will consist oflthe following: Monday - Friday 5:00 a.m. ~o
] ~:00 p.m., Salurday ~nd Sunday 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.. The average csfimmcd number
of people going d~rough thc club in one day will be around 150-175. With the busiest
time being Monday and Tuesday fi'om approximately 5:00 p.m. until 8:00p.m., An
e~imated 35-40 people will be in there m that time.
Along with assistance in obtaining physical fitness goals and providing a place to
train. The Gym in Elk River Inc. also engages in lhe selling of nutritional supplements,
training accessories, clothing, lanning, and health shakes and drinks. Ail of which arc
Familiar products in a health club.
The Gym in Elk River Inc. will be ran by myself and an estimated five to six
additional employees. ';wo to three employees will be %e most on at any given time.
Sincerely,
'l'cd 1 im'rison
Owner
.f
PARKING DATA: '"
CITY PLA'NNING DEPARTMENT REQUIREMENT
CURRE'NT PARKING .-
ADDITIONAL REQUIRED
848 PARKING STALLS
588 STALLS
260 STALLS
NEW STALLS PROVIDED.'
..
EXPANSION AREA 10'STREETSETBACK-201 STALLS
PROPOSED SPACE FOR ATHLETIC CLUB ."'~. .............. :.,..
OPTIONAL PARKING AREAL .
_ " EXISTING ~HOPPIN.G CE qTER L
15' STREET SETBACK - 184 STALLS
OPTION AREA A' 29 STALLS
'OPTION AREA B 28'STALLS
OPTION ARE/[ C ' 32'STALLS
FREEPORT ~VENUE
ADDITIO
AREAS