6.1. SR 05-18-1998ity of
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FROM:
DATE:
Item # 6.1
MEMORANDUM
City Council
Stephen Wensman, Planning Intern
May 18, 1998
SUBJECT:
Request by the City of Elk River for a
Conditional Use Permit, Public
Hearing Case No. CU 98-14
Request
Consider a request by the City of Elk River for a conditional use permit to
operate a nonprofit recreational facility in the former Northbound Liquor
Store site.
Location
50 East Main Street. (The northeast corner of Highway 169 and East Main
Street)
Zoning/Land Use
C3 (Highway Commercial) / HB (Highway Business)
Attachments
· Location map
· Site plan (aerial photo)
· Memo from Police Department
· Revised site plan (aerial photo)
Background
The City of Elk River in conjunction with Community Recreation has been
looking for a suitable recreational facility site. The concept for using the Old
Prairie House restaurant in now being applied on former Northbound Liquor
Store site. The former Northbound Liquor Store site is owned by the city and
has been vacant for some time. The Watz family has discussed opening the
Watz Up Caf6 in this location, however, they are no longer interested.
13065 Orono Parkway · P.O. Box 490 · Elk River, MN 55330 · TDD & Phone: (612) 441-7420 · Fax: (612) 441-7425
Building
The City Council has authorized some small improvements to the site that
would accommodate the use of a recreation facility. All remodeling efforts
will be coordinated with the building office.
Operations
The Community Recreation facility will include vending machines, pool
tables, arcade games, jukebox, card and board games. Other activities may be
considered in the future.
The proposed hours are Monday through Thursday 3-8 p.m., Friday 3-9:30
p.m. and Saturday 1-9:30 p.m., and closed on Sundays. The hours may
change depending upon the type of events or programs the facility may offer.
The facility will initially be staffed with one person responsible for
supervision of the site. There will be a communication plan with the police for
intervention, security and support for outdoor issues. If it becomes necessary
additional staff may be added.
Parking Lot
The site has adequate parking with 27 parking stalls, of which 3 are
handicap accessible. The parking lot is continuous with parking for Ron's
Foods. Access to the site is off of County Road 12 on a shared road accessing
Ron's Foods.
The Police Department has expressed a concern about "cut-through" traffic
from Ron's Foods through the former Liquor Store site. To discourage this
movement some traffic control / landscape islands are proposed along with
speed dips at the entrances to the parking lot.
Liehting
Existing lighting is provided by one highway style street light and 5 parking
lot lights around the perimeter of the lot. Some of the old building lighting
has been removed with the awnings.
Siena~e
The existing free-standing pylon will be utilized if there is any need for a
sign.
Police Department Recommendations
See the attached Police Department memorandum.
Planning Commission
The Planning Commission met on April 28th, 1998 and recommended
approval of the conditional use permit to operate a recreational facility at the
former Northbound Liquor store site. At the public hearing, Barb Miracle
spoke and commended the city for its efforts to use the site for the
recreational facility. There were no other comments.
Recommendation
It is recommended that the City Council approve the conditional use permit
request to operate a recreation facility at the former Northbound Liquor
Store site with the following conditions:
e
THAT SURVIELLANCE CAMERAS BE INSTALLED AS A DETERANCE TO
INAPPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR, AND TO HELP SURVEY THE OUTSIDE OF THE
BUILDING.
THAT THE LIGHTING BE INSTALLED ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE BUILDING
TO ADEQUATELY LIGHT THE WALKWAYS AND AREAS ADJACENT TO THE
BUILDING.
KEEP ALL WINDOWS FREE AND CLEAR OF ITEMS, POSTERS, ETC.
MAKE THE SITE A "TOBACCO-FREE" ESTABLISHMENT. THIS WILL ASSIST
THE POLICE IN KEEPING THE FACILITY A PLACE FOR ALL TO COME.
MAKE THE FRONT DOOR THE ONLY ENTRANCE AND EXIT; ALL OTHER
DOORS FOR EMERGENCY ONLY.
THAT THE TWO FENCED AREAS BEHIND THE BUILDING BE MAINTAINED
PROPERYLY AND LOCKED.
THAT THE CITY INSTALL SPEED DIPS AND TRAFFIC CONTROL /
LANDSCAPE ISLANDS TO MINIMIZE TRAFFIC THROUGH THE SITE AND TO
ENHANCE PEDESTRIAN SAFETY.
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To:
From:
Ell iver Date:
Police Department Subject:
Memorandum
Steve Ach
Cheryll Edinger/Michelle Masica
April 21, 1998
Old Northbound Conversion to Teen Center
We feel this property would not serve well for a teen center due
to the closeness of the highway and due to the building not
adequately providing natural surveillance. Following are the
recommendations for the building if this project should continue.
We strongly recommend windows for the south and west side of the
building. There is no surveillance from inside the building to
monitor the parking area.
We also recommend that the existing lighting on the outside of
the building be repaired to ensure adequate lighting of the
parking lot and walkways under awning.
A fence on the east side of the building should be taken down.
We feel this creates an unsafe area for people walking in the
lot.
We also recommend that no outside seating be placed around the
perimeter of the building. We feel this would create problems
during business hours and also after.
Some type of barriers should be placed on the north side of the
building clearly defining the border between the above lot and
Ron's Foods parking lot.
Further questions may be directed to either one of us.
13065 Orono Parkway · P.O. Box 723 · Elk River, MN 55330 · (612) 441-2324 · Fax (612) 441-8937
PROPOSED SITE PLAN