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, MEMORANDUM
.lkRiver TO: Planning Commission
FROM: Steve Wensman s,,J
DATE: March 24, 1998
SUBJECT: Request by City of Elk River for
Conditional Use Permit to Expand
Library Parking Lot, Public Hearing
Case No. CU 98-7
Request
Consider a request by the City of Elk River (Library) to expand and improve
its parking lot.
II
Location
413 Proctor Avenue, Thomas Addition, North 1/2 of Lots 11 & 12, Block 2,
Section 33, Township 33, Range 26, Elk River, Sherburne County, Minnesota.
(Southwest corner of 5th Avenue & Proctor Avenue).
Zoning
Rlc (Single Family Residential)
Attachments
• Location map
• Existing conditions
• Site plan - Option A
• Site plan - Option B
Background
The public library is requesting a conditional use permit to expand its
parking from 17 stalls for patrons with 4 stalls for staff, to 34 patron stalls,
doubling patron parking. The public library building was expanded in 1996.
• Since that time, the existing parking lot with 21 stalls has become
13065 Orono Parkway • P.O. Box 490 • Elk River, MN 55330 • TDD &Phone: (612)441-7420 • Fax: (612)441-7425
Memo to Planning Commission/CU 98-7
March 16, 1998
Page 2
41 inadequate for the increased library patronage. In 1997, the house on the
corner of 5th and Proctor adjacent to the library parking lot went up for sale.
The City purchased the property and demolished the house. Because the
patrons are concerned about losing trees on the property, the City is making
great efforts to preserve the existing trees.
Existing Conditions
The existing parking lot is 80' wide with 9' parking stalls and supports 4 staff
parking stalls and 17 patron stalls; one handicap accessible. Currently, there
is no curb and gutter, and minimal landscaping.
Library Board
Mick Stoffer, Branch Librarian, has received the following
comments/concerns from the Library Board regarding the proposed site plan
for the parking lot (Option A):
1. Widen entrance drive to 30'.
2. Consider a new entrance/library sign.
3. The three transplanted arborvitae interfere with staff parking.
• 4.
5. Add an additional parking stall north of the elm tree.
Widen drive isle around the elm tree to 24'.
6. Keep the parking lot at its current width of 80' or reduce its width by 7'
to 73' to provide room for pedestrians to walk.
Parking
The Elk River Zoning Ordinance requires 36 parking stalls, two handicap
accessible, for a 10,600 sq. ft. library. Code also requires curb and gutter be
installed. The parking lot expansion adds 16 (37 total) parking stalls and
adds auto access off 5th Street. This access in its current configuration will
require moving a utility pole.
Landscaping
Options A and B reflect proposed new landscaping. With credit for 9 existing
trees, the Elk River Zoning Ordinance requires 7 trees be planted; 3
overstory, 2 conifers and 2 ornamental. The ordinance also requires
screening the parking lot from adjacent residential areas to an 80% opacity.
Underground irrigation is also required.
The proposed site plan:
•
f:\shrdoc\planning\pc\cu98-7.doc
Memo to Planning Commission/CU 98-7
March 16, 1998
Page 3
• • Screens residential with 8 conifers
• Screens residential from headlight glare
• Maintains site lines at 5th Street and Proctor
• Preserves 9 trees and removes only 3
• Beautifies the site with flowing shrubs and a garden around the proposed
entry sign.
• Will be as low maintenance as possible, utilizing regular shapes, mulches,
and good plant cover over ground surfaces.
• Will allow for ease of snow plowing and snow storage.
Entry Sign
A new sign has been proposed as the old one is in a state of disrepair. A new
sign will have to meet the zoning standards of:
• 10' setback from property line
• 96 sq. ft. maximum size
• 8' maximum height
• Prior to installing the new sign, a permit will need to be obtained from the
Planning Department.
• Lighting
The current patron parking is lit with 5 light poles with mercury vapor
lamps. One of the 5 poles was backed into this winter. The new lot will need
to be lit to meet zoning standards.
Key Issues
• Preservation of the Elm tree. Preserving the root zone of the tree is the
best way to save the tree.
• Lot width needed to accommodate easier access for cars and pedestrians.
Standard minimum parking lot width is 60' up to 66'.
• If efforts to preserve the Elm are to be compromised for parking, then staff
recommends removing the Elm now, adding 3 parking stalls and saving
future costs of tree removal and lot changes.
Recommendation
It is recommended that the Planning Commission recommend approval of the
conditional use permit to expand the library parking lot with the following
III
conditions:
f:\shrdoc\planning\pc\cu98-7.doc
Memo to Planning Commission/CU 98-7
March 16, 1998
Page 4
• 1. LANDSCAPING BE PROVIDED BETWEEN THE PARKING AREA AND EXISTING HOMES TO
REDUCE HEADLIGHT GLARE.
2. LANDSCAPE ENTIRE LOT AREA, NEW AND OLD.
3. SAVE AND TRANSPLANT AS MANY EXISTING TREES AS POSSIBLE (INCLUDING ELM).
4. ADD CURB AND GUTTER TO EXISTING LOT TO BRING IT UP TO MEET ZONING CODE.
5. ADD A 2ND HANDICAP PARKING STALL TO MEET ZONING CODE.
6. REDUCE LOT WIDTH TO 62' TO ACCOMMODATE SCREENING TO THE WEST, REDUCE
IMPERVIOUS AREA, SLOW TRAFFIC AND TO SAVE TREES. IF A WIDER LOT IS DESIRED
THEN STAFF RECOMMENDS A MAXIMUM WIDTH OF 66'.
7. RESURFACE ENTIRE LOT.
7. ADD ADDITIONAL LIGHTING AS NECESSARY.
8. WIDEN EXISTING ENTRY DRIVE TO 30'
9. INSTALL A NEW ENTRY SIGN.
f:\shrdoc\planning\pc\cu98-7.doc
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