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7.2. SR 03-06-1995~~r ~~ ( 'ty of ~~ lk • River TO: FROM: DATE: ITEM 7.2.. MEMORANDUM Mayor and City Council Steven B. Ach, City Planner_~~~ March 6, 1995 SUBJECT: Conditional Use Permit by the City of Elk River, Public Hearing Case No. CU 95-03 Issue The City of Elk River, along with Youth Hockey Association, is requesting a conditional use permit to construct a new, olympic-size ice arena immediately adjacent to the existing ice arena. Location Northwest of the senior high school. Zoning/Land Use Rlc (Single Family Residential) / MR (Medium Density Residential). Attachments • Attachment A • Report to the Planning Commission dated 2/28/95 • Draft minutes from the 2/28 Planning Commission meeting Oueruiew The proposed ice arena would be located directly east of the existing arena and slightly north of the senior high school. The new arena would have a 100 ft. by 200 ft. olympic-size ice sheet with approximately 1,200 seats in the initial phase and ultimately, seating for 2,500. In addition to the arena, a new parking facility will also be provided, accommodating upwards of 90 parking stalls that will benefit not only the ice arena but also the senior high during their peak demands. Improvements will also be made to the existing arena to improve the operation of that facility. 13065 Orono Parkway • P.O. Box 490 • Elk River, MN 55330 • (612) 441-7420 • Fax: (612) 441-7425 Memo to Mayor and City Council CU95-03 March 6, 1995 ----------------------------------------------- • Page 2 Several of these modifications pertain to ADA requirements, as well as retrofitting some of the common areas (i.e., the main lobby and locker rooms) that will tie the two arenas together. A complete presentation will be made for the City Council by the Ice Arena Task Force at Monday nights meeting. Task Force Chairman, Jeff Gongoll, Chuck Frieberg of RSP Architects and youth hockey representatives are all expected to be in attendance to present and answer questions. Analysis Review of this conditional use permit to expand the ice arena complex focused primarily on the external improvements and associated issues that may arise with the proposed addition. The following is a brief overview of issues that have been discussed relative to the proposed arena. Further explanation can be found in the attached Planning Commission report. Parkin The seating available in the existing arena is roughly 700 seats. S Combining this with the new arena's ultimate seating capacity of 2,500, there is the possibility of the two facilities operating at full capacity of drawing 3,200 spectators at one time. Certainly this may be a rare occurrence, however, it is a situation that is worth mentioning and being prepared for in the future. With the addition of the new ice arena, there will also be a new parking lot added directly east of the new arena that will add approximately 90 new parking stalls. This new parking area combined with the 3 other parking lots (directly south of the arena, northeast of the senior high along School Street, and east of Vandenberge Junior High), provide a total of approximately 830 available parking stalls to accommodate events occurring at the ice arena, high school and junior high. An important factor in managing the parking demands for events occurring at these three facilities at the same time will require scheduling events at alternative times to alleviate parking problems. In the past, this scheduling has been successful in avoiding overlapping major events at both the senior high and ice arena which has resulted in few major parking problems over the years. • s:council:cu95-03 Memo to Mayor and City Council CU95-03 March 6, 1995 ----------------------------------------------- • Page 3 Landscaping The primary concern here is to provide an adequate buffer between the proposed arena and the residential area immediately to the north. The plan has included some conifer trees along the north line and with the addition of a few more, should provide ayear-round screen. Lighting Parking lot lighting is an important element of any public facility. The plans do include parking lot lighting to provide a safe environment during events. These lights are designed to project lighting downward and not towards the residential area. The Police Chief has also asked that some parking lot lighting remain on at all times to further improve the security and safety within the area. Utility Extension/Fire Protection During the staff review of the proposed ice arena addition, it was noted that there is currently a watermain that extends north of School Street and dead-ends at the northwest corner of the senior high. In addition, there is another dead-end watermain immediately north of the ice arena site within the cul-de-sac of the residential area. The Fire Chief and Elk River Utilities have suggested connecting these two dead-ends to improve fire protection to the senior high, ice arena and residential area to the north. Furthermore, with looping this watermain, the overall water quality will be improved for the school campus and residential homes. (See attached Exhibit A.) In order to accomplish this extension, additional easements will have to be obtained from the residential property owners immediately north of the ice arena. Unfortunately, the recorded plat of record does not have any sideyard drainage and utility easements which would allow the installation of the utility line. Therefore, to complete this extension, easements will have to be granted by each of the affected property owners. Please refer to the Fire Chief's memo attached to the Planning Commission report for additional information. Planning Commission Recommendation The Planning Commission reviewed the conditional use permit and asked questions relating to providing enough landscaping along the north side of s:council:cu95-03 Memo to Mayor and City Council CU95-03 March 6, 1995 Page 4 the building to buffer the ice arena from the residential area and providing adequate parking for the new arena and high school complex. Following discussion on this matter, the Planning Commission recommends approving the conditional use permit. Recommendation It is recommended that the City Council approve the conditional use permit to allow the construction of a new ice arena and associated parking lot with the following conditions: 1. Comments stated by the City Engineer be incorporated into the final set of plans. 2. New parking area be constructed with a bituminous surface and bounded with concrete curb and gutter. 3. A drainage plan be approved by the city engineer prior to construction. 4. A new fire hydrant be provided on-site in accordance with the recommendation from the fire chief. In addition, consideration be given to extending the water main north to connect with the dead-end line existing in the residential area. 5. Additional landscaping be provided along the north property line to maximize the screening between the ice arena and residential neighborhood to the north. 6. A short segment of trail be provided from the parking lot to the northerly property line to eventually connect with a trail extending from the residential area. 7. All parking lot and building lighting shall be down-lit and directed away from the residential area. 8. As requested by the Police Chief an adequate number of parking lot lights be left on at all time to maximize security and safety within the area. 9. Information relative to refuse collection shall be provided and incorporated into the final plans. If an outdoor trash enclosure will be provided, proper screening will need to be included. s:council:cu95-03 Memo to Mayor and City Council CU95-03 March 6, 1995 ----------------------------------------------- Page 5 10. The southerly traffic control island in the new parking area should be shifted north out of the existing travel lane. 11. Revised plans be provided for approval prior to issuance of a~ building permit. 12. Any work within the existing wetland immediately east of the parking area be required to obtain the appropriate permits. s:council:cu95-03 ~ ~ `~ ~'.ity of ~ ilk • River ITEM NO. 5_6. MEMORANDUM TO: Planning Commission. FROM: Steven B. Ach, City Planner_~~~~~-- DATE: February 28, 1995 SUBJECT: Conditional Use Permit by the City of Elk River, Public Hearing Case No. CU 95-03 Request The City of Elk River, along with the Youth Hockey Association, is requesting a conditional use .permit. to construct a new, Olympic-size ice arena, immediately adjacent to the existing ice arena. Location Northwest of the existing high school ©ning/Land Zlse R1c (Single Family Residential) / MR (Medium Density Residential). Attachments • Memo from City Engineer dated 2/22/95 • Memo from -Fire Chief • Location Map • Zoning Map Development Plans. Overview The proposed ice arena would be constructed immediately east of the existing arena which is currently located northwest of the senior high school. The ice arena project would include the following major improvements: 13Q65 Orono Parkway • P.O. Box 490 • Elk River, MN 55330 • (612) 441-7420 • Fax: (612) 441-7425 Memo to Planning Commission Page 2 February 28, 1995 • Retrofitting the. existing ice arena to meet AD requirements • Redesigning the entrance to both arenas including a common Iobby area .for ticketing, concessions. and restroom facilities. • Construct a 235 by 151 precast building for the new Olympic ice sheet. • .Provide initial seating for approximately 900 spectators with the ability to expand that seating to accommodate roughly 2,500 people. • Provide new locker room space in both arenas along with a common mezzanine level between the two ice sheets. • Install new parking area to accommodate upwards of 90 vehicles. • Provide on-site lighting within the parking area and around.. the ice arena. • Install landscaping around the building and site perimeter. • Repair a portion of the existing parking .lot in front of the current ice arena to help facilitate drainage. Analysis The following are issues that have been discussed relative to the proposed ice arena: Parking -The existing ice arena can currently seat approximately 700 people. The new ice arena will ultimately be able to seat roughly 2,500. In total, these two facilities operating at full capacity could draw 3,200 spectators. Certainly this may be a rare occurrence where both facilities are operating at optimum capacity, however, it is a situation that could occur in the future. In terms of designing the parking needs for a facility that is located within a campus setting that has a variable amount of parking opportunities available, the parking issue becomes slightly less critical than an isolated parcel with limited parking ability. Similar to a shopping center, parking- lots are not designed for the worse case (i.e. Christmas Eve). Therefore, it is not anticipated that a parking area will be provided to accommodate the optimum capacity. With the. ice :arenas being located on the high school campus where other events such as basketball, volleyball :and swimming may be occurring at the same time as an event at the ice arena, there. may be more pressures on the. demand for parking space. However, according to the high school, scheduling events at alternative times has been rather successful and therefore, parking problems have been minimized. One of the key elements in managing these peak parking demands will be the scheduling of events at alternate times to spread those demands out and not having them occur at the same time. s:planning:pc:cu95-03 Memo to Planning Commission Page 3 February 28, 1995 Currently there are two parking lots to accommodate the events at both the ice arena and high school. The parking lot immediately south of the.- ice arena has approximately 310 parking stalls. The parking area directly north of the senior high and east of the ice .arena has the ability to park approximate y 250 vehicles. In total, .the number of spaces available far any given event is roughly 560 parking stalls. Along with constructing the new arena, there will be a new parking lot constructed immediately to east that will net approximately 85 parking stalls. Therefore, with the construction of this new parking. area, the high school campus will have approximately 645 parking stalls to accommodate the events at any given time. The new parking area will be constructed with a bituminous surface along with concrete curb and gutter around the perimeter. To improve drainage within the existing parking area, some repair work will be conducted immediately in front of the new and existing ice arena. Landscaping - Immediately to the north of the ice arena is a residential area. To provide an acceptable buffer several conifers are proposed along the north property line. The plan should include some additional conifers within this area to further enhance this buffering. In addition, some :perimeter landscaping around both the building and the parking area will be included to .round out the landscaping of the site. Lighting -The proposed plans include lighting throughout the new parking area. These lights should be down-lit and directed away from the residential area that exists to the north. Furthermore, the police chief has suggested that a selected number of lights be left on at all times to improve the general security and safety within the area. Apparently, lights within the existing parking area are .turned off when there are no events occurring at either the ice arena yr high school. Fire Protection -Between the high school and the .ice arena is an existing fire hydrant. The fire chief has suggested in order to provide adequate protection. to the new and existing ice arena, an additional hydrant should be provided at the northeast corner of the new arena. This will involve extending the water line from the existing hydrant to connect with the new hydrant at the described location. There has also been discussion of looping the watermain north through the residential area to improve water flow and fire protection for the residential and ice arena complex. s:planning:pc: cu95-03 Memo to Planning Commission February 28, 1995 -------------------------------------------- Page 4 Please refer to the attached memo from the Fire Chief for further - .information. Pedestrian Circulation -The Park and Rec Commission has identified a trail corridor extending from the residential area immediately to the north to the high school. This trail was originally planned to follow the west side of the .pond and connect up with the sidewalk around the high school. With the construction of the parking area, it may be very difficult to include a trail between the parking area and existing pond. Therefore, it has been recommend that a small segment of trail be provided at the northeast corner of the parking area that can eventually be extended north into the residential area. This small segment of trail will at least give pedestrians the opportunity to move from the residential area to .the parking area and then proceed on to the nearest sidewalk. A complete presentation of the proposed ice arena will be made by the architects at Tuesday's meeting. Recommendation It is recommended that the Planning Commission recommend approval of the conditional use permit to allow the construction of a new ice arena and associated parking lot with the following conditions: 1. Comments stated by the City Engineer be incorporated into the final act of plans. 2. New parking area be constructed with a bituminous surface and bounded with concrete curb and gutter. 3. A drainage plan be approved by the city engineer prior to construction. 4. A new fire hydrant be provided on-site in accordance with the recommendation. from the fire chief. In addition, consideration will be given to extending the water main north to connect with the residential area. 5. Additional landscaping be provided along the north property line to maximize the screening between the ice arena and residential neighborhood to the north. • s:planning:pc: cu95-03 Memo to Planning Commission Page 5 February 28, 1995 6. A short segment of trail be provided from the parking lot to the northerly property line to eventually connect with a trail extending to the residential 7. All parking lot and building lighting shall be down-lit and .directed away from the residential area. 8. An adequate number of parking lot lights be left on at all time to maximize security and safety within the area. 9. Information relative to refuse collection shall be provided and incorporated into the final plans. If an outdoor trash enclosure will be provided,. proper screening will need to be included. 10. The southerly traffic control island in the new parking area should be shifted north .out of the existing travel lane. 11. Revised plans be provided for approval prior to issuance of a building permit. • • s:planning:pc:eu95-03 •! ~1S (~ti5~~~~`~ ~~G~~E February 22, 1995 1326 Energy Pork Drive File: 230-263-11 St. Paul, MN 55108 61?•644.4389 t•soo-sss•z9z3 Mr. Steve Ach fax: 612.644.4446 City Planner City of Elk River 13065 Orono Parkway P.O. Box 490 Elk River, MN 55330 RE: ICE ARENA SITE PLAN REVIEW Dear Mr. Ach: As requested,:. we have reviewed the site plan package put together by RSP Architects for CIVIL ENGINEERINCr. the addition t0 the Elk River Ice Arena. Based on our review of this material, we would ENVIRONMENTAL offer the following comments: UNiCIPAI CANNING 1 • The lot dimensions shown on the site/landSCape plan are slightly different than those soup WASTE S shown on the survey :and description provided on the last sheet entitled "Existing TRUCTURAL Conditions of Elk River Ice Arena". It appears that if the legal description is SURVEYING T F correct, the site plan should show slightly larger dimensions which would improve RA FIC the bu>1ding SltuatlOn. TRANSPORTATION ELECTRICAL/MECHANICAL 2' Although no drainage calculations were provided, the grading plan does indicate ENCiNEERINC: two small sedimentation ponds adjacent t0 the wetland east of the site. The most Hvac southerly of these sedimentation ponds has drainage flowing in via storm sewer POWER DISTRIBUTION piping. The more northerly of the two haS drainage that will flow overland off of scADA the parking Lot. These appear to be adequate. to address the quality control issue of srsTEM coNreols storm water runoff. It should be noted that neither of these should be built within the wetland .area itself. Both need to be outside and upland of the designated wetland -area. 3. It is not clear from the drawings, but I assume that the entire parking area will include concrete curb and gutter around its perimeter. 4. No handicap stalls are shown in the parking area; therefore, I have assumed that these will be located in the existing parking area located south of the new and the ~fflcES w: existing ice arena buildings. -° MINNEAPOLIS PRIOR LAKE ST. PAUL WASECA f \~ scy or ~, • Elk Rlver MEMORANDUM TO: Planning Commission FROM: Bruce West, Fire Chief DATE: February 23,1995 SUBJECT: Elk River Ice Arena Addition and Fire Hydrant Locations Currently, the planned locations for the fire hydrants for the new addition to the Ice Arena are as follows: 0 one fire hydrant will be in the southeast area of the addition with -the addition of a planned second fi e hydrant in the northeast section of the arena expansion. There has also been discussion of creating a loop around the entire ice arena complex. Creating a loop around the ice arena complex will not solve a potential problem with the new northeast hydrant. With the placement of a fire department pumper in the location of the southeast hydrant, we willbe "stealing" all of the water before it would get to the northeast hydrant. We could use the capacity of the water main at the southeast hydrant and there would virtually be uo water left at the northeast hydrant for feasible usage. Secondly, I would like the Planning Commission to look at the possibility of continuing the water main from the southeast hydrant to the northeast hydrant on the location of the ice arena complex and continuing north to Lowell Street. If we connected the hydrants on site at the-ice arena complex with the dead-end hydrant at Lowell Street, we would be creating atwo-fold increase in our water supply to this EII: River neighborhood area. First of all we would have an uninterrupted amount of water that would be available for the ice arena complex. The northeast hydrant. would be feasible and fiilly usable if it was connected to the Lowell .Street hydrant. We would also be improving our water_ flow capability in the neighborhood just to the .north ofthe ice arena complex by having the water mains connected to both the northeast and the southeast hydrant on the arena complex-site. T understand this alternative of connecting the water mains at the Lowell Street. area will require easements. The issue here is in reference to the additional costs of the proposed loop around the arena complex site vs. acquiring easements and connecting the water main through. the Lowell Street area. I feel the overall added benefit to this area would be best served by connecting the water main form the arena complex site to the Lowell Street dead-end hydrant area. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at the Elk River Fire Department 441- 4919. s:fdpcmemo 13065 Orono Parkway • P.O. Box 490 • Elk Rive°, MN 55330 • (612) 441-7420 • Fax: (612) 441-7425 i ~l ~V ; o '1 4 .cif U J - 3 4 ~~ n • ` 1 J {7^ a ~ is :~ .~ ' \~ f j g '' , Cti HTV~Yj'trvL ~ ~ ~ ~ ~'~ ~r•. I N -1 c 2 :off r 1 M ... - -_ ''I 1 M+'~ r ~ti~. 1 . ~. 1 VY pr.•tA' FA.N W ! ~ =P1 Wi u:~ . I ~ ~ ~. 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Y! psp ~ ~S Y 96 .; t ~; f \ ~-, ir; I?~ ~j ~r g r tt r Y F ~: I~~ :, prt ,~ 9~ i~ $ $ av :•~ ~~ t ~ •• ' t ~~ Y Y e '% r~ ~ Planning Commission Minutes February 28, 1995 Page 2 3.2. 'Consider Minutes of January 24 ] 995 Planning Commission Meeting The following corrections were noted in the 1 /24/95 minutes: -Page 10, "Chair. Minton" should be changed to "Commissioner Minton" -Page 11, "Vice Chair Charger" should be changed to 'Vice Chair Kreger" -Page l l,ltem 6.2. -add Commissioner Dillon -expressed interest in attending... COMMISSIONER SULLIVAN-SLOCUM MOVED TO APPROVE THE 1/24/45 PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES. COMMISSIONER DILLON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5.0. 4. Planning Commissioner Rearesentative to Attend 3/20/95 City Council Meeting Chair Kuester will attend the 3/20/05 City Council meeting. 5.6. '' City of EIk River'Request for Conditional Use Permit Case No. CU 95-3 5.7.' Gty of Elk River Request for Variance, Public Hearing Case No. V 95-2 .Staff report by Steve Ach. The City of Elk River is requesting a variance to the parking lot setbacks at the new ice arena site, northwest of the senior high school. The 2-3 foot variance along the north property line is a result of the extension of the existing service road. A second variance is along the eastern edge of the parking area (2-5 ft.j. • Jeff Gongoll, Chair of the Ice Arena Task Force, explained that the Task Force has been meeting for the past 8-10 months. Members of the Ice Arena Task Force include Dale Martin, Marly Glines, Larry Farber, John Dietz and Pat Klaers. Staff support also provided by Lori Johnson. He stated that the existing facility is approximately 23 years old and. is not able to meet the needs of the community. He added. that the Athletic Conference may not permit Elk River home games in the future due to the limited seating. Jeff noted that neighboring communities are. willing to make a commitment for leasing ice time to support the new facility. He stated that they have received approval from the School Board to transfer property to the City for the proposed ice arena. Jeff explained the progress on the project to date, regarding selection of an architect and designing the lee arena. He noted the Bank of Elk River, First National Bank and the State Bank of Rogers have agreed to finance the project. He stated that by using this method of financing, they will avoid costs associated with the bonding process. The total cost of the project is $2 million.. Chuck Frieberg, RSP Architects, complimented the Task Force for their work on the project. Mr. Frieberg provided an overview of the architectural aspects of the proposed ice arena, highlighting the following: -placement of new building parallel to existing facilities -shared entrance, (point of control) -creating additional 90+ parking stalls -new drop area for teams -sand base; year-round ice -1,200 seating capacity at completion of initial phase Planning Commission Minutes February 28, 1995 Page 3 • -when fully completed, 4 new locker rooms with showers and toilets, figure skating club room, officials rooms, enlarged concessions, enlarged skate rental and sharpening area, enlarged vending and video game area, an indoor track in the mezzanine, and a total seating capacity of 2,000. -described the exterior design of the building, painting of existing .building to match, using school colors and logo, Chair Kuester opened the public hearing. There being no comments from the public, Chair Kuester closed the .public hearing. Commissioner Minton .questioned the potential for ponding on the parking lot. Mr. Frieberg sta#ed that. grading would be done to direct the drainage. He also expressed his concern for adequate parking during high attendance events. Jeff Gongoll stated that the scheduling of events would be coordinated so that major varsity events would not occur at the same time. He stated that with additional parking available east of the ice arena north of the senior high), west of the .senior high, and also west of the Vandenberg School, the parking need could be met. Chair Kuester questioned if there would be a trail between the ice arena and the residential area to the north. Steve Ach explained that it may not be possible to have a tral between the parking area and the wetland, but a short extension to the parking area should be provided where pedestrians can either use the parking lot itself or the sidewalk next to the ice arena to get to the main sidewalk • around the school Mr. Frieberg explained that there will be a 3 foot berm with Black Hills Spruce :plantings to screen the parking area from the residential area. Commissioner Minton asked if the north end of the existing ice arena could be screened.. Jeff Gongoll stated that some plantings could be placed there in the future. Commissioner Sullivan-Slocum questioned the use .for the north service road. Mr. Frieberg stated that it would only be used for servicing the Zamboni machine and could be signed for no entry. Commissioner Dillon questioned the possibility of runoff from the parking area into the wetland area.. Mr. Frieberg explained that there. would be curb and gutter with catch basins. Chair Kuester questioned the restroom requirement for a facility of this size. Mr. Frieberg stated that code requires seven stalls for each gender, but they will be providing nine. COMMISSIONER MfNTON MOVED TO RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT REQUEST BY THE CITY OF ELIC RIVER TO CONSTRUCT AN OLYMPIC-SIiE ICE ARENA, PUBLIC HEARING CASE NO. CU 95-03, BASED ON THE INFORMATION IN STAFF'S REPORT TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION AND THE FACT THAT THERE WAS NO PUBLIC OPPOSITION,. WITH THE FOLLOWfNG CONDITIONS: • 1. COMMENTS STATED BY THE CITY ENGINEER BE INCORPORATED INTO THE FtNAI SET OF PLANS. • Planning Commission Minutes February 28, 1995 Page 4 2. NEW PARKING AREA BE CONSTRUCTED WITH A BITUMINOUS SURFACE AND BOUNDED WITH CONCRETE CURB AND GUTTER. 3. A DRAINAGE PLAN BE APPROVED BY THE CITY ENGINEER PRIOR TO CONSTRUCTION. 4. ANEW FIRE HYDRANT BE PROVIDED ON-SITE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RECOMMENDATION :FROM THE FIRE CHIEF. IN ADDITION, CONSIDERATION WILL BE GIVEN TO EXTENDING THE WATER MAIN NORTH TO CONNECT WITH THE RESIDENTIAL AREA. 5. ADDITIONAL LANDSCAPING BE PROVIDED ALONG THE NORTH PROPERTY LINE TO MAXIMIZE THE SCREENING BETWEEN THE ICE ARENA AND RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD TO THE NORTH. 6. A SHORT SEGMENT OF TRAIL BE PROVIDED FROM THE PARKING LOT TO THE NORTHERLY PROPERTY LINE TO EVENTUALLY CONNECT WITH A TRAIL EXTENDING TO THE RESIDENTIAL. 7. ALL PARKING LOT AND BUILDING LIGHTING SHALL BE DOWN-LIT AND DIRECTED AWAY FROM THE RESIDENTIAL AREA. 8. AN ADEQUATE NUMBER OF PARKING LOT LIGHTS BE LEFT ON AT ALL TIME TO MAXIMIZE SECURITY AND SAFETY WITHIN THE AREA. 9. INFORMATION. RELATIVE TO REFUSE COLLECTION SHALL BE PROVIDED AND INCORPORATED INTO THE FiNAI PLANS. IF AN OUTDOOR TRASH ENCLOSURE WILL BE PROVIDED, PROPER SCREENING WILL NEED TO BE INCLUDED, 10. .THE SOUTHERLY TRAFFIC CONTROL ISLAND IN THE NEW PARKING AREA SHOULD BE SHIFTED NORTH OUT OF THE EXISTING TRAVEL LANE. 11. REVISED PLANS BE PROVIDED FOR APPROVAL PRIOR TO ISSUANCE OF A BUILDING PERMIT. COMMISSIONER SULLIVAN-SLOCUM SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. COMMISSIONER MINTON MOVED TO RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE VARIANCE REQUEST BY THE CITY OF ELK RIVER, PUBLIC HEARING CASE NO. V 95-02, BASED ON THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION: -STAFF'S REPORT TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION -THERE WAS NO PUBLIC OPPOSITION -THE TWO (2) FOOT VARIANCE WOULD NOT INFRINGE ON THE WETLAND AREA -AND THE FOLLOWING FLNDINGS: 1. THE VARIANCE IS AN EXTENSION OF AN EXISTING CONDITION. 2. THE VARIANCE IS MINIMIZED BY REDUCING THE DRIVfWAY WIDTH AS MUCH • AS POSSIBLE AND ESTABLISHING A BUFFER OF LANDSCAPING. Planning Commission Minutes February 28, 1995 Page 5 • 3. THE CAMPUS SETTING OF THE ICE COMPLEX AND HIGH SCHOOL IS A UNIQUE SITUATION WHEREBY SHARED PARKING AND PROPERTY LINES FOR OWNERSHIP PURPOSES EXIST. 4. THE ENCROACHMENT OF THE PARKING AREA INTO THE SETBACK WILL NOT BE DETRIMENTAL TO SURROUNDING PROPERTIES NOR CREATE A PUBLIC SAFETY CONCERN. COMMISSIONER SULLIVAN-SLOCUM SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. • •