7.3. SR 03-06-1995~-C,r ,~ ITEM 7.3.
(
'ty of ~~ MEMORANDUM
River TO: Mayor and City Council
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FROM: Steven B. Ach, City Planner~,~C~-
DATE:. March 6, 1995
SUBJECT: Variance Request by the City of
Elk River, Public Hearing Case No.
V 95-02
Issue
The City of Elk River is requesting a Variance to the parking lot setbacks at
the new ice arena.
Location
Northwest of the senior high school in the vicinity of the proposed ice area.
• Zoning/Land Use
Rlc (Single Family Residential) / MR (Medium Density Residential).
Attachments
• Report to the Planning Commission dated 2/28/95,
• Draft minutes from the Planning Commission meeting
Overview
As outlined in the previous staff report the proposed ice arena will include
the addition of a new parking area and driveway that will encroach 2 - 3 feet
within the required 10 foot setback. This encroachment will occur along the
north property line to accommodate a service drive for both the new and
existing arena, and the second area is along the east property line adjacent to
the large wetland which extends easterly to School Street.
Through the review process of the proposed ice arena, each of the parking lot
encroachments have been minimized to the extent possible, while at the same
time preserving sufficient landscaped areas, which meet the intent of the
• setback requirements.
13065 Orono Parkway • P.O. Box 490 • Elk River, MN 55330 • (612) 441-7420 • Fax: (612) 441-7425
Memo to Mayor and City Council
V95-02
March 6, 1995
Page 2
• Please refer to the attached memo to the Planning Commission for additional
information on this item.
Planning Commission Recommendation
The Planning Commission reviewed the Variance Request and recommended
approval based on the four (4) findings stated in the staff report.
Recommendation
It is recommended the City Council approve the Variance Request by the City
of Elk River for a two to three foot variance to the ten foot parking setback
requirements based on the following findings:
1. The variance is an extension of an existing condition.
2. The variance is minimized by reducing the driveway width as much as
possible and establishing a buffer of landscaping.
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.
• s:council:v95-02
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River
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
ITEM N0. 5.7
MEMORANDUM
Planning Commission
Steven B. Ach, City Planner.~~--
February 28, 1995
SUBJECT: Variance Request by the City of Elk
River, Public Hearing Case No. V 95-02
Request
The City of Elk River is requesting a variance to the parking lot setbacks at
the new ice arena site.
Location
Northwest of the senior high school in the vicinity of the proposed ice arena.
Zoning/Land Use
Rlc (Single Family Residential) / MR (Medium Density Residential)
Attachments
• Location Map
• Zoning Map
• Site Plan identifying location of variances
Overview
The specific areas of the variances are occurring along the north property line
and east property line. In these locations, the parking lot encroaches closer
than the required setback of 10 feet. The variance along the north property
line occurs as a result of extending the existing service road directly east to
accommodate a service drive for the existing and proposed ice arena. The
driveway surface itself is approximately 7 - 8 feet from the property line,
requiring a 2 - 3 foot variance from the minimum 10 foot requirement. The
encroachment of this driveway into the setback requirement is being
mitigated by the installation of several pine trees and reducing the width of
i the service drive to the absolute minimum.
13065 Orono Parkway • P.O. Box 490 • Elk River, MN 55330 • (612) 441-7420 • Fax: (612) 441-7425
Memo to the Planning Commission Page 2
February 28, 1995
--------------------------------------------------
• The second variance involves a setback issue with the eastern edge of the
new parking area. Once again, this parking area encroaches approximately
2 - 5 feet within the setback requirement. The unique situation that justifies
this variance request is that a wetland area exists immediately to the east
and acts as a buffer between the parking lot and any neighboring activity.
Secondly, the administrative subdivision of the land to divide the ice arena
complex from the high school buildings involved a line immediately west of
the existing wetland. This lot line has been created for ownership purposes
of the ice arena and is not necessarily important for setback purposes.
As described in the conditional use permit application, the ice arena and
school district are acting together and complement one another as an entire
campus. Therefore, although there may be interior lot lines similar to the
property lines separating the ice arena from the school, the real setback
concerns should be focused to the perimeter of the entire campus. The joint
parking and interior landscaping provisions provide unique situations and
have been designed to meet the intent of setback requirements.
Recommendation
~. It is recommended that the Planning Commission recommend approval of the
variance request by the City of Elk River based on the following findings:
1. The variance is an extension of an existing condition.
2. The variance is minimized by reducing the driveway width as much as
possible and establishing a buffer of landscaping.
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.
•
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V 95-2
CASE: CU 95-3
AS 95-1
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Planning Commission Minutes Page 2
February 28, 1995 -
3.2. ' Consider Minutes of January 24, 1995 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 11, Item 6.2. -add Commissioner Dillon -expressed interest in attending...
COMMISSIONER SULLIVAN-SLOCUM MOVED TO APPROVE THE 1/24/95 PLANNING
COMMISSION MINUTES. COMMISSIONER DILLON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE
MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
4. Plar~ning Commissioner Representative to Attertd 3/20/95 City Council Meetinca ''
Chair Kuester will attend the 3/20/05 City Council meeting.
5.6. City'of Elk.>~River Request for Conditiondl Use Permit, Case NNo. CU 95-3
5.7. ' City 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.).
. 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 ice
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
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Planning Commission Minutes Page 3
February 28, 1995
-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 stated 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 trail 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.
CommissionerDillon 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 MINTON MOVED TO RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE
CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT REQUEST BY THE CITY OF ELK RIVER TO CONSTRUCT AN
OLYMPIC-SIZE 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 FOLLOWING CONDITIONS:
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1. COMMENTS STATED BY THE CITY ENGINEER BE INCORPORATED INTO THE
• FINAL 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.
b. 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.
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 FINDINGS:
1. THE VARIANCE IS AN EXTENSION OF AN EXISTING CONDITION.
2. THE VARIANCE IS MINIMIZED BY REDUCING THE DRIVEWAY WIDTH AS MUCH
AS POSSIBLE AND ESTABLISHING A BUFFER OF LANDSCAPING.
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Planning Commission Minutes Page 5 ~~
February 28, 1995 ~__ ~`~~
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.
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