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6.4. SR 09-16-1996~ity of iver FROM: DATE: SUBJECT: ITEM 6.4. MEMORANDUM Mayor and City Council Steven B. Ach, City Planner.~,~_ September 16, 1996 Conditional Use Permit Request by Central Lutheran Church, Public Hearing Case No. CU 96-22 Request Central Lutheran Church is requesting a conditional use permit to expand their parking lot facility at the existing church along School Street and Lions' Park Drive. Location The southwest corner of School Street and Lions' Park Drive (1103 School Street). Zoning/Land Use R4 (Multi-Family Residential) / HR (High Density Residential) Attachments · Exhibit illustrating requested easement · Report to the Planning Commission dated August 27, 1996 Overview Central Lutheran Church has a facility of approximately 16,000 square feet along with an existing parking area which is presently located along the west and south side of their building. The church also uses the easterly portion of their property for parking as the parking demands have exceeded the improved parking area. In light of this increased parking demand, Central Lutheran Church is requesting a conditional use permit to expand their existing parking facility by improving the eastern portion of their property with a paved parking area, along with other improvements in accordance with the City's current 13065 Orono Parkway · P.O. Box 490 · Elk River, MN 55330 · (612) 441-7420 · Fax: (612) 441-7425 Memo to the Mayor and City Council/CU 96-22 Page 2 September 16, 1996 performance standards. The improvements would include concrete curb and gutter surrounding the new parking area along with bituminous surfacing and landscaping. The existing parking facility is not being reviewed at this time; only the new parking area that is being proposed. The church has indicated that there are future plans to expand the church facility at which time a review of the entire site will be conducted. Proposed Parking Area The new parking area will involve relocating an existing drive that currently accesses School Street further to the east, and closing the existing driveway. There will also be an access point onto Lions' Park Drive towards the southeast portion of the parking area to allow a secondary access to the parking area. The parking area would include a total of 168 new parking stalls. The existing parking area has approximately 212 parking stalls that are currently being used. In addition to the parking stalls that are provided on the church property, there is an agreement between the church and the city that the church can use the parking lot in Lions' Park as overflow parking. Lions' Park Drive Lions' Park Drive as it extends south of School Street is currently a 26 foot wide paved roadway that provides access to Lions' Park, Dove Tree Apartments and based on the proposed site, Central Lutheran Church. Staff has had concerns with the condition and design of Lions' Park Drive and its ability to adequately serve this area for the long term. The city originally purchased 40 feet from the church to facilitate the construction of a driveway to access Lions' Park. As it turned out, this driveway has also been expanded to serve the apartment complex that was recently constructed pursuant to previous agreements with Mr. Houlton for the development of the apartment property. The current condition of the street has raised concern with the fire department because of the narrowness of the road and the sharp 90 degree turn. This sharp curve makes it difficult for larger vehicles to maneuver around the corner. Therefore, staff is recommending that this road be upgraded some time in the near future to a minimum 30 foot wide road with curb and gutter to accommodate the drainage and traffic demands that are expected. In addition to improving the road within the 40 feet that the city currently owns, it would be appropriate to obtain an additional easement from the church for drainage, utility and snow storage purposes. The amount of the easement that staff is requesting is a 14 foot easement that would allow Memo to the Mayor and City Councfl/CU 96-22 September 16, 1996 enough room for the church and the city to store snow during the winter times and to provide the opportunity to extend any utilities that may be necessary adjacent to Lions' Park Drive. It is not envisioned at this point that any utilities are expected in Lions' Park Drive; however, the easement would allow for that to occur ff necessary. Page 3 Drainage and Utilities As part of the parking lot improvement a storm drainage pond is proposed in the southeast corner. This pond will detain run-off from the new parking area prior to discharging into Lions Park. The plans currently show concrete spillways with rip-rap to facilitate the drainage. Staff would recommend that catch basins and small diameter pipe be utilized in place of the spillways. There will also need to be a storm sewer pipe extended from the proposed storm pond to Lions Park. Planning Commission Recommendation The Planning Commission recommended approval of the conditional use permit with the conditions outlined in the staff report. Recommendation It is recommended the City Council approve the conditional use permit for Central Lutheran Church to expand their parking lot facility with the following conditions: The church grant to the city a 14 foot easement along the west side of Lions' Park Drive for drainage, utility and snow storage purposes. The easement should also include a 30 foot triangular piece at the southeast corner of the church property to again allow for drainage, utility and snow storage purposes. o Landscaping be provided within that area being improved at this time in accordance with the City's performance standards. All areas disturbed be properly sodded or seeded, whichever is needed to prevent erosion from occurring. The proposed access onto Lions' Park Drive should have the curb and gutter terminated at the church's easterly property line. Prior to commencing any work on site, the revised plans reflecting the conditions for approval be approved by the city. Memo to the Mayor and City Council/CU 96-22 Page 4 September 16, 1996 6. Proper erosion control be installed prior to construction of the parking lot area. s:\council\cu96-22.doc EXHIBIT ILLUSTATING EASEMENT ADDITIONAL 14 FOOT EA~ '/ 1 '/ WIDENING OF LIONS PARK DRIVE TO 30 FEET CHURCH PROPERTY LINE Z E,l'r:, ~u / ITEM 6.7. MEMORANDUM iver To.. FROM: Planning Commission Steven B. Ach, City Planner_~5/~ DATE: August 27, 1996 SUBJECT: Conditional Use Permit Request by Central Lutheran Church, Public Hearing Case No. CU 96-22 Request Central Lutheran Church is requesting a conditional use permit to expand their parking area at the existing church along School Street and Lions' Park Drive. Location The southwest corner of School Street and Lions' Park Drive (1103 School Street). Zoning/Land Use R4 (Multi-Family Residential) / HR (High Density Residential) Attachments · Memo from City Engineer dated August 19, 1996 · Location map · Zoning map · Proposed development plans Overview Central Lutheran Church has a facility of approximately 16,000 square feet and an existing parking area along the west and south sides of their building. The church also uses the easterly portion of the site for parking; however, this area is unimproved at this time. Central Lutheran Church is proposing to upgrade the eastern portion of the site to accommodate the additional parking demands as well as providing parking that will be needed for the church's future addition to the building. The proposed parking 13065 Or(moParkwav'P.O Box 490 . Elk River, MN 55330 ' (612) 441-7420 ° Fax: (612) 441-7425 Memo to the Planning Commission Page 2 August 27, 1996 facility would be developed and improved in accordance with the City's current performance standards which include curb and gutter, bituminous surface and landscaping. The required landscaping will be based upon the eastern half of the property where the parking area is proposed. When the church comes before the City with the building expansion, the balance of the site will be addressed. The new parking area would involve relocating an existing driveway that currently accesses School Street directly north of the church. This driveway will be relocated further to the east and the existing driveway closed with the curb and gutter along School Street being installed to match the existing condition. It is also proposed to have an access onto Lions' Park Drive to~vards the southeast portion of the parking area. This additional access point would allow options for people both arriving and departing from the weekly church service and other events at the church. The new parking area would include a total of 168 parking stalls. The existing parking area has a total of 212 parking stalls, giving the church a total of 380 parking stalls. It appears as though the church has opportunities to expand their parking area if they need to in the future, along with their anticipated building expansion. Lions' Park Drive Lions' Park Drive is currently a 26 foot wide paved roadway that provides access to Lions' Park, Dove Tree Apartments and now, Central Lutheran Church. Staff has some concerns with the condition and design of Lions' Park Drive and its ability to adequately serve this area over the long term. Ideally, this roadway should be considered for improvement including curb and gutter, as well as the street width increased to accommodate the trnf-ac demands. It has also been mentioned in the past by the fire department the need to improve the corner of Lions' Park Drive as it extends south and then heads west. The corner is currently a 90 degree turn with very sharp radius, making it clff-ficult to maneuver a large emergency vehicle. Therefore, staff is recommending that as part of the parking lot expansion, the church grant a 10 foot easement along the west edge of Lions' Park Drive that would allow the City to widen Lions' Park Drive within the 40 feet it currently owns and have additional space for drainage and utility purposes, as well as snow storage. In addition, to correct the sharp curve at the end of Lions' Park Drive, it is recommended that a triangular easement be granted to allow the driveway's radius to be increased, improving the opportunity for emergency vehicles to maneuver the sharp corner. The area that is needed is a triangular piece of property at the very southeast corner of about 800 square feet. s:\planning\pc\cu96-22.doc Memo to the Planning Comnnssion Page 3 August 27, 1996 Drainage and Utilities Please refer to Terry Maurer's memo dated August 19, 1996, for his comments relating to the drainage and utilities proposed with this parking lot expansion. Recommendation It is recommended the Planning Commission recommend approval of the conditional use permit for Central Lutheran Church to expand their parking lot facility with the following conditions: The church grant to the City additional easement along the west side of Lions' Park Drive as well as at the southeast corner of their property to allow the future improvements to Lions' Park Drive. Landscaping be provided in accordance with the City's performance standards based on that area that is being improved at this time. Ali areas disturbed be properly sodded or seeded, whichever is needed to prevent erosion from occurring. The proposed access onto Lions' Park Drive should have the curb and gutter terminate at the church's easterly property hne. Comments outhned in Terry Maurer's memo dated August 19, 1996, be incorporated into the plans for approval. Prior to commencing work on the parking lot, revised plans reflecting the conditions for approval be provided to the City. Proper erosion control be installed prior to construction of the parking area. s:\planning\p c\cu96-22.doc CONS[LTINGENGINEERS 1326 Energy Park Drive St. Paul, MN 55108 612-644-4389 1-800-888-2923 Fax: 612-644-9446 August 19, 1996 File: 230-339-11 Mr. Steve Ach City Planner City of Elk River 13065 Orono Parkway P.O. Box 490 Elk River, MN 55330-0490 CENTRAL LUTHERAN CHURCH PARKING LOT EXPANSION Dear Mr. Ach: CiViL ~NGiNEERING [NV!R©NMENTAL SOLO WASTE STRUCTURAL SURVE'rqNG TRAFFIC TRANSPORTATION ELECTRICAL/MECHANICAL ENGINEERING: HVAC ~OWER 3!STRIBUTIGN SCADA SYSTEt,~ CONTROLS OFFICES IN: ,NNEAPOLIS PRIOR LAKE ST. PAUL WASECA As you requested, we have reviewed the submittal from Central Lutheran Church regarding their proposed parking lot expansion. The plan we reviewed was prepared by Vanman Companies, and was dated August 1, 1996. Based on our review, we would offer the following comments. In the southern part of the parking lot, a new concrete island ties the new parking lot into the old parking lot. The curvature of the concrete curb and gutter on the north side runs directly into a parking stall. We would suggest that the driving width between the existing curb and the new island be narrowed by bringing the curb line into the outer edge of the parking stall. At the north side, there is a note of a temporary bituminous sidewalk. We assume in the future this would become a permanent concrete sidewalk. We also suggest that concrete sidewalk should continue along the eastern side of the church and the southern side leading to the main entrance. This would provide a pedestrian path for the people parking at the eastern edge of the parking lot. At the staff review meeting, the width of Lions Park Drive was discussed. It would be appropriate to try and acquire additional right-of-way along the west side of Lions Park Drive from Central Lutheran Church in an effort to widen the roadway. If the roadway is unable to be widened, we would suggest the driveway and/or the radii of the driveway onto Lions Park Drive be widened to facilitate turning movements. We would suggest that drainage into the pond be accomplished with catch basins and small diameter pipe. Our experience with rip-rap and concrete spillways is that eventually erosion occurs at these locations. An Equal Opportunity Employer Mr. Steve Ach August 19, 1996 Page Two o It is unclear as to how stormwater runoff is anticipated to leave the stormwater retention pond. They show a rip-rap overflow in the comer; however, the grading for the pond would indicate that, once the pond overtops, it will overtop in several directions at 995. Also, Lions Park Drive surrounds the pond. This indicates that the overtopping of the pond will also overtop Lions Park Drive. More detail needs to be provided on how it is anticipated the pond will work. o The light fixtures for the new parking lot are shown in the parking area. It may be a better idea to place as many light fixtures as possible in the concrete islands to avoid damage from cars or maintenance vehicles. If you have any questions regarding any of these comments, please call. Sincerely, MSA, CONSULTING ENGINEERS Terry J. Maurer, P.E. TJM :db 339-1411.aug t 78'Eh &/ ~ LOCATION City of Ell~'~River MAP ~,o~, o.~o~. ~.o. ~o~ ~,o c,,s~:¢U q6-z.~, Elk River, MN 55330 SWF= ~  ZONING o~ ~,~ MAP Ell~'~River ~0~o~o~o~w~.~.o.~o~o o~s~: G t~ ql~-2. Z Elk River, MN 55.330 ~..,:. ' :. ;';{. ;~.=?_:.~Z.Z ,.-,.:--": .;:-_.':z~2::,~:Z,:.; ' ; .::-'-..:.-:-:'Z:~:~:: ":~:':~.~....- " siTE