HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-10-28 NAC Memorandum to OPH RE Proposed USPS Bldg.NI INC
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riO RTHWEST ASSOCIATED Co N S U LTANTS
COM M U N !TY PLANNING - DESIGN - MARKET RESEARCH
MEMORANDUM
TO: Tom Melena, City Administrator
FROM: Cindy Sherman/Scott Richards
DATE: October 28, 1999
RE: Oak Park Heights-U.S. Post Office Carrier Annex
FILE NO 798.02-99.14
The City has received an application for site plan review from the U.S. Postal
Service for construction of a distribution/sorting facility. The site is located on the
west side of Highway 5, on the northwest corner of Memorial Dr. and 55 Street
North.
The property, which is approximately 5.5 acres in size is zoned B-3 and
government buildings are a permitted use. The Comprehensive Plan calls for
Highway Business/Warehouse. This use is consistent.
This facility requires the use of at least two different Grade 1 or 11 materials and is
to be composed of at least 65 percent of these materials. Not more than 35
percent Grade 111 or IV materials may be used. It appears that construction is
proposed with a combination of Grade land 11 materials. However, the color and
description of the materials has not been specified in enough detail to determine
if they actually meet the requirements. The building is large with little articulation
provided on any of wall areas and limited change in the rooflines. We don't
believe they meet the intent of the architecture standards in the design
guidelines.
Parking lot lighting locations are identified but no detail on fixtures or foot-candies
is provided. There are lights shown on the building but no detail is provided.
5775 WAYZATA BOULEVARD, SUITE 555 ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA 554 1 6
PHONE 61 2-595-9636 FAX 61 2-595-9837 E-MAIL NAC@ WINTERNET.COM
Memo to Tom Melena
Page 2
in
A complete landscaping plan has been provided and reviewed by Katherine
Widin, Municipal Arborist. The comments outlined in her memo date 10/19
(attached) should be incorporated into the recommendation.
Engineering
Comments by Joe Anderlik dated 10/15 (attached) should be incorporated into
the recommendation. He also points out that there is an easement under the
proposed building that needs to be vacated.
Parkin ./Access
Two one-way drive accesses with a separate snorkel for drop off mail boxes are
proposed off of Memorial Dr. Parking for 43 vehicles is shown with expansion
area identified. It appears USPS vehicles will be stored indoors. Parking
required for post office in the ordinance is 1 space per 400 sq. ft. + 1 per
employee. The required parking for the production/office area at 1/400 is 45
vehicles.
in /trash
Loading docks are shown on the south side of the building. Existing vegetation
and proposed spruce trees will help screen this area but no berming is provided.
No detail is provided on rooftop equipment. It appears that trash will all be
handled within the building.
algaao
A monument sign is identified on the Memorial Dr. frontage and detail is provided
in the plan package. The detail has a range of sizes from 4 - x 4'-8 1/8" to 6'-
8 7/8" x 9 ". However, they do not identify which detail they propose. The
ordinance would allow up to 32 square feet of sign area. They also depict a
temporary construction sign 4'x8' in area which is permitted.
Fencing
The plan shows an 8' chain link fence with 3 strings of barbed wire on top along
55 and adjacent to the parking area along the front of the site. The ordinance
restricts fencing to 6 feet along street frontage and barbed wire fences require a
CUR
If you have any questions regarding this review please contact Cindy or Steve.
pc: Kris Danielson