HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-10-14 NAC Memorandum ' • •
NAC NORTHWEST ASSOCIATED CONSULTANTS, INC.
4800 Olson Memorial Highway, Suite 202, Golden Valley, MN 55422
Telephone: 763.231.2555 Facsimile: 763.231.2561 planners @nacplanning.com
MEMORANDUM
TO: Eric Johnson
FROM: Scott Richards
DATE: October 14, 2008
RE: Oak Park Heights — City Hall Preliminary Land Use /Zoning Review
FILE NO: 798.04 — 08.03
As per your request, I have reviewed the preliminary land use and zoning issues related
to approvals for the new City Hall and related site improvements. The numbers listed
here are very preliminary, based upon the concept plans that have been submitted to
date. These are all subject to change as the plans are refined. A listing of those issues
is as follows:
Comprehensive Plan. The Proposed Land Use Map of the 2008 Comprehensive Plan
indicates the existing City Hall and parking lots as Government Facilities. The area to
the north, where the new City Hall is located, is designated for Park Facilities /Open
Space. In that the 2008 plan has not been formally approved by the City Council, the
area designated as Government Facilities would be expanded to include the new City
Hall area. The map would be revised prior to the final adoption of the plan in December
2008.
Zoning. The City Hall and surrounding open areas are zoned 0, Open Space
Conservation. Municipal structures and buildings, as well as parks and recreational
facilities, are a listed permitted use. The public works facility would be an accessory
structure.
Area and Building Size Requirements.
City Hall Property — 0, Open Space Conservation
Required Lot Area Existing Lot Area
5 acres 17.8 acres
Required Lot Width Existing Lot Width
200 feet 200 feet + ++
Required Building Height Proposed Building Height
35 feet (see below)
V . .
City Hall Property — 0, Open Space Conservation
SETBACKS — CITY HALL
Required Front Yard Proposed Front Yard
50 feet City Hall — NA
Required Side Yard Proposed Side Yard
30 feet 30 feet + ++ on all sides
Required Rear Yard Proposed Rear Yard
50 feet City Hall — NA
SETBACKS - ACCESSORY BUILDING — PUBLIC WORKS GARAGE
Required Side Yard Proposed Side Yard
5 feet 35 feet (west)
Required Rear Yard Proposed Rear Yard
8 feet Public Works - NA
The new City Hall building and the addition to the public works garage will meet all
Zoning Ordinance setback requirements.
Building Height. For principal buildings (City Hall), the building height maximum
allowed in the 0 District is 35 feet. For accessory buildings (Public Works), the building
height is 17 feet with approval of the Building Official. The City Hall building will be
approximately 30.5 feet from the lowest elevation on the west side to the mid part of the
gable roof. The measurement from that same lowest grade on the west side to the mid
point of the rotunda or tower is approximately 34 feet. The building is well within Zoning
Ordinance height requirements.
Parking. City Halls are considered as office buildings for the purpose of calculating
parking requirements. The Zoning Ordinance requires "three (3) spaces plus at least
one space for each two hundred (200) square feet of floor area."
Main Level 12,000 square feet
Lower Level (Parking
Area Subtracted) 8,266 square feet
Total 20,266 square feet
20,266 X .9 = 18,239 = 91 + 3 = 94 parking spaces required
The site plan indicates the following parking to be provided:
Surface Parking 55
Below Grade Parking — City /Police 9
Proof of Parking 57
Parking Spaces Provided 121
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With the proof of parking area, the parking requirements are met. The City Council
should consider how many stalls will be adequate to meet the needs of this facility
versus how many should be shown as proof of parking.
Approvals Process.
1. A conditional use permit for the open storage area on the west side of the
property could be required. The storage area is set back 20 feet from the
property line which is in compliance with Zoning Ordinance setbacks. Solid or
board -on -board wood fencing or a masonry wall around the storage yard would
be required.
2. Site Plan Review. The City Council may want the Planning Commission to
comment on the site plan.
3. Design Guidelines Review. The City Council may want the Planning
Commission to comment on the building and site design.
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Scott Richards
From: "Randy Engel" < randy _engel @buetowarchitects.com>
To: <srichards @nacplanning.com>
Cc: "Eric A. Johnson" < eajohnson @cityofoakparkheights.com>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2008 3:52 PM
Subject: OAK PARK HEIGHTS CITY HALL (BA #0822)
October 13, 2008
TO: SCOTT RICHARDS @ Northwest Associated Consultants @ (763) 231 -2555
1.0 Here is the information you requested:
1.1 The highest portion of the gable- roofed new City Hall is at its west facade and is measured from the westerly grade
to midway up the gable roof = 30.5'+ (grade starts at about 2.5" above the Lower Level floor line).
1.2 The highest portion of the new City Hall Tower (Rotunda) is also measured from the westerly grade to midway up
the City Hall Tower (Rotunda) = 34'+ (measurement of the Tower midway point starts at the roof eave).
1.3 The top of the City Hall Tower (Rotunda) is at 45' above that west grade.
2.0 We also discussed the following and I understand that we reached the following conclusions:
2.1 Extension of existing trails and placement of new trails - The decision as to whether to include them in this project
must come from the City.
2.2 "Proof of Parking" will be shown on the Site Plan document that will be submitted for Planning/Zoning Approval
but grading and removal of trees in those "Proof of Parking" areas will not be required as part of the construction this
project.
2.3 The Public Works Storage and Police Impound areas will be surrounded by chain link fencing that will have
opaque slats to create a screen. Plantings will not be required around those two areas.
2.4 Existing mature trees screen the new paved and parking areas from the east residential properties. New screening
will not be required at the east property line.
2.5 The side yard setback for paving and parking along the east property line is 10 -0 ".
Please review, comment and advise. Please also advise if you take issue with any of the above information.
BUETOW AND ASSOCIATES
Randy L. Engel, RA, AS
Principal -in- Charge
2345 Rice Street, Suite 210
St. Paul, Minnesota 55123
Tel 651 483 -6701
Fax 651 483 -2574
Cellular 952 237 -5932
10/14/2008