HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-04-18 Planner Memorandum f _
NAC H®RTNINIS! A$$OCIA!IO CON$MLTAN!$, INC,
5775 Wayzata Boulevard, Suite 555, St. Louis Park, MN 55416
Telephone: 952.595.9636 Facsimile: 952.595.9837 nac@winternet.com
MEMORANDUM?‘(
TO: Tom Melena
FROM: Scott Richards
DATE: April 18, 2001
RE: Oak Park Heights — Rainbow Fuel Station Conditional Use Permit,
Planned Unit Development Amendment and Sign Variance
FILE NO: 798.02 — 01.01
The Planning Commission, at their April 12, 2001 meeting voted unanimously to
recommend approval of a Conditional Use Permit (CUP), an amendment to the existing
Planned Unit Development (PUD), and a sign variance to allow the construction of a
fuel service center in the parking lot of the existing Oak Park Ponds Shopping Center.
The fuel station will have three fueling pumps, a covered canopy, and a 64 square foot
kiosk to provide customer services.
The Planning Commission discussed in detail the issues with stormwater and potential
fuel spills, the need for an attendant on duty in the kiosk and the request for a sign
variance. Other than the applicants, no one spoke to the requests at the public hearing.
The Planning Commission concluded that both the stormwater catch basin in the
parking lot, as well as the pond outlet will need to be upgraded as recommended by the
City Engineer. The need for a full time attendant was deemed necessary to monitor the
operations of the fuel center, especially as it relates to potential fuel spills. The
applicants are requesting a total of six signs, two fuel price, and four signs on each side
of the canopy with the Rainbow Foods logo. The signs would total 96 square feet. The
ordinance allows for one wall sign not to exceed 150 square feet. The Planning
Commission felt that the hardship for the signage variance was that the fuel center was
not directly adjacent to the public right -of -way and was centrally located within the
shopping center. It was felt that Rainbow should be allowed to identify the fuel center
from each direction, but the canopy could not be painted with franchise colors so as to
make the entire structure a sign. The Planning Commission wanted the canopy to be
painted a neutral color in conformance with the Design Guidelines standards.
The Planning Commission recommended the CUP /PUD and sign variance with minor
changes and clarifications to the conditions listed in the planning report. The revised
conditions are as follows:
1. Both the catch basins and the existing storm water pond shall be improved to
prevent and treat fuel spillages prior to their entrance into the City's system. The
drainage plans shall be subject to the review and approval of the City Engineer.
2. Access to this site is subject to the review and approval of the City Engineer.
3. The landscape plan shall be subject to final review and approval by the City
Arborist.
4. The signs must comply with the standards set forth in Section 401.15.G
and the applicant must receive approval of a variance for the number of signs
requested.
5. The applicant shall submit and receive approval of detailed lighting and
photometric plan that demonstrates that the lights from the proposed canopy are
in conformance with the outdoor lighting standards outlined in Section 401.15.B.7
of the Zoning Ordinance.
6. The applicant shall submit color renderings and material samples that
demonstrate the kiosk and canopy will comply with the design guidelines
standards, including the elimination of all franchise colors of the structures.
7. The City Engineer shall approve the design of the pump islands.
8. Use of an outdoor speaker system is prohibited.
9. Should the applicant request an outdoor storage area, they must apply for and
receive approval of an additional conditional use permit under Section 401.30.E.5
of this Ordinance.
10. The fuel service center must have an attendant on duty in the kiosk during all
hours of operation.
11. The applicant shall designate an off - street loading area in conformance with
Section 401.15.F.12 of the City Code or schedule all gas deliveries during off -
peak hours.
12. The owners of the site property (Lot 2, Block 1, Oak Park Ponds Addition) shall
agree to a future private roadway access from the northeast corner of the
property to the property directly to the east (Outlot A, Brackey 2 Addition).
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13. The applicant shall demonstrate that the site has adequate trash storage. This
area should be inside the proposed building or in a trash enclosure that is
constructed of the same materials as the building.
14. Any other conditions of the Planning Commission, City Council and City staff.
pc: Kris Danielson
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