Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-08-02 NAC Planning Reporthl NORTHWEST ASSOCIATED CONSULTANTS INC COMMUNITY PLANNING - DESIGN - MARKET RESEARCH PLANNING REPORT TO: Tom Melena FROM: Bob Kirmis/Scott Richards DATE: August 2, 2001 FILE NO: 798.02 - 01.06 BACKGROUND Attached for reference: Exhibit A - Site Location Exhibit B Site Plan (Phase 1) Exhibit C - Site Plan (Phase 2) Exhibit D - Grading and Drainage Plan Exhibit E Utility Plan Exhibit F - Landscape Plan Exhibit G Building Elevations Exhibit H Floor Plan Exhibit 1- Lighting Plan Exhibit J - Steetscape Elements Exhibit K City Arborist Comments Exhibit L City Engineer Comments RE: Oak Park Heights — Sigstad's Carpet- Conditional use Permit and Site Plan Review Greystone Construction of behalf of Sigstad's Carpet has requested site plan approval to allow the construction of a 27,885 square foot, four-tenant retail facility upon a 2.2 acre parcel of land located south of 60 Street North and west of Oakgreen Avenue. In addition to the request for site plan approval, the applicants have also requested approval of a conditional use permit to allow flexibility from the City's off-street parking supply requirements. The building is proposed to be developed in two phases with the northerly 24,979 square feet of the building (comprising three tenant spaces) being constructed initially. The subject property is zoned CBD, Central Business and was included in the Central Business District Urban Design Study. As a result, the recently adopted Central Business District Design Guidelines apply to the proposed development. 5775 WAYZATA BOULEVARD, SUITE 555 ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA 55 1 6 PHONE 6 1 2-595-9636 FAX 6 1 2-595-9837 E-MAIL NAC@ WINTERNET.COM ISSUES ANALYSIS Comprehensive Plan. The subject property is designated as CBD, Central Business District by the Oak Park Heights Comprehensive Plan. The purpose of the CBD designation is to provide a focal point for the community in terms of retail, service and entertainment businesses as well as residential opportunities. As such, the CBD zoning designation and proposed retail commercial use are consistent with the Comprehensive Plan. Zoning. Within CBD zoning Districts, retail sales are listed as permitted uses. Phasing. As previously indicated, the 27,885 square foot building is proposed to be developed in two phases with the northerly 24,979 square feet of the building (comprising three tenant spaces) being constructed initially. Such phasing plan responds to a need to provide on -site stormwater ponding on an interim basis (until hook up to the municipal stormwater system is possible). The inclusion of such ponding feature also responds to a directive of the Central Business District Urban Design Study. While this report shall address issues associated with Phase 2 development, such future phase will be required to proceed through the Site Plan Review process. Central Business District Design Guidelines. In October of 1999, the City adopted a master plan for the Central Business District in an effort to create a pedestrian friendly, mixed -use district. To aid in the implementation of the goals and policies of such plan, specific design guidelines for the CBD were developed. The proposed development will therefore be reviewed in regard to its consistency with such guidelines as referenced below: Precinct Designation The design guidelines establish four precincts within the CBD; the Medium -Box Mixed Use Precinct, the Small Box Mixed Use Precinct, the Residential Precinct and the Public Green Precinct. The subject property lies within the Medium Box Precinct that is intended to provide transitional changes between the big box development and the small box development proposed south of the site. 2 Development Context and Character The design guidelines state that buildings within the medium box precinct should relate to the character of small box development via building scale and height, building material colors, horizontal lines and architectural styles and details. The guidelines further state that buildings should form gateways and pillars to other precincts. The proposed structure is to be finished in a combination of materials. The majority of the building is to be finished in Tight brown brick with dark brown rock face block being provided at the base of the structure. A dark brown cornice has been proposed to "cap the building The building appears to satisfy an intent of the guidelines by providing features that relate to small box development. The use of false second story windows is also considered a positive design feature by creating a more intimate scale than what would otherwise exist with standard big box development. One concern, which does exist in regard to the building character, is the large, uninterrupted expanses of brick on the north side of the building. To create a more intimate scale that relates to the west side of the building and improves visual interest, it is suggested that variations in color in such areas be provided. The specific acceptability of the proposed building materials will be addressed in the "Building Materials" section of this report. Building Setbacks There are no minimum setback requirements imposed in the CBD District. The design guidelines however, state that limited setbacks (10 to 15 feet) will be permitted along 60 Street. Since the adoption of the guidelines, it has been found that a 40 foot utility easement exists along the south side of 60 Street. As a result, compliance with the limiting setback directive will not be possible. The proposed building is provided a 57 foot setback from 60 Street and an 81 foot setback from the unnamed future street to the west. Considering that the referenced utility easement makes strict compliance with the setback guideline problematic, the proposed building setbacks are considered acceptable. Building Width According to the design guidelines, buildings in the medium box precinct should exhibit facades that do not have long and flat continuous planes. Staggering the facades of the individual tenant spaces and providing columnar elements to the building facades have satisfied this guideline. 3 Building Height The CBD zoning district establishes a maximum building height of 35 feet. The design guidelines state only that building height should vary between 2 and 3 stories. At 20 feet in height, it is debatable whether this design standard has been satisfied. Considering however that the intent of the directive has been achieved by providing false second story windows, the proposed 20 foot building height is considered acceptable. Building Materials The design guidelines state that buildings should be constructed of authentic materials such as wood, brick, stone, cast stone, stucco or pour in place concrete. Accent materials may include metal, glass, block, copper flashing or similar materials. As noted previously, a variety of building finish materials have been proposed including jumbo brick, rock face block (CMU's) and glass. Generally, such materials are considered satisfactory. Because however, the design guidelines specifically prohibit the use of jumbo brick, an alternative material (consistent with such guidelines) should be substituted (i.e. standard brick). Colors The design guidelines state that buildings should employ earth tones or muted colors and that light and bright colors should be used only as minor accents. The proposed building is to finished in light brown and dark brown colors with light blue and pale green awnings. Thus, the colors are considered consistent with the design guidelines. Walkways According to the design guidelines, sidewalks within medium box precincts should be at least 8 feet wide along building frontage and a minimum sidewalk width of 6 feet should be provided along 60 street. While the submitted site plan illustrates a sidewalk along the future unnamed street to the west, the sidewalk along 60 street is shown as a future improvement. As a condition of site plan approval, the site plan should be revised to illustrate (and the applicant should be responsible for the construction of) a 6 foot wide sidewalk along 60 street. Streets As noted on the submitted site plan, a new street is to be constructed to the west of the subject site. The design guidelines call for a specific street design that incorporates a sidewalk, lighting and street trees at either side of the roadway. The City will be responsible for the construction of the yet to be named street (see Exhibit J). 4 Lighting The design guidelines state that lighting should be designed to reduce glare and be in scale with the surrounding buildings and that pedestrian scale lighting, not more than 14 feet high, should be located on walkways, trailways and adjacent to store entrances. For parking lot lighting, fixtures must be in scale with their surroundings with cutoff fixtures located below the mature height of trees in parking lot islands. As shown on the submitted lighting plan, two 25 foot high light fixtures have been proposed along the site's western boundary. Because on- street lighting will be provided along the eastern side of the unnamed street, it is recommended that the parking lot fixtures be relocated to the eastern side of the parking lot (along the west side of the building). Such lighting should complement the design of the building and be hooded and directed such that the source of the light is not visible from adjacent properties and rights -of -way. In addition to the freestanding fixtures, wall mounted fixtures have been proposed on the north, east, and west sides of the building. Such fixtures are considered acceptable. Landscaping The design guidelines strongly encourage site landscaping to enhance storefront entries and blank walls. Landscaping is further encouraged to screen dumpsters and off - street parking areas. The submitted landscape plan calls for a variety of on -site plantings on the north and west sides of the site. While the plan will be subject to detailed review and comment by the City Arborist (see attached Exhibit K), the following supplemental comments are offered. • When comparing the Phase 1 and Phase 2 plans, the Amur Maple tree along the south property line is shown in two different locations. It is suggested that tree be located consistent with the Phase 2 development plan. e While specified as proposed plantings along the unnamed street, a "GA" tree designation is not provided in the plant schedule. This should be corrected. 6 To compliment the visual appearance of the building, it is suggested that pavement cut out areas be provided near the main entrance, within which small trees or shrubs may be planted. 5 Use Ordinance Requirement Required Spaces Retail Store (Phase '1) 24,979 x .9 = 22,481 sf 1 space per 200 square feet 112 Retail Store (Phase 2) 27,885 x .9 = 25,097 sf 1 space per 200 square feet 125 Access. Ultimately, the subject site will be accessed via two points from the future unnamed street to the west. On an interim basis and subject to MnDot and City approval, access will be provided from the north from 60 Street. According to the site plan, the site's northernmost access from the unnamed street lies approximately 67 feet south of 60 Street North. As noted on attached Exhibit L, the City Engineer has recommended that a minimum access separation of 150 feet be provided from 60 Street. Based on informal discussions with the City Engineer ineer however, some compromise on the access spacing recommendation is anticipated. Parking Lot Dimensions. All off - street parking stalls and drives aisles have been found to comply with minimal dimensional requirements of the ordinance. Site Circulation. Generally, the proposed site circulation for Phase 1 and Phase 2 development appear well conceived and function well. There are however, a number of concerns that should be addressed as summarized below. • On the Phase 2 plan, a row end curb barrier should be provided on the northern end of the parking stalls located in the southeast corner of the site. • On the Phase 2 plan, the two off- street parking spaces in the southeast corner of the site should be eliminated and replaced with green area. Such modification will eliminate an awkward vehicular backing maneuver. Off-street Parking Supply. As previously indicated, the applicants have requested a conditional use permit to allow a reduction from the off - street parking supply requirements of the Ordinance. This is considered with the CBD Urban Design Study that emphasizes more on- street parking and cross utilization of parking consistent with a downtown area. As shown below the ordinance requires a total of 112 off - street parking spaces for Phase 1 of the retail facility and 125 spaces for Phase 2. The applicants are proposing to provide 69 spaces for Phase 1 and 75 spaces for Phase 2. As part of the Central Business District Design Study, it is suggested that uses within the Central Business District provide not less than three off-street parking spaces per 1,000 square feet of floor area. Utilizing this requirement, Phase 1 would be required to provide 67 parking stalls while Phase 2 would be required to provide 77 stalls. Thus, 5 Phase 2 development would be required to provide an additional two off - street parking stalls. Regardless of whether the parking supply suggestions of the design study have been satisfied, the processing of a conditional use permit is necessary as such suggestions have yet to be formally adopted as part of the Zoning Ordinance. To avoid the processing of similar conditional use permits in the future, the City should consider an amendment that would establish the design study's off - street parking guideline as an actual ordinance requirement. Snow Removal. Some question exists as to whether, as part of Phase 2 development whether adequate area exists on site to accommodate snow storage. if snow is to be stored on site, the submitted site or landscape plan should be modified to illustrate areas intended for snow storage. Grading and Drainage. As shown on the submitted grading and drainage plan, a stormwater pond has been proposed in the southeast corner of the site (as part of Phase 1 development.) Such pond must be subject to approval by both the Watershed District and City Engineer. Grading and drainage issues (including those related to stormwater ponding) shall be subject to review and comment by the City Engineer. Utilities. Utility related issues shall be subject to review and comment by the City Engineer. Signage. Specific signage plans have yet to be submitted. As a condition of site plan approval, all site signage must meet the signage requirements of the Ordinance and design guidelines. Site signage should however, be designed in a manner considered compatible with and complementary to the design of the proposed building. Trash. A single trash enclosure has been proposed in the southeast area of the site. As part of Phase 2 development, the enclosure wilt be relocated from the south side of the building to the east side of the Phase 2 addition. The applicant will need to specify details of the enclosure construction (height, color etc.) as a condition of site plan approval. Loading. As shown on the submitted site plan, four loading spaces have been proposed on the east side of the building. While the location of the spaces dictates that such spaces may be accessed via a one -way circulation route, ample area does exist to accommodate turning maneuvers in both the Phase 1 and Phase 2 designs. Development Agreement. A development agreement between the applicants and the City will be required as part of the approvals subject to City Attorney and City Council review and approval. All aspects of the agreement including the payment of assessments related to standard utility construction shall be additional conditions of approval for the proposed development. 7 CONCLUSION/RECOMMENDATION Based on the preceding review, our office believes the development proposal satisfies the intentions of the of the Central Business District Design Guidelines and therefore recommends the following: A. Site Plan approval to allow the construction of a two phase, 27,885 square foot retail building upon the subject site subject to the following conditions: 1. The City approve a conditional use permit to allow the proposed off - street parking supply. 2. Proposed Phase 2 development shall be subject to site plan review procedures as established by Ordinance and the CBD Design Guidelines. 3. To improve visual interest, the large wall expanses on the north building elevation be modified to provide a variation in color. 4. An alternative to jumbo brick, consistent with the CBD Design Guidelines (i.e. standard brick), be substituted as an exterior finish material. 5. The site plan shall be revised to illustrate a 6 foot wide sidewalk along 60 Street. The applicants shall be responsible for the construction of such sidewalk. 6. The freestanding light fixtures along the site's western boundary be relocated to the eastern side of the parking lot (along the west side of the building). 7. All site lighting is hooded and directed such that the source of the light is not visible from surrounding properties and rights -of -way. 8. The submitted Landscape Plan is subject to review and approval by the City Arborist. 9. The Landscape Plan be revised to illustrate the Amur Maple tree be located along the south property line in a consistent location (on both the Phase 1 and Phase 2 development plans). 10. The Landscape Plan is revised such that the "GA" tree designation is referenced on the Plant Schedule 11.To compliment the visual appearance of the building, pavement cut out areas be provided near the main entrance, within which small trees or shrubs shall be planted. 8 12.The City Engineer provide comment and recommendation in regard to access - related issues. 13.On the Phase 2 plan, a row end curb barrier be provided on the northern end of the parking stalls located in the southeast corner of the site. 14.On the Phase 2 plan, the two off- street parking spaces in the southeast corner of the site be eliminated and replaced with green area. 15.1f snow is to be stored on site, the submitted landscape plan be modified to illustrate snow storage areas. 16.The City Engineer provide comment and recommendation in regard to grading and drainage issues. 17.The City Engineer provide comment and recommendation in regard to utility issues. 18. Details relating to the trash enclosure construction (ie. height, color etc) be specified. 19. Ail site signage meet the requirements of the Ordinance. Such signage shall however be designed in a manner consistent with and complementary to the design of the building. B. Approval of a conditional use permit to allow an off - street parking supply Tess than that required by ordinance subject to the following conditions: 1. The City finds that the project is consistent with the CUP criteria found in Section 401 .30.E of the Zoning Ordinance. 2. All off-street parking stalls meet the minimum dimensional requirements of the Ordinance. 9 NMI 11 . rilakii IMI 1PM m11111111 liiiit. on ma im swam 1111 VA - I" az irMIIII itra at.% ..:„... 1111101 =95,),Niii.111 71 111. 11.011111 I 11 : jblinu m El li a - r ---- 11 "Asia -04 216 — NN AlEn • thin ILU 9 is fir 11 tra rattiwavo Amu sa111111 ausition a UMW Irina ; r I z roriP I' • 1 MINN 1 IT in 1 ' 1111 CMALUd 411 !!!10 illi „111111m..,"911 --mon 10... iiimnig 4, 1 11111111 111111111 1 111111111111 1111111 . 1 11 1 1 11 111 111491ill 1111111E111 0 IV Mi 1 1 i 11 11111111111 ---,PIM 1111 !! 11 11111411 • HE 1!!1:! 11II1iI1IdI 11Z 11 : 1 11 1 C11 111111 11111 11111111 11 1 11 1 :1 1 1 1 : 11 11 1; 111 1; IL . 0 4 „g 111111i4.111 1 11111141 i tt i lt 111 1 1 1111 ' 111 1 11111101111 w 1.11"11, f 42' 1 1 1 1111:1 1 EIBB ZIDMILI 1 111111 111111 1 1 1 , 11 a 1 1 1 1 1 1 W 1 911 ITt!!! 111111 11111 11411 „ 1 1 1 :1 11„ MI I I ! 1 1 11 11 1 i ll 11 111111111111 111111111111 114% 11111 , 1, 0 1-51 , 11 ,1101„16 1111 11 1 1 11 1111111111 4 11 1 111!111I1 111111011 111111111111 11111111110 111111111 111 1 1 :: 11 11 1 1 1 :1 1 :1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1111111 1 11111 1111 Hon 111111 111111 111 Mil 1 1 1 1 , 1 1 11 1 1 11111 1 1111111 11111111111 1111 1111111 111 '"" 11 1 1 111111 1111110111 " 1: zlimpul Exhibit A Site Location NOIJV/\313 V ±O NNIW ` "51N >l'aVd >'O ID.:re v CIVI 915 J ti 1 8 x Q p 0 0 2 9T 9 J:D4aLG aGWVNNfl W 0 M N z 0 6 NQ11V/ 1 VIO5DNNf W 51H 71"e1Vd 7fVO ZO' SE M “17I.,Z9010 N w n 2 JAI W w {C: 0 m W w W � -- m ro m V 6 1� m n- w m w i92): D z 0 W 01.111, ler o.rs I 9 -5r 1� a ›- it 7 li sl] U 0, a sd3FLLO AB a3AQIdYtl 38 of c 1Od r ___ -- - - - -- r r — �.•_ShO Va V.in �lg ��_— dg .. frr� w iff A c 1 1 1 0 - 0 ! 1 ell 4e144 Ai$81 i410 0 gars - §. 4 V 5 bah ;h 4 U T h gg sda r, 93'� Vra nnnn V n I!" s a r i a ' 31 a Er 41 o f! j ! fl j Ia to af r: iht2 y , s 111-1 I r „, ) Ir. 11 a A / All 1 '�■ � � .,! i 01t 3 R6 ; 1:A4 ! ■ Asi 9 $ a k3 S 5 41 £�Y A al 0 U z 0 W z U' A t»�vresusu xre s,^rs� w tcsss :�,orra 1£F'S: 7 W v��✓31y ' S �✓'Y �✓ OCi41 sp@pL3iV Jeuu f mnea 0 111 u li orw rii 1 . Sil L_ 1[IitldYiDD H0117f1131SHOa SNQIIVA2 12 YIOSANN1H ''S LH >I?'/d >IVO 1�GlZ!'d9 C V15915 11 M. IS L u 1 A!:tld1iDD IiDLL�l7 }I15l:OD MK1111Q1r7.IC1 NV1 iOO1d 'd10SANNiH ` >ieib'd >IVO 1adZ1ViD Qv_iS9Ig sT3a1! u3Jy J U U t1 P!Ae❑ / 0 — 1 a C� rvJ .ol x .a --� h I z 7 o f 0 • 41 ii g lz NOIIVADig V1052NN11^1 IH 71 W0 19.1v") OVIG9IG 2 iji nsvi p 05 "i 4 1. ij I HI cia^m\INn (((e10 - ,\. • .000001000. 6 0 5 z .c( 1 IL z Z I- 4' _I 0 7 .,• Landscaped buffer strip •Pedestrian-scale lighting •Special paving •Railing •Ornamental wall •Landscaping Exhibit J Streetscape Elements NAC From: "l (D. idin" <kwidin mmmpcc.crg> To: <srichards @ nacplanning.com> Sent: Friday, July 27, 2001 10:28 PM Subject: Sigstad Carpet - Landscape Plan Scott - I have reviewed the landscape plan for Sigstad Carpet and have the following comments: 1. Frontage on 60th St.: The bicolor oaks are fine except that there may be an issue by the frontage road with overhead power lines. If the oaks will be planted within 20 feet of the lines they should be moved to the west planting area to replace some of the lindens. Trees within 20 feet of the lines should be smaller ornamental trees. There is quite a bit of frontage on 60th St. and the Design Guidelines for the Central Business District state that street trees should be planted no more than 30 feet apart. The City would like to see more trees planted along 60th St. and these should be small stature trees such as flowering crabapples (PrairieFire, 'Profusion' and 'Indian Magic' are good varieties). If planted approximately 30 feet on center there should be room for six trees along the frontage. There are too many ginnala maple shrubs planted along the frontage. By replacing some of these with trees, the number of maple shrubs will be reduced. The City would prefer to see the shrubs on the frontage planted in more staggered or clumped groupings rather than a straight line. 2. Parking Lot and Entrance Areas: I would not recommend using tree -form ginnala maples in the median extensions for the parking lot. There are enough ginnalas elsewhere already and the clumps will get too big for the site and hang into the parking area, obscuring lines of sight. I would recommend Japanese Tree Lilacs to replace the ginnala trees in the 3 locations shown. The Jap. tree lilac is more resistant to de -icing salts and will not get as big as the ginnala. It would help to soften the facade of the building if there were a few planting areas with small trees and shrubs in pavement cut -outs near the main entrance. The burning bushes and red chokeberries are o.k. in the locations depicted. 3. West Side Planting: I would recommend the use of Tilia americana ('Redmond') instead of the littleleaf lindens. There are more girdling root problems with Tilia cordata and they will not be as long -lived in the landscape. The 'Patmore ash are fine (should 'GA' on landscape plan be 'PA'?). The 'Gold spirea are fine in the locations depicted. I would recommend that the ginnala shrubs on the west side be replaced with something like dwarf bushhoneysuckle (Dierviia lonicera). More diversity in the landscape will enhance the longevity of the project. We are seeing more Acer ginnala invading natural areas in Minnesota now because of their Page 1 of 2 Exhibit K -City Arborist Comments widespread use and copious seed production. 4. Planting Detail - Why are trees set in with 1/3 of root hall above grade? Is that to compensate for nursery stock having roots too deep in the bail? Often the balls which are planted high don't get covered adequately by soil and mulch and the roots dry out. only plant trees that high if soil is heavy clay and there are drainage problems. Back-fill soil should consist of at least 1/2 soil from the site rather than 1/3 as .listed in Landscape Notes. Kathy Widin idin Municipal Arborist City of Oak Park Heights Page 2 of 2 7/30/2001 NAC From: "Pastier, Dennis M" <dpostler@bonestroo.com> To: "Kris Danielson (E- mail)" <kdanielson @cityofoakparkheights.com> Cc: "Thomas M. Melena (E- mail)" <tmelena @cityofoakparkheights.com >; "Kimberly Kamper (E- mail)" < kkamper @cityofoakparkheights.com >; "Jay Johnson (E- mail)" <jjohnson @cityotoakparkheights.com >; "Jim Butler (E- mail)" < jbutler @cityotoakparkheights.com >; "Judy Hoist (E- mail)" <jholst @ cityotoakparkheights.com >; "Mark Vierling (E- mail)" <mvierling @ eckberglammers.com >; "Scott Richards (E- mail)" <srichards @ nacplanning.com >; "Katharine D. Widin (E- mail)" <kwidin @ mmmpcc.org >; "Shimon, Karen S" <kshimon @ bonestroo.com> Sent: Wednesday, July 25, 2001 8:02 AM Subject: Sigstad Carpets -- CBD Kris: I will not be able to attend this morning's site plan review meetrg. I have been able to give the Sigstad Carpets site plan a cursory review, and have a few comments /questions for you. My comments differ depending on whether this is being considered a "stand- alone" development or truly part of the overall CBD development plan. As stand alone development (which this site plan depicts, other than providing for the future street to the south) : * The sanitary sewer and water main service locations are acceptable where shown. I would recommend review by the Fire Department to verify adequate fire protection (hydrant coverage). * It is assumed that the existing sanitary sewer and water main that runs along the north side of the property are encompassed by utility easements, and as such, we would not recommend site improvements being proposed within this area. If improvements (parking lot) are allowed, we would recommend that the developers agreement specifically state that should these utilities require maintenance at any time in the future, it will be the developers/owner's responsibility to restore any surface improvements (parking lot, landscaping, etc...) at their cost. * I would recommend that the proposed northerly driveway be a minimum of 150' from the 60th Street North intersection, particularly if this street is to be part of the CBD street circulation plan and separate left and right turn lanes might be required. • The storm pond being provided is probably adequate for this site (we would need to see storm water runoff calculations and a drainage area map) As part of the CBD Development: Much more "bigger picture" development analysis is needed to see how this site fits in to the overall CBD development. * The side street needs to be reviewed for alignment, grades, and width (turn lanes) . * We had envisioned sanitary sewer and water main, and possibly some street storm sewer, within this side street to serve parts of the CBD (see comment above re: driveway location and turning lanes) * The storm water ponding should be reviewed on a more regional basis. Instead of having a large number of small individual site ponds, the CBD's storm water ponding scenario under the Xcel Energy high lines would seem a better overall ponding scenario for individual sites to drain to. Page 1 of 2 Exhibit L m City Engineer Comments