10-21-2004 Planning Commission Meeting

Home Browse Search

1. The property is located near downtown Pequot Lakes with direct access to Pillsbury Street. Pillsbury Street intersects Highway 371 on the east side of the property. An additional access is proposed along Brunes Street. 2. The current site is used for a car wash. 3. The proposed automobile sales and details use is consistent with the objectives of the Ordinance,which provides for automotive sales and repair facilities as a conditional use in the commercial zone. 4. The neighboring parcels are also used for commercial uses. The north side of the property is an auto sales center,the south side is vacant,the west side is the City water tower and the east side is the highway. 5. The existing impervious surface coverage is 28.5%. The proposed impervious surface coverage is 43.6%. 6. Proposed landscaping includes two mature coniferous trees and a significant number of shrubs. 7. The expanded uses are not expected to significantly increase traffic or customer parking needs. The expanded use will increase parking demand for sales units. 8. Water is provided to the site by the City. There does not appear to be a significant increase in the demand for water service due to this project. 9. Sanitary sewage treatment is handled on-site. It is unclear what the sizing of this system is,how the parking for sales units will affect the operation of this system, where stormwater will be directed and how that will affect the system and whether or not the system can handle the increased demand from the added uses. 10. The proposed use is not within the shoreland zone and is not visible from public waters. Planning Commission Direction: The Planning Commission can cite specific findings of fact to support an approval or denial of the Conditional Use Permit. The Planning Commission can also table the request to gather additional information. Staff Recommendations: There are only a couple of minor outstanding issues that can be resolved by placing appropriate conditions on the issuance of a permit. Thus,we recommend that this application be approved with consideration given to the following conditions: 1. Employee parking,customer parking and parking of sales units shall occur within the bituminous paved surface. There shall be no parking in green space areas or on public right-of-way. 2. The applicant shall provide an evaluation of the sewage treatment system from a licensed designer indicating that the system is sized adequately for the total demand for the site. 3. Grading of the paved surfaces shall be towards the indicated retention area. Direct runoff of stormwater to adjacent parcels is prohibited. The retention area shall be maintained to provide sufficient capacity for stormwater runoff from the site. October 2004 Staff Report Page 4