HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-31-18 PIanning Commission
Minutes
Special Meeting
July 31, 2018
1. Call to Order
Chair Rotty called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Members Present: Rotty, Franceschelli, Tesky
Members Absent: Bjorge, Kuyper
Also Present: Tony Wippler, Planning Manager
2. Discussion
a. Farmington Gymnastics Center Site Plan
The applicant is Grand Projects and they have presented a site plan for Farmington
Gymnastics Center to be located at 315 Elm Street. This is a permitted use in the B-2
district. The building will be 8,120 sq. ft. which takes up the southern two thirds of the
lot with a parking lot located at the north end which will be accessed by the alley between
Third and Fourth Streets. There would be a front setback off of Elm Street of two feet,
the side adjacent to EZ Auto would be five feet. There will be a zero foot setback from
the western property line and 52 feet from the rear property line adjacent to the alley.
The applicant would like to relocate the westerly property line. There are building code
requirements that come into play with a zero foot setback related to openings and fire
ratings. The applicant would like to relocate the line through a waiver of plat and lot split
and then a lot combination. The line would shift five feet in order to meet building code
requirements. Staff and the applicant are working on that process. As the site is in the B-
2 zoning district, it is exempt from the off-street parking requirements. They will have a
parking lot on the north side containing nine stalls. The parking lot is required to have a
minimum ten foot non-paved area between the parking lot and the eastern property line.
Currently it sits at five feet, so the parking lot will need to be shifted five feet which will
be a condition of approval of the site plan.
There is also the need for a cross-access easement or some other type of agreement
specifically with the parking lot that is adjacent to the west of the site that is being
constructed as part of the daycare facility that will go in the building at the corner of
Third and Elm Streets. If the gymnastics center uses that,being it is on a separate lot,
there should be an agreement or easement, to ensure those users do have access to that
parking area. The alley between Third and Fourth Streets will be paved as part of this
development of the gymnastics center and the daycare due to the amount of traffic. Staff
is working with the applicant to accomplish the alley paving.
The applicant will need to submit a landscape plan in accordance with city code. Details
of the types of shrubs, etc. are required. Staff recommends approval of the site plan
subject to:
1. A sign permit shall be required for any signage to be placed on site.
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July 31,2018
Page 2
2. The applicant shall obtain all necessary building permits that may be required for the
establishment of the proposed use.
3. Submission and approval of a complete landscape plan as outlined in Section 10-6-
10(C).
4. Revising the setback of the parking lot to meet the ten foot non-paved area
requirement between the parking lot and the eastern property line.
5. Contingent upon engineering comments.
The applicant,Mr. Larry White, is prepared to move the parking lot five feet to the west.
Regarding moving the property line, the applicant has started that process. It will not affect
the daycare project. There has been a change in the building plans which includes there will
not be an exterior stair on the east side of the building. That stair will be inside with a door at
the grade level for an emergency exit and a sidewalk going back to the parking lot. The
building will be stucco and have the main entrance on the north side. The building is
arranged so that in the future it could be arranged into separate suites. Regarding the cross-
easement on the parking,the applicant would be reluctant to see that as a condition since the
ordinance does not require that. Between the tenant and landlord there would be some type
of agreement. There are several tenants involved with the parking area including, ISD 192,
Linn's Carpet, the daycare and the gymnastics center.
Commissioner Franceschelli liked the looks of the building. He was concerned about the
mezzanine and didn't see anything for ADA compliance. The applicant noted the occupancy
load does not require handicap access to that level. The mezzanine is mainly for the pre-
school gymnastics program.
Commissioner Tesky also liked the exterior of the building and the placement of windows for
future use. She asked about the color of the building. The applicant has not selected colors
yet; it would be compatible with the building next to it.
Chair Rotty asked about the time schedule for the gymnastics center. Mr. White stated
materials will come the third week of August and the plan is to start removing trees and
digging for the foundation. Framing should be up in a month and another month to get it
enclosed. They would like to be in early October.
Regarding the daycare schedule,they will start working this week. This should also be ready
in October. Signage has not been determined; that is up to the tenant. There isn't room for a
monument sign. Chair Rotty asked about the setback and asked if Linn's Carpet and the
daycare are set back a little further than the gymnastics center will be. They are set back two
feet further. Mr. White noted they started with the building even, but with getting the
parking lot and sidewalk in the back and the playground that space was needed and it will not
be noticeable.
Chair Rotty asked if there was enough room on the west side for access for future tenants.
Mr. White stated with the lot line moved five feet, that will provide room for a sidewalk.
Chair Rotty didn't want to encumber the gymnastics with getting an easement, but he asked
about the size of the gymnastics classes. Mr. White stated their daily activities are mostly
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July 31,2018
Page 3
drop off or kids walking in. There are some events. The diversity on the schedule is that the
daycare would close late afternoon and the gymnastics program starts up about the same
time. There will be people parking there that go to either the daycare, gymnastics center or
the carpet store. The landlord will work that out with the tenants. Chair Rotty noted some
parents do stay with younger children for gymnastics. There was another facility in town
where an agreement was required. At a minimum staff would like to have the applicant share
with the city what is included in their lease agreements as far as sharing the parking lot. This
will be included in the conditions.
MOTION by Franceschelli, second by Tesky to approve the Farmington Gymnastics site
plan subject to the above conditions including the addition of the parking lot agreement in the
lease. APIF, MOTION CARRIED.
3. Adjourn
MOTION by Tesky second by Francesehelli to adjourn at 7:31 p.m. APIF, MOTION
CARRIED.
Respectfully submitted,
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Cynthia Muller
Administrative Assistant