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HomeMy WebLinkAboutZ-7028 Staff AnalysisMay 21, 2001 Item No.: 3 File No. Owner: Address: Description: Zoned: Variance Requested: Justification: Present Use of Proper: proposed Use of Property Staff Report: A. Public Works Issues: Z-7028 MNT Investments 220 Commerce Street Long Legal UU A variance is requested from the development criteria of Article V, Division 6, Chapter 36 to permit a drive-through facility to take directed access from a primary street. The Mixed Use nature of this development creates the need for the variance. The drive-through is not highly visible. Warehouse buildings and surface parking 8 -Story Mixed Use development and 2 -level parking garage With Building Permit: 1. Water main and drainage box under parking deck would have to be approved to remain in place. Contact public works to discuss above issues. 2. Provide design of street conforming to "MSP" (Master Street Plan). Construct one-half street improvement to these streets including 5 -foot sidewalks with planned development. 3. Repair or replace any curb and gutter or sidewalk that is damaged in the public right-of-way prior to occupancy. 4. Property frontage needs to have the sidewalks and ramps brought up to the current ADA standards. May 21, 2001 Item No.: 3 (Cont.) 5_ Plans of all work in right-of-way shall be submitted for approval prior to start of work. B. Landsca a Review: The plan submitted does not allow for the minimum 6.7 -foot wide landscape strip along the Interstate 30 access ramp. Deletion of this landscape strip will require a variance by the City Beautiful Commission. C. Staff Analysis: MNT Investments proposes to construct an 8 -story mixed-use development and a 2 -level parking garage on the UU zoned property located at 220 Commerce Street. The property currently contains a surface parking lot and 2 warehouse buildings. The proposed development conforms to the development criteria of the new Urban Use zoning district with one exception. A bank drive-through facility is proposed for a portion of the ground floor. The drive- through will consist of a single lane, taking access off of Commerce Street. Commerce Street is defined as a "primary street" by the UU regulations and drive-through facilities are prohibited from being visible from or taking access from a primary street. Staff is supportive of the requested variance. The proposed drive through consists of a single lane, "tucked" between the north wall of the proposed multi -story building and the retaining wall supporting a freeway entrance ramp. The drive-through is further hidden by the entrance ramp overpass over Commerce Street. The drive-through is located in an area now used as a driveway. Staff believes the overwhelming positives of this proposed development easily outweigh the minor variance for the drive-through. There appear to be outstanding issues that must be resolved concerning the rights-of-way of Rock Street and an alley. Portions of each were abandoned in conjunction with the interstate development in the early -mid 19601s. Portions of each appear to still be open (although not physically open) and those portions that were abandoned were most likely retained for easements. These issues can be resolved by the applicant through the Board of Directors. 2 May 21, 2001 Item No.: 3 (Cont.) D. Staff Recommendation: Staff recommends approval of the requested variance to allow a single -lane drive-through to take access off of Commerce Street subject to compliance with the following conditions: 1. Compliance with Public Works Comments including any variance or waiver as may be granted by the Board of Directors or the Director of Public Works. 2. Compliance with the City's Landscape Ordinance including any variance or waiver as may be granted by the City Beautiful Commission. BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT: (MAY 21, 2001) The applicant was present. There were no objectors present. Staff presented the item and a recommendation of approval subject to compliance with the conditions outlined in the "Staff Recommendation" above. The applicant offered no additional comments. The item was placed on the Consent Agenda and approved as recommended by staff. The vote was 5 ayes, 0 noes and 0 absent. 3