CY01-26

Request of HTG Architects, on behalf of the owner, Blaze Credit Union, for a conditional use permit to allow a drive through with driving lanes between the building and the property frontage in the Highway Gateway Overlay District; for a certificate of design compliance for the construction of a new, approximately 6,830 square foot structure in the Highway Gateway Overlay District; for a preliminary and final plat review of Blaze Mankato Addition; and for the vacation of a portion of a 10’ utility easement located between Lots 1 and 2, Block 1, as per the recorded plat of Mills Addition to Mankato. The subject properties are described as Lot 2, Block 1 and the north 132.20 feet of Lot 1, Block 1, Mills Addition to Mankato (BEC PID R010909227005 and R010909227003, 1831 Premier Drive). 

The applicant is Blaze Credit Union, with permission of the property owner. 

The applicant is seeking a conditional use permit to allow a drive through with driving lanes between the building and the property frontage in the Highway Gateway Overlay District;a certificate of design compliance for the construction of a new, approximately 6,830 square foot structure in the Highway Gateway Overlay District; a preliminary and final plat review of Blaze Mankato Addition; and the vacation of a portion of a 10’ utility easement located between Lots 1 and 2, Block 1, as per the recorded plat of Mills Addition to Mankato.

The subject properties are addressed at 1831 Premier Drive and are described as Lot 2, Block 1 and the north 132.20 feet of Lot 1, Block 1, Mills Addition to Mankato. The Blue Earth County Parcel Identification Numbers are R010909227005 and R010909227003. 

The parcels are currently vacant land. 

The subject properties are zoned B-3, Highway Commercial. 

There are no known environmentally sensitive areas on the subject site. 

Public utilities are available to serve the development. 

Mankato City Code Chapter 10, Article V, Division 9, related to the Highway Gateway Overlay District standards and the Certificate of Design Compliance standards can be found at this link: https://library.municode.com/mn/mankato/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_CH10LAUSDE_ARTVCODI_DIV9GTGAOVDI_SDIVHGHIGAOVDI 

Mankato City Code related to subdivisions can be found in Chapter 10, Article XII at this link: https://library.municode.com/mn/mankato/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_CH10LAUSDE_ARTXIISUDEREPL

Mankato City Charter, Chapter 9, Sec. 10.04b, related to Vacation of Easements on private property can be found at this link: https://library.municode.com/mn/mankato/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTICH_CH10MIPR_S10.04.BVAEAPRPR  

HTG Architects, on behalf Blaze Credit Union, with permission of the property owner, has requested a conditional use permit to allow a drive-through with driving lanes between the building and the property frontage in the Highway Gateway Overlay District; a certificate of design compliance for the construction of a new, approximately 6,830 square foot structure in the Highway Gateway Overlay District; a preliminary and final plat review of Blaze Mankato Addition; and the vacation of a portion of a 10’ utility easement located between Lots 1 and 2, Block 1, as per the recorded plat of Mills Addition to Mankato.

The property has an address of 1831 Premier Drive and is legally described as Lot 2, Block 1 and the north 132.20 feet of Lot 1, Block 1, Mills Addition to Mankato. Blue Earth County parcel identification numbers for the parcels are R010909227005 and R010909227003. 

Conditional Use Permit/Certificate of Design Compliance
The project narrative outlines that Blaze Credit Union is proposing the construction of a new branch office and contact center to provide access to financial services for existing and potential new members in the City of Mankato and surrounding communities.

Site plans depict a new 5,050 square foot credit union building and an attached 1,780 square foot contact center located centrally on the two existing parcels. Two access points from Premier Drive are shown. A bio-filtration stormwater pond is shown on the northern side of the development. Fifty-seven parking stalls are provided on the site, and three proposed drive-through lanes are shown, along with a bypass lane. A sidewalk connection is provided from the existing paved trail along Highway 22 to the building. 

Floor plans for the proposed structure show a lobby, teller spaces, offices, and other accessory spaces typical of a financial institution. 

Exterior elevations show a mixture of face brick, stone, exterior insulation finish systems (EIFS), glass/glazing systems, standing seam and asphalt roofing materials. 

Preliminary and Final Plat
The applicant is requesting a re-plat of the existing two parcels into one new parcel. The proposed Blaze Mankato Addition plat is a one-lot, one-block subdivision that encompasses 2.44 acres. 

Vacation
The request includes the vacation of an existing private utility easement located between the underlying lots. The request seeks to vacate the existing 10' easement in order to allow the construction of the new building over this area.