Provide Feedback for Site Plan and Final Plat for Gigi's Salon (Project #20-140)

The purpose of this case is to review a proposal from Gigi's Salon (the "Applicant") for a final plat and site plan review for a proposed salon on the corner of Zeolite Street, Veterans Drive, and Sunwood Drive. The proposed site is currently owned by the City of Ramsey and the Applicant has an active purchase agreement with the City. The Subject Property is approximately 3.14 acres with 1.42 acres being platted as a buildable lot for Gigi's Salon. The remaining acreage will be platted as two separate outlots, one for the City to maintain for a well, and one for a buildable lot to sell in the future.

A public hearing was noticed for this meeting. Staff has since moved this agenda item to the consent agenda with the recommendation to table the formal public hearing until the next meeting. This case is now meant as an update and an opportunity to confirm the direction of Staff moving forward with project review. Staff's intended direction is to:

• Direct the Applicant to update plan sheets to conform with City Code requirements, COR Design Framework guidelines, and Staff comments
• Direct the Applicant to ensure the architectural requirements are those required by the COR Design Framework, including high quality materials, stone, increased window openings, and 4 sided architecture.

The City attempted to notify Property Owners, as reflected in the Anoka County Property Records, within 700 feet of the Subject Property of the request. The Public Hearing Notice was also properly posted in the Anoka County UnionHerald, the City's Official Newsletter. 

 

Proposed Architecture
The Applicant is proposing block walls with stone entrances and a metal roof. This does not meet the intent or requirements of the COR Design Framework. Staff is recommending some changes to the elevations before Staff is comfortable moving this forward to City Council. There are also changes needed to the plan sheets, including updating the landscape and grading plan, adding sidewalks to the public roads, and other minimal comments.

Please see the attached Staff Review Letter and proposed elevations for more information.

Alternatives
Alternative 1: Table the project until the Applicant has time to revise plan sheets for conformity with Staff comments, including updating landscape plan, street and lighting plan, grading plan, and architectural elevations. Staff is supportive of this alternative.

Alternative 2: Motion to recommend the City Council adopt the Resolution to approve the final plat and site plan with contingencies for Staff to work with the Applicant to revise the plan sheets to conform with City Code. As part of this recommendation, Staff would request that the Planning Commission is specific on the architectural requirements that they would like to see on this site. Specifically, Staff is requesting feedback on block walls, a metal roof, and reduced window openings. If the Planning Commission is open to being flexible on these items, the City Council would still need to approve the deviations from the COR Design Framework.

The Applicant is responsible for all costs associated with project review. Please note that this project does include a land transaction with the City, as the entire site is currently owned by the City of Ramsey.

Staff recommends Alternative 1, which includes tabling until the next meeting to allow the Applicant time to revise the architectural elevations and plan sheets in accordance with Planning Commission's recommendation.

Motion to table proposal until Applicant can revise architectural elevations and plan sheets for full Planning Commission review.