Approve Request for Site Plan Review for a Building Addition on the Property Located at 6815 McKinley Street NW; Case of Sharp & Associates

The applicant is proposing an 11,659 square foot addition to the south elevation of an existing building located at 6815 McKinley Street NW. The addition will accommodate warehousing needs for Cullinan Rigging, which currently operates on this site. The addition meets all required setbacks except for the thirty-five (35) foot front yard setback. The Planning Commission approved a variance for a twenty-two (22) foot setback along McKinley St at their June 6, 2013 meeting.

All property owners within 350 feet of the Subject Property were notified of the Public Hearing for the variance via Standard US Mail. A Notice of Public Hearing regarding the variance was also published in the official newspaper.

The property is a corner lot and abuts both Ebony Street to the east and McKinley Street to the south. The building addition is to the south portion of the building, which is the front elevation facing McKinley Street NW. The main building entry at the southeast corner will remain as is. The exterior finish of the proposed addition will match the exterior building materials, colors, windows and accenting band on the building's existing southern elevation. Staff is supportive of the proposed building elevation.

The proposed building addition will require twelve (12) parking stalls. The original site plan provided twenty-eight (28) stalls with an additional thirty (30) stalls shown as proof of parking in the northwest corner of the site. These stalls would not be initially installed but available in the event additional parking is needed. With the proof of parking stalls, the site meets the required fifty-eight (58) parking stalls with the building addition. Staff is supportive of the proof of parking plan.

The proposed addition will require the relocation of an existing storm sewer line. The proposed relocation of this line, as well as the storm water pond calculations, have been reviewed and are acceptable.

As previously mentioned, the Planning Commission approved a variance to the required front yard setback along McKinley St at their June 6, 2013 meeting.  The Planning Commission determined that all three (3) factors (reasonableness, uniqueness and essential character) required by State Statute when considering a variance were satisfied.  There were no verbal or written comments submitted as part of the Public Hearing.

Alternative #1: Approve the Site Plan as proposed.  The property configuration provided some challenges to the proposed building expansion.  However, with the approved variance for a reduced setback along McKinley St, the site plan as proposed provides an existing, growing Ramsey business to expand on site and accommodate their needs.  Staff was supportive of the variance and is supportive of the proposed site plan.

Alternative #2: Deny the site plan. The proposed site plan complies with the zoning standards of the City (with the approved variance) and there does not appear to be any reason to deny this request.

The Planning Commission recommends approval of the proposed site plan.

All costs associated with processing of the Application are the responsibility of the Applicant.

Motion to approve the Site Plan contingent upon compliance with the Staff Report dated May 31, 2013, revised June 21, 2013 and execution of a Development Permit.