HomeMy WebLinkAbout11A 7404 Lamar Avenue Proposed Restaurant – Minor Subdivision, Rezoning, Site Plan Review, and VarianceCottage· Grove tpJ. V'toiverity Meet
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February 3, 2023
Wayne Butt
7405 Lamar Avenue South
Cottage Grove, MN 55016
Dear Mr. Butt,
This letter is .in regard to a project to be located at 7404 Lamar Avenue South. Initially, on December 27,
2022, you submitted applications for a Minor Subdivision and Site Pian Review. At that time, the initial
submittal did not include all the required applications to support the proposed minor subdivision, site
plan, and usej therefore, the submitted applications were rejected and deemed incomplete. (see
attached letter rejecting the applications) On January 17, 2023 you submitted additional planning
applications for the project that included a rezoning and variances with some supporting
documentation. This letter is being sent to notify you that your applications for your project, including a
minor subdivision, rezoning, site plan review and variances are still deemed incomplete and are being
rejected. The following items are needed to complete your applications:
1.Site Plan Review
a.Site statistics tabulation of pertinent s_ite data shall be provided on the site plan to
ensure compliance with zoning requirements.
i.Existing and proposed zoning district
ii, Gross site acreage/minimum lot size in the zoning district
iii.Total stormwater management acreage
iv.Percent green space
v.Percent impervious (7400 Lamar)
vi.Percent pervious
vii.Existing, proposed and required p;:irking
vi.ii.Dimensions of sidewalks (sidewalk to parking are<!)
2.Landscaping Plan -Scale drawing of proposed landscaping for the site based upon a survey of
property lines with:
a._Indication of scale and north point
b.Name and alignment of proposed and existing adjacent on-site streets
c.Location of all proposed and existing utility easements & rights-of�way
d.Location of existing and proposed buildings, parking areas; water
bodies; proposed sidewalks and trails
e.Existing and proposed topographic contours at two-foot intervals
f.Details of proposed planting beds and foundation plantings
g.D.elineation of both $Odded and seeded areas
h.Location and identification of proposed landsc,!pe or manmade materials used to
provide screening from adjacent and neighboring properties
i.Location. and identification of existing trees
j.Details of fences, tie walls, planting boxes, retaining walls, berms and other landscape
lmprovements in legible scale
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k.Location of landscape islands and planter beds with identification of plant materials
used
I.Planting schedule. A table containing the common names and botanical names, size of
plant materials, root specifications, quantities, and special planting instructions
m.Location, size and species of all proposed plant materials
n.Locations, size and species of all existing plant materials over 4" in diameter proposed to
satisfy landscape requirements
o.Table of plant materials
p.Planting details
3.Lighting Plan
a.Location of all exterior lighting fixtures
b.Illumination pattern and data on lighting fixtures
c.Details of lighting fixtures
d.Relationship to lighting on abutting properties
Additional initial review comments are provided below. Please note that engineering staff is currently
reviewing the submittal and will be providing additional comments.
1.Narrative
a.The rezoning narrative submitted on January 17, 2023, states that the proposed use of
the facility located at 7404 Lamar Avenue will be a restaurant/catering establishment.
However, the narrative for site plan review submitted on December 27, 2022, states
that the proposed used of the facility is for a "catering establishment." The narratives
must be revised for consistency.
b.Please note that a catering use, as defined, is an establishment that prepares food for
off-site consumption. A restaurant is defined as an establishment open to the public
where food and or drink is prepared and offered to the public. To be considered a
restaurant, at least fifty percent (50%) of the seating shall be available to the public
during hours of operation.
4.Floor Plans
a.The December 27, 2022, floor plans do not show a food preparation area for the
proposed uses. Both a restaurant and catering establishment require a food preparation
area. Please revise the floor plans for the proposed use(s).
b.The submitted floor plan shows seating for 90 persons but the site plan review narrative
states seating for 120. These must be revised for consistency.
c.Please note that if you intend to have seating over 100, the building will need to be
sprinkled.
5.Site Plan
a.The centerline of Lamar Avenue on the submitted site plan is not depicted correctly
therefore the parking stalls proposed in the right of way of Lamar Avenue impact the
travel lane. Correct the depiction.
6.Variance
a.City staff met with you at City Hall on March 22, 2022, where you presented your
proposal. At that time City staff shared concerns about parking the site with the patio
designed as shown. Following the meeting, staff provided your design team with the
underlaying zoning district standards. Instead of amending your proposal to meet zoning
standards, you chose to submit a Permit application to construct the patio as presented.
Due to the construction of the patio, it now interferes with the placement of a compliant
driveway. In order to support a variance request, one of the required findings must
include the following: The plight of the landowner is due to circumstances unique to the
property and that are not created by the landowner {11-2-5.F.3.b.) Because you created
the reason for the variance, staff cannot support this variance for the driveway and will
recommend denial. We strongly advise you to find an alternative option for the driveway
so that it can be compliant, which may require you to remove the deck or redevelop the
property to the south, which you also own.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Sincerely,
Mike Mrosla
Senior Planner
cc: Kori land, City Attorney
Emily Schmitz, Interim Community Development Director
Ryan Burfeind, Public Works Director
Enclosures: Planning Application Rejection Letter Dated January 10, 2023