12/17/1988 Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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1 ` PLANNING COMMISSiON DECEMBER 27, 1988 PAGE 2 3) Bentley Coe Plaza (formerly Lorain Retail Strip Center), south side of Lorain Road between Coe Avenue and Bentley Drive. Proposal to construct a shopping center. Tabled at meeting of December 13, 1988. Mr. Frank, the developer, presented an expanded site plan as requested previously and a revised site plan showing two drives on Lorain Road and one each on Bentley and Coe to service the rear of the building. He advised that since meeting with the city forester, they have reduced parking from 232 spaces to 197 spaces, eliminating 13 spaces in the front of the plaza to preserve existing large trees and to add green area, spaces in the rear employee parking lot (also to be used for overflow parkino) have been reduced from 113 to 91 (these 22 spaces will be landbanked for future use if needed) thus increasing green area adjacent to homes on Bentley. The revised plans submitted this evening have not been submitted to the Build- ing Commissioner for his review. Assistant City Engineer McDermott stated that they had verified the zoning and the property is entirely commercial, and that complete drainage plan has not been submitted for review at this point. Mr. Thomas read the Police Department report which stated that: "tidith the curb cuts as they are and no driveway around the building cruisers -will be forced to exit onto the side streets when theywish to complete a building check. I believe there will also be trucks that enter the wrong drive and will have to go onto the street to get to the other side of the building. This will increase the truck traffic on the residential street at least far the first 500 feet. The single drive on Lorain should be far enough from eaeh intersection as not to cause traffic problems. Unali.le to determine where the drive on the Nortti side of Lorain is loeated. This could cause a problem with cars pulling into the common turn lane to make left turns. The Fire Department had no objection to the plan. Mr. Mahler stated that, based on the drawing he received from the Building Department, the proposed Lauren Hill drive across Lorain Road would be directly across from Bentley Drive. Mr. Frank pointed out that if they put a dr•ive along the side of the building as suggested they would have to eliminate the proposed landscaping. Mr. Wendell, the forester, submitted his report and his plan for saving some trees (his suggestions are ineluded in the revised plan). In response to Mr. Thomas's questions, Mr. Wendell advised that the tree on the east side of the building might not survive after construction, and also that the southwest corner of the property is wooded and should be left totally alone. In reference to installing a drive around the building; it was determined that there was 25 feet from the property line to the east side of the building. Mr. Bierman who is concerned about using residential streets to service the rear of the build- ing, pointed out that if the length of the building were reduced, the trees could be saved and a driveway could be installed. Mr. Frank responded that this site could accommodate a 50,000 to 60,000 square foot building, and they were proposing a 36,600 square foot building; that other centers have drives on residential streets; and the area is zoned for commercial use. In reference to the Comnission's concerns about traffic, Mr. Frank stated that this center does not open until after the morning rush hour which, according to their traffic.survey, is the most congested period; and doubted that the police would have a problem going on to a side street to check the rear of the building. The Commission does not believe that the morning rush hour is the only concern. Mr. Thomas stated that at this point they are merely discussing alternatives. In response to questions,