05/28/2008 Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Ms. Meredith agrees with Mr. Malone concerning the landscape plan. She is disappointed with the lack of detail and the plan to clear cut everything on the site. She felt the landscape buffer along Columbia should be more substantial than grass. She asked if the developers would consider continuing the sidewalk onto Columbia Road. Mr. Mann agreed. Ms. Meredith requested clarification on the curb cuts. Mr. Collins answered there would be two, both off of Country Club and that he recommends removing the 24' aisle. Ms. Meredith asked if retail businesses would be located in the hotel. Mr. Conway said it is acceptable to have an accessory store in the hotel. Ms. Williamson agreed with comments concerning the landscape plan and the addition of sidewalks on Columbia Road. Mr. Lee Charboneau said he disagrees with having more hotels due to increases in crime and prostitution. There should not be a 24-hour business across from residential properties. Hotels are planned for Stearns Road and there is room near Moen. Any kind of business built near residences should have a buffer. He would like a deed restriction stating the portion of the land not used could not be developed in the future. Mr. Lasko asked if rezoning for this proposal was required. Mr. O'Malley said the project fits the zoning requirements. Council Member Larry Orlowski asked whether both dry basins are for the hotel's use or if the second is for future expansion. Mr. Lasko answered the second basin is to accommodate potential future use. Mr. Orlowski said the residents would prefer all conifer trees such as Blue Spruce to be planted in a staggered pattern with mounding for a buffer. Mr. Malone said he would not have a problem with conifers, but for an aesthetic point of view, not strictly conifers. Evergreens could be interspersed with deciduous trees. Whatever is done should wrap around onto Country Club for consistency. Mr. Orlowski said the residents want a buffer that grows full at the ground and to a considerable height. Concerning the second dry basin, Mr. Lasko questioned why it must be constructed now if it is for an unknown future use. Mr. Mann said the exact volume needed was not known. They wanted to show Mr. Collins the entire site can be accommodated for storm water development. Mr. Rerko said he would not want to cut large trees down for the second basin. Mr. Lasko said if there is no intended future use at this time, and depending on the tree survey results, the dry basins should be bigger, shallower, or cut down in size. Mr. Ronald Rodgers would like to know if the Hampton Inn will be a union facility. Mr. Lasko said the matter is beyond the scope of the commission. Ms. Sharon Senal was concerned about the possibility of prostitution increasing as a result of the project. She also felt the dry basin would be unattractive. Ms. Meredith was concerned that creating a dense buffer on Columbia could provide a place for illegal activities to occur unnoticed. Mr. Charboneau said he has observed these activities from his property. Management representation indicated the Hampton Inn is not the type of establishment that would attract this activity. If detected, they would discourage that activity in any way possible. They agreed to install a landscape buffer to shield the residents. Mr. Lasko reviewed the need for additional information and plan revisions. There will be only two curb cuts onto Country Club Boulevard. The applicant will address curbing, ADA