09/09/2004 Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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r. , W, would change the character of the lot. An 18-foot drive would be wide enough for an emergency accesc poinic. The board questioned how emergency vehicles would get to a fire burning in building A if traffic jams were along Brookpark Road and Columbia Road. The Fire Chief indicated that due to the size of the building A, it is required to have a sprinkler system within the building which would be effective up to 99% in keeping the fire from spreading. The fire hydrants have been reviewed for placement and the main concern would be medical emergencies such as getting onto the site in a timely manner and a blockage of the main access point would escalate any medical emergency. Saving lives would be the top priority before the buildings. Engineer Durbin iiidicated that city ordinance 1161 shown on the plails to be used. The city require: concrete or a.sphalt. 11 (A) does not allow the proposed pavers that are emergency access points to be constructed with Assistant Law Director O'Malley indicated that if an emergency drive of this type is used it would require a variance, unless the applicants follow code. Under chapter 1161.10, parking lots with more than 20 parking spaces are required to have two driveways. However, Planning Commission can recommend a single driveway with two, tlu-ee or even four lanes in lieu oftwo access points depending on the size and coiif'iguration of the site, traffic patterns and density. Therefore it is within Planning Commissioii's autliority to grant a waiver for one access driveway. Ms. Wenger indicated that there are other options for access along Great Northern Blvd that the applicants can address. Bob Berryhill reviewed that Caniegie has diligently been trying to acquire the second access point from ODOT and ai-e lobbying Columbus to acquire the second access point. Planning Director and the Fire Chief have written letters on their behalf trying to get both access points approved. Sta.te manual states there is to be only one access point on the limited highway per property. Furthermore the traffic shidy that was coiiducted indicated that the site could work properly with one form of ingress and egress. They have asked the traffic consultant to readdress and modify the study so it can be submitted to Columbus for a ruling. The applicants would prefer to have access drives on Brookpark Road only. Although any construction within the right-of-way requires ODOT approval they could pave or concrete a pad for the safety vehicles to gain access along Brookpark Road, but they would have to jump the curb. The board asked if there was any discussion with the landowners to the west of the site (former Mountain Jacks site) about an easement for a drive through their site. The applicants have talked to the owner who has indicated they would approve anything the tenant would approve. They have spoken to the proposed tenants and the applicants feel that they would be open to discussions. Applicants stated tliat they would be willing to put a drive in place up to the property line. Applicants then suggested that Planning Commission request the tenants when they come before them to create or agree to use their site as an access point. The board would rather see an emergency access at the west end of the site then the east side. Assistant Building Commissioner Rymarczyk indicated that if a drive is added to the west side of the site it would require a variance as it would be within a setback requirement. Fire Chief Klecan voiced that he would prefer an emergency access along Brookpark Road in line with building A. The board stated that they would also prefer an emergency access point along Broolcpark Road. They encouraged the applicants to continue speaking with the tenants to the west but could noi: ask or order them to allow an access point onto their land. The applicants stated that they would continue trying to receive the approval for the access point on Brookpark as well as pursue an emergency access to the west. Planning Commission requested that the Planning Director and Fire Chief Klecan compose new letters to ODOT pleading for the approval of the second access point along Brookpark Road. Planning Commission at the recommendation of the Assistant Law Director requestecl that Council draft a resolution for the applicant's second access point onto Brookpark Road. Mr. Skoulis, the homeowner's association president, indicated that Columbia road could not handle an access point as the traffic volume now is too great. The residents do not want to see sections of the mounds and ferices removed as it would encourage pedestrians to mingle in the backyards of the residential homes. The residents would prefer the emergency access along Brookpark Road. They would like to encourage the applicants to request ODOT allow an emergency drive onto Brookpark 2