HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Memo dated 10/21E IDIANkr.-e
IDPHO
October 21, 2014
MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor & City Council
FROM: Sonya Watters, Associate City Planner
CC: City Clerk, John Overton
RE: Polaris Pre -School at Fairview Lakes (AP -14-002)
Mayor Tammy de Weerd
City Council Members:
Keith Bird
Brad Hoaglun
Charles Rountree
David Zaremba
At the City Council meeting on October 7`", the applicant requested an appeal of the Commission's
decision on CUP -14-010 in regard to condition of approval #1.4d which states, "Revise the design of
the parking along the main drive aisle leading into the site from E. Fairview Avenue to mirror that on
the west wide of the drive aisle so that parked vehicles aren't backing out into the main access drive
aisle. Include a planter island with a sidewalk along the east side of the main drive aisle for safe
pedestrian access to and from the site via Fairview Avenue."
After hearing staffs and emergency services concerns regarding the design of the drive aisle from
Fairview to the buildings at the north end of the site, the applicant requested continuance in order to
modify the site plan to address those concerns. The concern was the "main" drive aisle feel and
alignment which allowed cars to enter the site at a higher rate of speed without any means of traffic
calming while cars might be backing out of adjacent parking spaces into the drive aisle.
The revised plan (attached) depicts an offset in the drive aisle to the north at the first "T" intersection;
the drive aisle from Fairview also includes a turn lane to the west at the first "T". Staff and the Police
Department feel this eliminates the appearance of a "main" drive aisle to the buildings to the north and
will slow cars down at the "T" and allow them to choose where they want to turn into the site.
The revised plan also depicts a pedestrian walkway in the middle of the two rows of parking north of
the drive aisle entering the site providing pedestrian connecting from Fairview to Carol Street. Staff
recommends the walkway is widened to 9 feet to allow for 2 feet of vehicle overhang for each row
of parking; or, wheel stops are provided for each space in each row of parking to prevent
overhang; or, 2 feet of landscaping is added on each side of the sidewalk for vehicle overhang so
that the walkway is not obstructed, and crosswalks are painted across the drive Aisles.