PC 041019 - Laserfiche WebLink

Chair Allen said either way, with 27 feet, 35 feet or 45 feet, there can be only one vehicle entering and one vehicle exiting. The argument mentioned by Mr. Tassano made sense to her that when narrowing the driveway, it forces people to drive more carefully. She said 45 feet seems very wide and she worries that providing enough room for three cars might create more confusion. Commissioner Balch agreed; however, he believed a truck might project out of the loading zone and would potentially be cutting off 10 feet of the driveway. His argument was that giving 45 feet allows them to shift that two-car movement closer to the intersection, versus dictating a specific spot; it can occur within a 35-foot or 27-foot area, but this is not to say any of those are inadequate. Commissioner O'Connor reflected on the situation that he's observed at the Safeway parking lot on Santa Rita Road where vehicles come off of Valley Avenue and make the right turn and there are vehicles trying to make a right turn into the Safeway parking lot; the right turn into the parking lot is too tight and traffic stops and backs up on Santa Rita Road. Chair Allen cited the options; one is to leave the discussion as it stands, second is to take a vote and third would be for Mr. Tassano to provide guidance. Mr. Tassano clarified that they have a number of driveways and the typical standard at gas stations is usually 40 feet wide. He explained higher speed movements are seen at the 40-foot than at the 35-foot. The Santa Rita Road location is a narrow driveway, and one thing that does not ring true to him is that when leaving Hopyard Road drivers are going into the free right turn lane and the only collision risk is people trying to get into the northern-most driveway. When the application came forward, his first thought was to close that driveway and then he could approve whatever is needed. Unfortunately, this cannot be done because tanker trucks cannot enter and exit; he thinks 35 feet would be adequate. Mr. Beaudin said ultimately it is up to the Commission to determine the width of the driveway and in creating a pedestrian- and bike-friendly environment. The goal is to create the environment to balance multi-modal transportation and slowing traffic down. In comparison to a standard driveway, this is more than adequate to enter/exit a commercial location. Chair Allen took a straw poll. Commissioner Balch said staff has made a great argument and could leave it at 35 feet. Chair Allen said 35 feet would be her preference and 45 feet would be her added 'side number.' Commissioner O'Connor said he would accept 40 feet but was also agreeable with 35 feet. Commissioner Brown said he would agree with Chair Allen and said his preference is 35 feet but could stretch to 40 feet. He would not vote the project down either way. He said he liked the suggestion of grouping the vacuuming, water and air services further back in the carwash. He referred to the landscaping area on the south side by the carwash and asked if there was any interest to squeeze another parking space in the corner. Planning Commission Minutes Page 11 of 15 April 10, 2019 to southbound Hopyard Road is backing up as people are trying to get in and off the road and into this site. Therefore, narrowing the driveway will create an hourglass for those entering and exiting the driveway/site. Planning Commission Minutes Page 10 of 15 April 10, 2019 setback and landscaping coming all the way to the street, but were not agreeable to a fence. He said people who worship in the church do park and walk through the area and they will continue to do this unless they cannot any longer. Police, post office, Amazon and FedEx Planning Commission Minutes Page 6 of 15 April 10, 2019