The Planning Commission approved two waivers requested by the developer of a Kroger-anchored site along Winchester Road, allowing bicycle parking to be distributed across the site rather than concentrated within 20 feet of a primary entrance, and permitting a wider at-grade commercial entrance than the standard drawing specifies.

Chris Chaney, planning staff, explained the requests and the applicable standards. "Article 16-12B of the zoning ordinance ... states where bicycle parking is provided externally such parking shall be located adjacent to the building and within 20 feet of a building main entrance," Chaney said, summarizing the code language and noting that, because of the project's scale, meeting that rule in a single location would require roughly 1,000 square feet of concentrated bicycle parking.

The applicant, represented by Brandon Gross, said the development will provide the required number of bicycle parking spaces (the applicant proposed 54) but distribute them in four locations around the site and add a sheltered amenity near the fueling station that could serve as a future bus stop. "We will move the bike parking closer to the building at this location ... and we are agreeable to the condition that at least 50% of our bike parks are within 20 feet of an entrance," Gross said.

On the second waiver, the applicant requested an at-grade entrance 40 feet wide to accommodate an ingress lane plus separate left and right outbound lanes and to allow delivery trucks adequate turning room. The LFUCG standard limits commercial entrances to 30 feet with a concrete apron; staff and traffic engineering recommended approval with an added condition requiring a raised pedestrian crossing and review by traffic engineering and the bicycle-pedestrian planner. David (traffic engineer) explained the operational rationale: allowing the wider entrance will prevent delivery vehicles from having to cross into oncoming or adjacent lanes during normal turning movements and accommodates anticipated future intersection alignment.

Why it matters: the waivers affect pedestrian access, bicycle accommodation and vehicle circulation for a major retail site and require mitigation to protect pedestrian safety and maintain acceptable traffic operations along Winchester Road.

Outcome and conditions: the commission approved both waiver requests with staff-recommended conditions, including adding four bicycle spaces to meet the total required number, ensuring no less than 50% of bicycle parking is proximate to entrances to the satisfaction of the bicycle-pedestrian planner, installing the raised pedestrian crossing to the approval of the bicycle-pedestrian planner and traffic engineering, and that the entrance design be reviewed as part of any state encroachment agreement for Winchester Road. Commissioner Forrester moved to approve PLN W A V 25-2 as amended with legal language about the future 4-way intersection; Commissioner Wirth seconded. The motion carried unanimously.

The applicant also said it will produce a traffic study required by the state for the Winchester Road encroachment agreement; that corridor-level study will be performed by the MPO and the state beginning in January, the applicant said. The applicant further stated stormwater controls (including underground facilities and pervious pavers) will be sized to avoid worsening off-site drainage and will meet LFUCG stormwater management requirements.