Planning commission approves Valvoline service-center site plan for Auburndale outlot with conditions

The Salina Planning Commission approved the final site plan May 6 for a proposed Valvoline quick-service center on an Auburndale outlot adjacent to the Lowe’s development, subject to a set of staff conditions.

The proposed building would be 1,462 square feet with two service bays, on a lot between the Daimaru property and the Holiday Inn on the east side of South Ninth Street. Access will be from the Auburndale ring road that serves the Lowe’s outlots; there is no direct access to South Ninth Street. The operation is designed as a drive-through quick service: customers are expected to remain in vehicles while being serviced, and the site plan also includes employee/customer parking.

Site statistics presented to the commission: approximately 12,000 square feet of parking/paving area, about 1,000 square feet of sidewalk, and nearly 15,000 square feet of green space. The plan shows nine off-street parking spaces (including one van-accessible stall); staff noted the parking requirement for an automobile service center of one space per employee plus two spaces per bay, which in this case requires eight spaces and the plan provides nine. Landscaping as proposed exceeds minimum requirements; staff noted 3,874 square feet of landscaped area proposed versus 2,856 required, with ornamental trees along South Ninth in keeping with prior commission preferences because overhead power lines make shade trees less desirable at the curb.

Building materials described include a brick wainscot and decorative brick columns with EIFS (synthetic stucco) body panels and glass overhead bay doors. The applicant proposed four wall signs; the staff report noted that the Auburndale outlot signage rules allow a single pole sign not to exceed 120 square feet and wall signs consistent with C-3 regulations; sign details will be submitted as a separate sign-permit application.

Staff recommended approval subject to conditions, which the commission included in its motion: the applicant must provide a consolidated final development plan sheet that contains all required plan information; signage limitations consistent with the Auburndale outlot; submission of runoff calculations for the city engineer’s review; submission of KDHE stormwater permit/notice of intent and a local land-disturbance permit; substantial conformance to the reviewed plans; and issuance of a building permit within 18 months of site-plan approval.

Jeff Bates and Eddie Mansing (civil team representatives) participated online for the applicant and told the commission they had no additional comments beyond the staff presentation. A commissioner moved to approve application Z98-81 with the six staff recommendations (and a noted typographical correction); the motion carried.

Because this is a final action by the Planning Commission for a property previously rezoned/platted, no further City Commission approval is required for the site plan, though standard building, stormwater and KDHE permits remain prerequisites to construction and occupancy.