Commission approves site plan amendment for Energy Conservatory training-center addition at 403 Hayward Avenue North

The City of Oakdale Planning Commission on Sept. 4 voted to recommend approval of a site plan amendment that would add a 3,525-square-foot training center to the Energy Conservatory building at 403 Hayward Avenue North.

Planning staff said the existing building is about 25,000 square feet and that a footprint change greater than 10% requires a site plan amendment under city code; the proposed addition would be located on the building’s southeast corner and would replace a portion of turf and parking. Staff noted the existing site has 97 parking spaces and the addition would remove four spaces, leaving 93 — still above the city’s requirement of 69 spaces. As an industrial building, at least 50% of the addition’s exterior materials must be class 1; staff said the proposed glass and brick veneer meet that requirement. Staff recommended approval subject to conditions including approval of civil construction plans by the city engineer, provision of rooftop-utility-screening details and any required approvals from outside agencies.

Bill Graber, one of the owners, told the commission the narrative in the staff report accurately described the project and that the addition connects to an existing internal training center. Commissioners asked why the addition was sited on the southeast corner; Graber said the location ties to the existing interior training center.

After discussion the commission moved, seconded and approved the recommendation; no opposition was recorded on the transcript. Staff noted there will be no new freestanding parking lot lights proposed and that trash will continue to be handled internally. The recommendation will proceed to the City Council as required by local process.