Council approves concept direction for four-story Tri-Care Self Storage near Garland Lane

The Maple Grove City Council on Dec. 1 directed the city attorney to draft a resolution approving the Tri-Care Self Storage planned unit development concept stage plan, allowing the applicant to proceed toward development-stage review and funding applications.

City Planner Jesse Corrow described the proposal for a four-story, 121,700-square-foot, temperature-controlled indoor storage facility on a 2.07-acre vacant parcel in the Tri-Care addition near Garland Lane North. The site is in an area planned for mixed use, adjacent to townhomes, apartment buildings and other retail. Planning staff said the proposed indoor storage use is consistent with the mixed-use guidance for the area and that the Planning Commission had recommended approval.

Councilmember Rachelle Johnson said she was concerned about the appearance of a four-story, square building in a residential area and asked what could be done to improve architecture. Greg Hayes of Ebert Companies said the Garland Lane project used "Class A building materials" and would be constructed of brick and glass with variations in wall widths and four-sided architecture to improve appearance.

The motion directing the city attorney to draft an approval resolution included a condition that the applicant address outstanding comments in staff memorandums from Community & Economic Development, Engineering and Fire Department reviews. The motion passed 5-0.

Staff noted park dedication requirements will be handled by the Park and Recreation Board as part of the development review process.