Planning Commission clears Scale Model Supplies move to Connelly Avenue, waives traffic study

The Arden Hills Planning Commission on Feb. 4 recommended approval of a site plan review and associated variances to allow Scale Model Supplies to relocate from Saint Paul to 3628 Connelly Avenue.

Senior Planner Elena Fransen described the proposal: the applicant plans roughly 7,500 square feet of retail sales space and approximately 1,800 square feet for office and storage within a building previously used for light industrial and warehousing (a nonconforming use since 1959). The city’s parking table requires 50 off-street spaces for the proposed retail area; the applicant proposed to provide 24 spaces and requested variances from design and parking-location standards.

Fransen said the applicant provided data on existing customer patterns, reporting a maximum of 13 parked vehicles observed at the current location and an average of eight. Owner Bruce Gardner told the commission he typically operates with four employees on site and does not expect peak parking demand to exceed 22 vehicles; he said 24 spaces would be adequate. The application also proposes modest exterior changes to improve access, remove three spaces that encroach on the right of way, and add landscaped areas.

Commissioners generally viewed the application as a net improvement for the property, citing site cleanup and reinvestment; questions focused on runoff, landscaping constraints and whether a traffic study was necessary. Staff said a grading and erosion permit would be required for land disturbances over 2,500 square feet and that the applicant must obtain any needed county or watershed permits.

Chair Joshua Collins moved and Commissioner Ben Lindau seconded a motion recommending approval of the site plan and variances and adding a condition to waive the traffic study. The motion carried unanimously (7-0).