Commission approves easement vacation, materials variance and proof-of-parking for Hansen Companies facility

The Planning Commission approved multiple requests from Hansen Companies (applicant Adam Hansen) related to a proposed 82,500-square-foot manufacturing facility with 6,000 square feet of office space in the citys industrial park.

Staff said the project requires combining four parcels and vacating interior easements so a single building can be constructed across the former lot lines; the commission opened and closed the public hearing with no public comment and approved the resolution to vacate the easements (Resolution 2024-027).

On parking surfaces, Hansen proposed paving truck/loading areas in concrete but using an aggregate/crushed surface (granite/asphalt crushed) for much of the remainder of the site. Staff noted the code requires hard surfaces for off-street and loading spaces; because the proposal deviates from that standard, the applicant sought a variance. The commission considered loading-dock locations and confirmed that truck dock pads would be concrete while other areas would remain alternative material. Commissioners moved and approved findings of fact and the variance (finding of fact 20-24-028) to allow the alternative surfacing as proposed.

On parking counts, staff explained the code requires 3 spaces per 1,000 square feet of manufacturing plus 1 per 300 square feet of office, which staff calculated would total 266 spaces for the Hansen site. Staff showed the site could accommodate 218 total spaces as currently designed; Hansen proposed constructing 72 spaces initially and reserving green-space areas for future infill if growth requires additional paved parking. Staff and commissioners discussed current staffing (staff recorded 61 employees peak, applicant clarified day-shift peaks are approximately 55 and predicted incremental growth over several years) and contingency plans to add hard-surfaced spaces in later phases if needed. The commission approved the proof-of-parking plan with the expectation that conditions or staged construction will ensure no prolonged oversubscription of parking.

Finally, staff reviewed the citys 25% material break requirement for public-facing elevations; Hansen proposed a smooth precast concrete building with painted color breaks and architectural steel panel accents. Staff concluded the proposed treatment met the ordinances intent and the commission voted to accept staffs interpretation and allow the alternative materials.

Next steps: staff will coordinate site-plan review and timelines with the applicant and will condition future permits on staged parking improvements if growth requires additional spaces.