Agenda - Council - 11/26/2002 - Laserfiche WebLink

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I I I I I I I I I i i I I ! I I I I I additional screening, Mr. Packer stated he would prefer to be responsible for planting the landscaping and will fence off the trees to assure they are protected and not damaged during construction. He stated he would prefer to be responsible for that than to have the builder or someone else responsible. Commissioners Johnson and Watson accepted a friendly amendment to the motion to indicate that staff will' work with the developer to come up with appropriate supplement to the Tree Preservation Plan and Density Plan prior to Council consideration within the limits discussed. Motion Carried. Voting Yes: Chairperson Nixt, Commissioners Johnson, Watson, Brauer, Kociscak, and Reeve. Voting No: None. Absent: None. Case #6: Proposed Ordinance to Amend Maximum Number of Permitted Units per Building in R-2 Residential District : Principal Planner Trudgeon explained that City Code states multiple dwelling units (including duplexes, twinhomes, townhomes, and apartment buildings) in the R-2 Residential District shall contain no more than 10 units per building. Allstate Development LLC is requesting an amendment to increase the number of housing units that can be contained in a building located in the R-2 District. Allstate Development would like to construct a townhome development with 16- unit buildings as part of the Villas at Meadow Point subdivision. The previous ordinance governing medium density residential district had no cap on the number of units allowed per building. The new high-density district (R-3) has no cap on the number of units per building. He stated there has been a lot of discussion about meeting certain criteria and noted the information provided showing ten unit and sixteen unit buildings. He stated staff is trying to make equal comparisons with regard to medium density of other communities. He noted the range that is considered by other communities and the information from surrounding cities that shows 'they define medium and high-density areas differently, so it is difficult to find a perfect "apple to apple" comparison. Coon Rapids and Elk River, communities that define medium density similar to Ramsey (7 units per acre), allow for only 8-unit buildings. Previous townhome developments approved in Ramsey have not exceeded 12 units per building. He reviewed a list of the townhome units in Ramsey and the maximum number of units in each building. Principal Planner Trudgeon noted that the Planning Commission, at their August 29, 2002 meeting, instructed staff to dra~ an ordinance that would allow for multi-family structures to contain up to 16 dwelling units in the R-2 Zoning District as long as the development meets certain design standards. On October 10, 2002, the Planning Commission reviewed a draft ordinance allowing up to 16 units per building in R-2 Zoning Districts through a Conditional Use Permit process that required certain design standards. He reviewed the green space considerations, noting the requirement has been increased. In response to the October 10, 2002 Planning Commission, staff has revised the draft ordinance. The highlights of the revised ordinance were noted as follows: Each multi-unit structure provides at least two underground parking stalls for each unit. The use of surface parking for residents is prohibited. On-street guest parking is permitted. , Each multi-unit structure shall contain elevators. , Each multi-unit structure shall be comprised of high-quality maintenance free exterior materials (not aluminum or vinyl siding); all exteriors shall be comprised of at least 25% brick, stone, or stucco materials; and have varied and unique architectural features. Planning Commission/November 7, 2002 Page 12 of 16 -185-