Agenda - Council - 02/13/2001 - Laserfiche WebLink

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I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I The project area abuts two single family rural residential lots on the extreme east and a single- family urban residential neighborhood on the southeast and south boundaries. To the north of the subject property is an existing business development (Bills Superette, Ramsey Clinic and Pharmacy). The proposed townhome units will contain two bedrooms, however thirty-four (34) units will have the option to have a legal third bedroom downstairs. The townhome units meet or exceed the minimum floor area, garage area, and setback requirements established in the R-3 district. The pedest~:an/bike path is proposed to be continued along the east side of State Highway #47. The City passed an ordinance on August 22, 2000 requiring a five-foot sidewalk on at least one side of each through street in all urban subdivisions. The site plan indicates that a sidewalk will be located along the east side of Cobalt Street, south side of 152"d Lane, and west side of Barium Street. MnDot submitted a letter of comment stating that the existing'driveway from the farmstead property must be removed. The site plan indicates that there will be no access points from Highway #47. At the February 6 Planning CorrurSssion meeting, Grant Rademacher indicated that Rademacher Companies is not willing to dedicate right of access along T.H. #47 adjacent to Outlot A of the proposed plat. The developer will need to obtain a permit from the Lower Rum River Water Management Organization and is responsible in obtaining any other permits or licenses required from other regulatory agencies. City Code requires exterior wall finishes to consist of face brick, natural stone, pre-cast concrete, finished metal frame paneling, or glass. The exterior materials proposed for all the multi-family units is maintenance free siding and asphalt shingles. The maintenance free siding is a deviation from the R-3 Urban Residential standards and will require City Council approval. The landscaping plan is acceptable and meets City standards. The R-3 Urban Residential district requires a 15-foot screening buffer between the proposed multi-family development and the existing residential developments located to the east, south east, and south of the project area. The site plan is proposing a 15-foot screening buffer in the form of various trees and shrubs. Recommendation: The Planning Commission recommended that the City Council adopt the enclosed resolution and grant preliminary plat and site plan approval of Orchard Hills. The proposed resolution establishes that the draft density ordinance: a) recognizes that the configuration of a parcel may make compliance with the City Charter requirement for density transitioning impractical; b) proposes to exempt properties from density transitioning if they were zoned for multi-family residential prior to the Charter amendment; c) provides the option for persons owning land adjacent to a development project to waive the density transition requirements if they feel it is not necessary. -221-