Agenda - Planning Commission - 09/15/2003 - Special Meeting

Home

14 critical. The "setback" requirements anticipate a minimum and maximum setback for the front yard. For the TC-3 District, the minimum setback is zero and the maximum is 15 feet. The side yard setback in the TC-3 District is 10 feet and the rear yard is 30 feet. The code does not indicate whether ~this is minimum or a maximum. In Staff's opinion', a %uild to" setback with a minimum and maximum setback is more appropriate in the Town Center Core area and for developments in the TC-2 and -3 that will be fronting the main road through the Town Center, Sunwood Drive. Given those circumstances, Staff feels that the shown setbacks are acceptable but would like to discuss the matter with the Planning Commission. For the record, the front yard setback (the northern side of the building) is located 60 ~'eet t¥om the lot line. The side yards (east and west) are 220 feet and 100 feet respectively. The rear yard (south) is 40 feet. The grading, drainage, landscaping, and utility plans are generally acceptable subject to the comments contained in the Staff Review Letter dated September 12, 2003 The proposed TC-3 District requires buildings to be _-: stories in height. You are proposing a two-story building for the school. In accordance with stated goals of the Town Center project, the applicant has submitted detailed information regarding architectur~ of the school building (see Project Narrative). The applicant is proposing to utilize earth tone precast concrete panels on the south, west, and east facades. The facades will utilize I6 inch by 16 inch scoring patterns and exposed ag~egate to accent the panels. Tl~e north side of the building, which' will serve as the "fi'ont door" of the school, will incorporate brick, split bce concrete block, and glass in the exterior. The applicant is showing an angled canopy that helps define the entrance and gives, the elevation some angles to add diversity to the wide span of the building. The building will have two glass-enclosed stairwells on the north elevation wh/ch, besides providing an aesthetically pleasipg component of the building, also provides for variety in the building span. In reviewing the architecture for the proposed building, Staff has used the latest draft of the Town Center Development Guidelines. Staff has included detailed Comments regarding the application of the Development Guidelines to the site plan in the Staff Review Letter. The Site Plan substantially meets the Guidelines in most areas, but there are several areas of discrepancy where the Site Plan only partially meet the standards outlined in the Guidelines. The following is a discussion of these items: The Guideline's statement about distinct architectural feature at street imersections is hard to apply in the school's case since the building will not be located right on a street corner. However, staff would like to explore the possibility of adding some architectural element on ali four comers to attempt to meet the intent of Guidelines. The Guidelines state that facades should express recessed doors and windows. The addition of the canopies over the entryways provides the appearance of recessed doors and windows. Staff would like to explore some possibilities to add more recessed windows along the east and west elevations due to their visibility, from Ramsey Blvd. and Peridot St. respectively. The Guidelines state that the fagade along primary streets should have at least 60% transparency. The School has frontage along two primary streets, Ramsey