Minutes - Council Work Session - 01/21/2003

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Principal Planner Trudgeon reviewed the proposed setbacks of the development and the options the Council has as it relates to density transition. He explained that if they were to require a landscaping buffer there would have to be a 25-foot buffer between the new units and the existing homes because it would be medium density adjacent to low density. There is adequate space in the development to provide the buffer. Mayor Gamec inquired if there would be an opportunity to move the cottages back five feet with the elimination of the trail. Councilmember Elvig stated that if they are passing the safety test for fire and safety they should maintain as much of a buffer as possible. He noted that he would like the developer to meet with the Environmental Policy Task Force to discuss the buffer and the planting of additional trees. Paul Kangas, Loucks and Associates, explained that they are trying to develop something new in the community by using smaller lots and making them very marketable. What concerned him is that some of the things they hoped to provide has been talked about being eliminated from the plan. He stated that the initial sketch plan war a better layout appearance wise, but does not work with larger public right-of-way. They have dropped the unit count from 129 to 115 to reduce the density. They are trying to be good neighbors by addressing .the concerns of the existing neighbors. Surprisingly they are finding that trails are being seen as negative, when normally they are viewed as a positive. Residents were concerned about the narrower lots so they widened them. Mr. Kangas explained that he has been given a mandate from the owners group to get at least 115 units on the property. Some of the issues with wider street~ and wider rights-of-ways pushes the units to the perimeter and some of the things that make it a quality development is the narrower streets and boulevards. Nobody disputes the fact that the development has to be safe but there are many examples of communities that have narrower streets. The development was modeled after Liberty on the Lakes in Stillwater that has the narrow streets. Mayor Gamec noted that it seemed as if everyone was comfortable with the 115 unitS being proposed. Principal Planner Trudgeon noted that the wider roads do not impact the number of units. The only thing t. hat might impact the number of units is the connection to Tungsten Street. Mr. Kangas stated that with the wider street width requirement there is land that is lost. He stated that they are asking the Council to take a creative look at the layout of the development by using the planned unit development process. The homeowner's association agreements can be written so that the private streets are maintained by the homeowners association. They are not proposing anything that would be a detriment to the community. Mayor Gamec inquired if they were to compromise on a 30 foot wide road wOuld staff be comfortable with that. City Council/January 21, 2003 Page 6 of 9