Minutes - Planning Commission - 02/05/2004

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right-of-way of East Ramsey Parkway and west of Ramsey Boulevard. The preliminary plat shows a total of 103 total housing units. Assistant Community Development Director Trudgeon indicated the property is currently zoned Town Center 4b Neighborhood District. The TC-4b District allows for residential uses at a net density of up to 15 units per acre. He indicated that the plan shows a net density of 11.5 units per net acre. The TC-4b District allows for town homes and condominiums. He advised the plat shows 77 town homes in 16 separate buildings. The 22 condominiums are located in three buildings. He indicated detailed review of the plans and elevations of these units will be done as part of the site plan approval process. Assistant Community Development Director Trudgeon stated in reviewing the layout of the lots and units as part of the sketch plan review, Staff had several observations about the lot configuration as part of the sketch plan review. He indicated Staff suggested that the Developer look at relocating the open space contained in the middle of the western units. He indicated that the Planning Commission and City Council determined the western green space was acceptable subject to the provision of additional green space with the eastern units. He advised additional green space has been provided between the back to back condominium units in the form of trails and plantings. He indicated Staff did have concern with the grades of the northern green spaces. The applicant has submitted a new plan which needs further review but Staff believes those concerns have been rectified. Assistant Community Development Director Trudgeon stated that from the unit elevations provided it appears that the individual units will have architectural articulations and the units themselves will vary in setbacks from the sidewalk in each building alleviating a concern raised as part of the sketch plan review. Assistant Community Development Director Trudgeon indicated that it was discussed at the December 2003 Planning Commission meeting that setbacks for the units will be measured from the back of the sidewalk to the unit. He stated the preliminary plat shows all of the row house town home units meeting this setback with the exception of Lots 8, 9, and 10 of Block 1. He indicated that due to the curve in the right-of-way of East Ramsey Parkway the sidewalk was further than 20 feet from the front of the units. Again this has been rectified on the new plan and Staff finds the applicants proposal acceptable. Assistant Community Development Director Trudgeon advised that a concern raised by Staff at the December Planning Commission meeting was the length of the proposed driveways. After discussion with the Developer and the City Council, Staff finds the following situation acceptable. For units that have a front door on a public street, driveways less than 25 feet will be allowed. He reviewed which lots would have driveways less than 25 feet, noting that Lots 26 thru 43, Block 1, while technically having front doors on Ramsey Boulevard, will be required to have driveways at least 25 feet in length since it is undesirable to have visitors and/or residents parking on Ramsey Boulevard. He indicated that all driveways for the condominiums will meet the 25-foot length requirement. Assistant Community Development Director Trudgeon noted Planning Commission/February 5, 2004 Page 8 of 18