Minutes - Planning Commission - 04/09/2015

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Matt Kuker, PSD, appreciated staff's assistance and for providing a thorough report on the preliminary plat and major subdivision. He provided further comment on the design of the apartment complex with the Planning Commission. He noted that parking was not being counted on off site. He indicated the building could be shifted slightly to address staff's concerns. He reported that a community garden green space was located on the site. He explained there would be great color variations on the building. Commissioner VanScoy reported this building was located in a mixed use zoning district. He questioned what other uses were proposed for the site. Mr. Kuker indicated he was only proposing to locate an apartment building on the property. Community Development Director Gladhill clarified that there would be a variety of uses on the block. He noted the Ramsey Office Plaza was located on this block. Commissioner VanScoy requested further clarification from staff at a future meeting on how the City was defining a block. He believed that the apartment complex was over parked and questioned why the applicant was proposing to have more than two parking spaces per apartment. He recalled that the intent of the COR was to have shared parking. Community Development Director Gladhill stated the 44 tuck under garages were not included in the surface parking. He discussed the parking situation further and noted the site was just under the City's requirements with its surface lot. Staff was concerned with the level of surface parking within this development and the Commission could make a recommendation regarding this matter. Mr. Kuker indicated he would be willing to eliminate one row of parking to create additional green space. Community Development Director Gladhill reported that he would work with the applicant to address the parking issue. He briefly discussed the expense of a parking structure. Commissioner Bauer believed that this was a fair compromise. Commissioner Andrusko asked if the developer would be connecting his site to the adjacent park or providing any retail amenitieson the property. Mr. Kuker believed it would be difficult to draw a retailer to his property given the fact it was off the main drive and if a hotel was built, the retailer would have zero visibility. He reported that if the demand was there, he would be open to the possibility. Commissioner Brauer was in favor of holding a joint meeting with the Council to further discuss The COR and how it was developing. He wanted to see the COR develop successfully. Planning Commission/April 9, 2015 Page 11of16