Agenda - Planning Commission - 02/03/2005

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Ramsey Municipal Parking Facility- Site plan January 28, 2005 - Page 2 of 3 setback is zero and the maximum is 5 feet wi.th at least 60% of the from fagade within the maximum setback area. ' The parking structure is an accessory use to the Ramsey Municipal Center. Along Sunwood Drive, the Ramsey Town Center plan shows a commercial/retail building, on a separate lot in front Of the parking structure. Once the new lot is created, the Parking structure will no longer have direct frontage onto Sunwood Dr. At this point, it is uncertain when this structure will be built and the lot created, but Staff believes it will occur within the next two years. The design of the future commercial/retail building will need to adhere to required setbacks._ Staff believes that front yard setback should not apply to the municipal parking structure since it is an accessory use and the fact that a new lot will be created in front of the parking structure and thus removing frontage of the building from Sunwood Dr. Utilities: The facility will be served by municipal water facilities for sprinkling purposes. Staffhas reviewed the preliminary utility plans and has no comments at this time. Further r6view of the plan will occur at time of final site plan submittal. : Landscaping: The City has received a landscaping plan, dated January 19, 2005, that provides a much generalized view of the landscaping. Due to;the restricted amount of pervious area on the site, the limited number of trees is appropriate to ensure adequate growing space. The three (3) species that are included on this plan are acceptable. However, a greater variety of species must be utilized that will provide a more diverse compliment of plantingS, Furthermore, due to.the large amount of impervious surt2ces, wood chip mulch should be used oPpose~d to the river rock mulch (this will help with soil temperatures and water retention). A revised plan must be submitted. At a minimum, the plan must include a species palette, for both trees and shrubs, which outlines the following: Latin name, common name, rooting method (ball & burlap, container, etc), size (DBH for deciduous trees and height for evergreens), any notable . comments, and it must also include planting details for both trees and sln'ubs. Again; due to the spatial limitations of the site, an emphasis should be placed on species that are considered to be preferred as outlined in the Ramsey Tree Book. Architectural Standards: In accordance with stated goals of the Town Center project, detailed infbrmation regarding the architecture has been submitted fbr the Ramsey Municipal Parking Facility. The Town Center :Feclmical AdviSory Committee met on January 12, 2005 to review the architecture of the building, h~ general, the TCTAC liked the: building, recognizing its utilitarian use. They liked the look of the ~'warehouse" style and thought it was appropriate. The structure will consist of precast concrete infill panels placed between columns. Cultured stone will be used on the first level to provide ~br a more pleasing aesthetic at the ground ievel. The most prominent feature of the structure will be the glass stairwells. They will be prominently Placed at the comers of the structure. Besides serving a t'unctio~al purpose, they. will also be a focal point of'the structure, especially at night when the stair wells are lit up. The TCTAC suggested some minor design changes to the stairWells in order improve '!~,. :~::~>::,c~ .~1",-1,,,.,~ ~:!¢s.,2~_~. ch,,er:~ll, tine TCTAC liked the desian of the structure and recommended that