Agenda - Planning Commission - 02/06/2020

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District, and would be allowed if the properties to the north were zoned Commercial (which is how they function). During Sketch Plan Review, the Planning Commission was supportive of this request and confirmed by the City Council. Landscaping is still required in this reduced buffer area per City Code. The number of plantings required for transition purposes is less than the required amount. However, the reduced buffer area width may impact the number of survivable plantings. Staff does believe that additional plantings should be required, especially based on public feedback thus far. However, Staff is open to a compromise based on Planning Commission Direction. Staff is also requesting additional information on architectural design. Items to consider to increase architectural standards of the site, especially considering the reduced buffer width for density transitioning: • Public street facing improvements for homes on south portion of lot (abutting 147th Ln) including front porch, door, and typical "front of home" look • Required porches of at least 48 square feet on the front of homes • Inclusion of stone or other high quality materials • Rear yard architectural improvements for adjacent neighbors City Staff has requested from the Applicant: • 20 foot buffer more densely planted and shown under easement to conserve plantings in rear yards • Updated landscaping plan • Exhibit showing why the 45 foot transition buffer can't work, or why a 30 foot transition can't work onsite (this is standard when requesting a deviance from our City Code) . Alternatively, explore offering additional plantings on abutting lots • 4 sided architectural elevations • Information on similar projects — photos would be helpful, and any other photos of similar projects City Staff would like feedback from the Planning Commission on this requirement and requested information. Streets The Applicant has proposed a private street running east -west through the development. This street is required to be at least 24 feet wide with no parking signs on both sides of the street. Bulk Standards The proposal appears to meet the requirements for density, overall lot coverage, driveway length, house size, and setbacks. Wetlands There are significant wetlands that have been delineated and will need to be encumbered with drainage and utility easement entirely, as well as a 16.5 foot setback from the edge of the wetland that will need to be covered by easement. The Applicant is aware of the wetland onsite and has noted the 16.5 foot wetland setback. Architecture The Applicant is proposing modular -constructed homes, which are built off -site in two pieces and are connected onsite. The homes would be slab -on -grade homes with garages and porches constructed onsite. The Applicant has noted that the modular -style construction allows for a lower price point, under $300,000, which provides an affordable option for first-time homebuyers and those looking to downsize. They use a midwestern company based out of Wisconsin for construction. This is an acceptable construction method so long as the exterior design requirements are met. Generally, the hope is that these units will look similar to surrounding homes. The home is affixed to a foundation, per City Code requirements. City Code Requirements • Section 117-112: R-2 Bulk Standards • Section 117-588: Major Plat Requirements