Agenda - Planning Commission - 04/21/2005 - Special Meeting

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Preliminary Plat and Preliminary Site Plan Review: Ramsey Town Center 6th Addition April 15, 2005 Page 4 of 5 lB. Townhouse Design/Architectural Standards: The development is proposing two different attached housing styles (row house units and back to back units). Elevations of the proposed buildings, identifying exterior treatment of materials and color have been provided and found to be acceptable. The proposed units are similar to the units approved in Ramsey Town Center 2''a Addition. [9. Off-Street Parking Re..quirements: The TC-4 District requires 2 off-street parking spaces- fbr each unit; this requirement is met with the 20 foot wide driveways. Some parking is allowed on public streets, however, this may not be adequate for overflow parking. There are approximately 15 overflow parking spaces provided on the southerly block. Consideration should be given to providing some parking nodes for overflow parking, without the loss of greenspace pockets, on the two northerly blocks as no parking is allowed on Bunker Lake Blvd. 20. Driveway Leng, th/Width: Under the TC-4b Zoning Code, driveways for the back to back units must be 25 feet in length, as measured from the building front to the edge of the sidewalk. Driveways for the row townhomes must be at least 20 feet in length. Alt of the units comply with this requirement. The maximum' driveway width permitted for each unit is 20.¥¢et. 2l. ~Lan.dscaping: The landscaping plan, dated March 28, 2005, includes a mixture of deciduous trees and shrubs which have a cumulative canopy cover that exceeds the minimum requirements. All species included in the planting schedule are considered to be acceptable or preferred and are adequately sized. However, there are no coniferous plants. At a minimum, 25% of the required trees must consist of c0niferous species. Most of the species included in this plan have at least a moderate tolerance of deicing salts. '['he Blue Beech and ironwood are two exceptions. However, these are located adjacent to' areas of low speeds, which should reduce possible salt spray injury.' Nonetheless, some consideration should be given to utilizing an additional species or two that are can tolerate salt spray and soil salt. Finally, there are a couple of points of concern regarding the general location of street trees. First, no trees can be planted within thirty-five (35) feet of the back of curb of any intersecting street or within the vision clearance triangle as defined in Section 9.11.01 (General Requirements) Subd. 7, whichever restriction is greater. While no plantings appear to be within these areas, it is something that will require attention in the field when the trees are installed. Additionally, no tree shall be planted within fifteen (15) feet of a hydrant. If a conflict does exist, the spacing of the trees may need to be adjusted or a tree(s) may need to be. eliminated from the planting schedule. The City must be informed of.and approve any proposed changes prior to the work being conducted. A revised plan must be submitted. At a minimum, it should incorporate coniferous plantings into the design and include planting specifications for both deciduous and coniferous trees and sin:ubs. 45