Agenda - Planning Commission - 12/04/2001

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· CASE #: ~ REQUEST FOR PRELIMINARY PLAT REVIEW OF BIRCH HILL LODGES CASE OF ORRIN THOMPSON HOMES By: Megan Wald, Community Development Assistant Background: Orrin Thompson Homes has applied for preliminary plat review of a townhome development that is proposing to construct 84 multi-family structures. The property is generally located south of Sunwood Drive and west of State Highway #47.' The following items are enclosed for your review: a) b) c) d) e) c) Site location map Preliminary Plat Planning Commission meeting minutes dated November 5, 2001 Park and Recreation minutes dated November 15, 2001 Letter from MnDot dated November 13, 2001 City Staff Review Letter dated November 30, 2001 Notification: State Law requires properties within 350-feet of the subject property receive public notification of the preliminary plat. Observations: The property is currently zoned B-1 Business. The applicant is requesting a rezoning of the property to R-3U Residential. The Planning Commission recommended that the City Council approve the rezoning request at their November 5, 2001 meeting. If the property were to be rezoned to' R-3U, the property could be develOped 'to a density of 7 units an acre. The March 2001 Draft Comprehensive Plan shows this area being designated for medium density residential. The property is approximately 14.08 acres in size. The preliminary plat shows a net density of 6 units per acre. The proposed townhome structures consist of eight, ten, and twelve units ranging in size from 9,248 square feet, 11,016 square feet, and 12,784 square feet, respectively. The preliminary plat is proposing a public street (Cobalt Street) through the development that will connect to a private street (that will contain a public access easement) located on the Lord of Life property. The site plan is proposing private streets from the townhouse structures to Cobalt Street. The preliminary plat is indicating an 'eight-foot bituminous pedestrian trail along the southern and western boundary line. During the sketch plan review of Birch Hill Lodges, the Planning Commission recommended the trail be placed along the southern boundary line and connect to the sidewalk along Cobalt Street. It is Staff's understanding that the trail located along the western boundary line was left on the plat by error. The developer is proposing one trail running along the southern boundary line connecting to the sidewalk along Cobalt Street. The Parks and Utilities Supervisor is recommending that the Proposed sidewalk along Cobalt Street be relocated